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Show Neceaamry Action j ECISION of County Attorney Arthur Moreton to ask for inquest In the tragic death of Ruby Soderberg, who lost her life In the collapse of a trandstand at Liberty park, Is to be commended. While a special committee, com-mittee, appointed by dr. M. R. Stewart, commissioner com-missioner of parks, did determine the cause of the accident, It made no attempt to solve . the question of responsibility. v This committee says the accident may be attributed to the fact that the bleachers were set on soft pound. On hard ground, members mem-bers of the committee assert, the -bleachers - would have supported their load. The committee com-mittee report, as a public explanation, is Incomplete In-complete In that it is silent as to why the structure was erected on soft ground. Men acquainted with building conditions should have been able to detect the danger before the stand was put to a practical test. It was to have been expected that the bleachers would carry a capacity load and competent officials should have satisfied themselves that the structure was safe. Irrespective Irre-spective of the city ordinances relating to building requirements. It appear that the city building inspector saw the stand before it was used, although it is not recorded that he made an official inspection. aty building inspection atiould be under the direction of an expert. The man in charge should know safe and unsafe construction at - a glance. He is hired for that particular purpose pur-pose and bas an obligation by the public, which is above all other considerations. The chief concern of the public now is to know whether or not our building inspection is in competent hands. ' - In determining the cause of the death of the Soderberg girl, the coroner's Jury would naturally inquire into the manner of the construction, con-struction, and its authority, as well as the character of the inspection and supervision. The disaster at Liberty park is a source of regret re-gret for everyone and no end of probes and investigations will alter the general result A thorough understanding of the causes of the mishap, however, can do much to prevent future fu-ture troubles, it, at least, should determine whether or not the weakness could have been detected under proper Inspection. |