Evening Star Newspaper, May 12, 1940, Page 9

Séfefy Charges Made Against Parking Plaza = Elevator Answered Critic of Device Modifies Remarks on Type of Lift Used At a meeting of the Washington Safety Society Wednesday night, John A. Dickinson, elevator spe- clalist with the United States Bureau of Standards, declared that the ele- vator—a vertical, endless belt-type lift—installed for parking employes at the Star Parking Plaza, Tenth and E streets N.W.,, was an unsafe type of lift. Mr. Dickinson, speaking during a discussion on the “lack” of a safety code in the District at the dinner meeting at the Government Print- ing Office, said that he understood that Col. John W, Oehmann, District building inspector, had denied the application for installation of the elevator. However, Mr. Dickinson continued, the owners of the ga- rage, The Evening Star Newspaper Co., appealed to the Commissioners from Col. Oehmann’s ruling. Power of the Press. The District Commissioners, Mr. Dickinson said, took the position that they did not wish to “offend” The Star owners and granted the request for installing the elevator. Mr. Dickinson said the Commis- sioners’ approval of the elevator was an illustration of the “bludgeoning power” of the press and that no other firm in the city would have been permitted to install such a lift. The speaker added that if a per- son were killed on the elevator in the future “I am going to see to it that some one is indicted for man- slaughter.” When Mr. Dickinson completed his remarks, William T. Cameron, president of the Safety Society. called to The Star reporter who was present that “here is something that will make you a story.” Another person at the meeting remarked “put it in headlines” and Mr. Dickinson followed with the state- ment, “I dare you to.” Another said: “Well, you might | write the story, but getting it printed is another thing, isn't it?” | Facts Are Investigated. When the above story was sub- mitted by The Star reporter cover- ing the meeting, a reporter was as- signed to investigate the facts about the issuance of the permit. | Mr. Dickinson saw the elevator in question for the first time yes-| terday when he was requested bv| The Star to visit the parking garage at Tenth and E streets and examine ft. Mr. Dickinson explained that he was familiar with operation of devices of this kind from past ex- perience in the elevator field. After inspecting the lift, Mr. Dickinson said that he was convinced that every possible precaution for its safe operation and maintenance had been taken. He declared he believed issuance of the permit was unwise, however, mainly on the ground that similar elevators might be allowed In buildings where supervision would not be as strict. *It is not so much that I believe this particular setup to be unduly hazardous,” said Mr. Dickinson. “My objection is due primarily to the fact that I think a precedent had been set, and that a backward step had been taken by the Commis- sioners in interpretation of the Dis- trict's elevator regulations. “I have been told that the build- ing inspectors had, on three previ- ous occasions, refused applications for permits to install similar lifts.” Modifies Remarks. Asked if these previous applica- tions were for the same device that was installed in the Star Plaza and if the same safety measures were to be taken for their operation, Mr. Dickinson replied that he did not know. Modifying his remarks made at the Safety Society meeting, Mr. Dick- inson stated that he had not meant to imply that there was anything {llegal or “high-pressure” in the appeal to the Commissioners fol- Jowing Col. Oehmann's denial of the original application for a permit. He pointed out that Capt. Hugh P. Oram, District director of inspec- tions, had assured him that “The Star has always been co-operative with the District government in every way.” Capt. Oram is ill and could not be reached for comment. In planning construction of the < Star Parking Plaza, Charles H. Ruth, mechanicai superintendent of The Star, concluded after study of ga- rages here and elsewhere that a “Nordyke” service elevator of the endless vertical belt type would be preferable to an ordinary elevator for conveying attendants to and from upper floors. Users Were Questioned. Not only would this special type elevator make possible quicker serv- ice, Mr. Ruth said, but question- naires addressed to a number of users of the device (covering the equivalent of 18 years of experience fn garages in Indiana, Minnesota, Tilinois, Texas and Ohio) revealed no serious accident and but one minor accident and brought replies {ndicating universal approval of the device both as to safety and effi- efency. Mr. Ruth, on June 21, 1939, applied for permission to install this special type of elevator in the Star Parking Plaza. Two days later, after consulting with Mr. Dickinson, Col. Oehmann replied by letter that the proposal could not be approved because of a recently adopted regulation pro- hibiting man lifts “for passenger elevator service.” In reviewing the case yesterday, Col. Oehmann said that his primary concern in the matter was con- formity with his conception of the elevator regulations rather than alarm over possible dangers of this particular elevator. On June 28, 1939, Mr. Ruth ad- dressed a letter to