166 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



Captain White. That is correct. 



Senator Stennis. Now, that is a very sound position for you to take, 

 I think. But if you are not paying these $225,000 to $250,000 to these 

 gentlemen to tell you whether or not they are reasonably safe and 

 adequate, I do not see what you are paying them for, except the little 

 point that you mentioned at the last there about the new conditions 

 you might run into. 



Captain White. That, in our opinion, sir, is a very important point. 



SAFETY OF EXISTING TOWERS IS PARAMOUNT 



Senator Stennis. Well, I do not mean to belittle it, but it is com- 

 ing pretty high at this figure. It just seems to me that the unan- 

 swerable logic of the thing is that you very rightfully want to know 

 about the safety, the reasonable safety and usefulness and practicality 

 of the remaining towers, and that you have employed a firm to inspect 

 them. But as a part of it, the way it looks to me is just the same as 

 though a jury, after having been sent out, should come back and say, 

 "We, the jury, find for the jury." You just do not do things that 

 way. 



it seems to me as though you have got to have someone who has not 

 been connected with the design originally to pass on those matters. 



Captain White. Senator your analogy may be correct, sir. The 

 only thing I would like to add, sir, is that I was faced with a problem 

 that had to be solved in the shortest time it could be solved in. 



After thinking of all the factors that were concerned in this matter, 

 it was my decision to go back to the firm that originally designed these 

 towers and give them this job, because in that way, I thought that the 

 job that I had to do could best be done. 



Senator Stennis. Well, I think your concern is very commendable, 

 sir. I think you and the Air Force both have a sj^ecial responsibility. 

 However, if you were going to determine the responsibility for the 

 situation as to Texas tower No. 4, you would not have gone to this 

 firm, though, to evaluate it, would you? 



Captain White. I was not asked to do that, sir. 



Senator Stennis. I know. But if I were to ask you, or if the com- 

 mittee were to ask you, to recommend someone to determine the situa- 

 tion with respect to Texas tower No. 4, you would not go back to the 

 designing firm to do it, would you? And I speak of the firm with 

 great deference ; it is one of our best ones. 



Captain White. I would rather defer an answer to that, Senator. 



Senator Stennis. All right, I do not want to press you. But I 

 think the fact that you want to defer it shows that you would not turn 

 to them, and your better judgment would lead you away from them. 



If you would rather not answer it, that is all right. 



Anything else, gentlemen? 



Mr. Kendall. I have no further questions. 



Senator Stennis. I want to thank you again, Captain, for beuig 

 with us and bringing us these facts. If you will remain with us 

 during the day, please, I would appreciate it. 



Captain White. Sir, I am here at your pleasure. 



Senator Stennis. Gentlemen, shall we proceed? 



It is now 12:20. Do you have another witness? 



