COLLAPSE OF KNICKERBOCKER ROOF 'UNUSUAL & APPALLING'
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 6, 1922, the Evening Star reports that an investigation at the Knickerbocker Theatre* has disclosed problems with "insufficient supports, ineffective splicing and inadequate base connections."
Theodore L. Condron**, C.E., came to the Nation's Capital from Chicago to investigate the ruins of the Knickerbocker. He says that while disasters are "somewhat common," the collapse of (the roof of a) presumably up-to-date theater...safe from fire and other hazards...is...unusual and...appalling."
Mr. Condron writes...
"This theater is a startling example of how interior decorations and exterior beauty concealed faulty construction and gave a false sense of safety and security to thousands of patrons."
*Knickerbocker Theatre, located at 18th Street/Columbia Road in Washington, D.C., suffered a major roof collapse after a heavy snowfall on Jan 28 1922 resulting in the deaths of 98 persons & injuring of 133.
**Theodore L. Condron was a consulting engineer and senior member of the well-known firm of Condron & Sings, Civil Engineers of Chicago. TLC was a graduate of Rose Polytechnic Institute.
SOURCES
"Finds Elementary Rules Of Engineering Slighted," by Theodore L. Condron, C.E., The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 6, 1922, Newspaper Archive, www.gastearsivi.com/
"Noted Chicago Engineer To Address C.E. Club Today," Daily Illini, November 19, 1909, Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections, www.idna.library.illinois.edu/