Capt. Oram, ap- Col. Oehmann’s ruling on the ground that - the proposed device ‘was not for passenger service, since 1t would be used only by Star Park- ing Plaza attendants, all of whom would be trained operators. Appeal Involved Interpretation. As this appeal invplved an inter- pretation of the regulations, it was referred to the Commissioners. Com- menting on the Commissioners’ final approval of the application, Engi- | neer Commissioner David McCoach, | Jr., yesterday asserted: | mit lppugflox; for this elevator pe! was investigated thoroug! by the Commissioners. mfi with this type elevator in other cities was considered, as well as the use for which it was intended, A used by employe operators only, th :‘u only, the that it was pealed from Col. Oehmann’s inte: tion of a plainly ambiguous sen- ce in the elevator regulations because he did not consider the fair. His study of the regulations convinced him, he said, that there 1 Sofa . . 2 Chairs . 3 Tables . 6 pieces THE SUNDAY. STAR, WASHINGTON, ‘Was no provision covering operators’ use of this special type of elevator, which, according to users’ reports from many \cities, was both efficient and safe. When he suggested o the District Bullding that employes us- ing the lift—which is restricted to employes—be licensed elevator oper- ators, he was informed that this was not considered necessary. The elevator is subject to quarterly pection. Businessmen Seek Escape NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 11 (®).— Big businessmen of the Nation— nearly a hundred of them—were here today for their ninth annual ‘“‘get-away-from-it-all” junket, but there were no interviews or state- ments on public affairs, The reason: Under the rules any onelwho gets serious won't be invited again. . Unifed Jewish Appeal To Be Launched at Rally Tuesday Leaders of Men's Division Are to Hold Meeting Tomorrow Night The United Jewish Appeal will be launched Tuesday night with a rally of some 600 volunteer workers at the Jewish Community Center. Leaders of the men's division will hold a pre-campaign meeting tomorrow night at the home of Edward C. Ostrow, 1700 Decatur street NW. The youth division will [ e MAYER & CO. offers s COMPLETE LIVING ROOM. .. at one low price . #CHOICE OF D. C, meet at the same time in the Jewish Community Center under the lead- ership of Alfred Reines and Alice West. Appealing for support of the overseas relief drive, Morris: Bimon, co-chairman, last night pointed out that the German invasion of Bel- glum and Holland has complicated the lem of the refugees and made more imperative the necessity of raising relief funds, Refugees who have found tem- porary haven in the Low Countries will probably be forced to flee again if the Nazis are successful, Mr. Simon asserted. Both Belgium and Holland, he explained, have provided temporary homes for thousands of wanderers who are awaiting an opportunity to go to Palestine, South America and elsewhere. These refugees, he sald, are being cared for by the American Joint Distribution Committee, The work of training the refugees STYLES: .« CHOICE OF 9 STYLES e o« CHOICE OF 5 STYLES ... dll for $199 PRICE FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY ONLY If you prefer'individuality in your living room furnishings, make up your own ensemble from open stock pieces in our Hampshire Group of quality-made Grand Rapids pieces. 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MAY 12, 1940 —PART ONE. for trade and agricultural pursuits in training camps established by the relief organization in co-operation with the Dutch and Belgium gov- ernments is now imperiled by -the spread of war, Mr. Simon said. A similar situation was brought about, he caid, by the German occupation of Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, Nor- way and Denmark. Students Escape Finals CINCINNATI, May 11 @) — Cincinnat! high school students cheered today. The Board of Edu- cation announced no final examina- tions gwould be given this semester. Assistant Superintendent Charles Otterman explained the “finals” usually took up about a week of the teachers’ time. Now the pupils will keep on studying up to the last pos® sible day before the summer vaca- tion. Mrs. O'Day Withdraws As Convention Delegate By the Assoctated Press. ALBANY, N. Y, May 11.—Repre- sentatives Caroline O'Day of Rye has withdrawn as a delegate at large to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to provide a place for Senator Wagner, whose name was inadvertently omitted by the Demo- cratic State Committee. i ‘This was disclosed today with re- lease by Becretary of State Michael J. Walsh of official lists of the major parties’ delegates. Eaglet Raised in Captivity MARSHFIELD, Wis,, May 11 (). —An eaglet, claimed by game farm experts to be the first ever raised in captivity, is on display at a here. The bird, now several weel old, is in the nest of s pair American eagles. for LATEST NEWS The .Night Final Star, containing the iatest news of the day during these dramatic times, is de- livered every evening throughout the city and suburbs between 6 P.M. and 7 P.M. Telephone National 5000 for immediate delivery. Suggestive Chairs From the 9 Styles WITU“ _Clurge Accounts are cheérfully arranged so that you may budget your purchases. 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