218 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER XO. 4 



Senator Stennis. All rig-ht. 



Mr. Rau. In fact, until this morning I didn't know such a test was 

 made. 



Senator Stennis. One further question : When you were confronted 

 with the situation of the broken braces, as I understand it, the alter- 

 native was to take it back to port or attempt to make the installation 

 and repair underwater. 



CONTRACTOR CLAIMS NAVY HAD TO MAKE DECISION ON WHERE TO REPAIR 



TEMPLATE 



Now, whose decision was this ? Yours, the Navy's, or the Air Force 

 as to what should be done ? 



Mr. Rau. It would have to be the Navy's, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Stennis. I beg pardon ? 



Mr. Rau. It would have to be the Navy's, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Stennis. All right. 



Mr. Rau. Because we would not be in a position to make such a 

 decision. 



Senator Stennis. You were just the builder. 



Mr. Rau. That is correct, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Yes. 



Now, was the architect-engineer in any way involved in this de- 

 cision ? 



Mr. Rau. The architect-engineer, Mr. Phil Rutledge, arrived on the 

 site actually after the upending, which would be the night of July 6, 

 1957, at which time he was brought into the discussions. 



Senator Stennis. But the upending had already taken place. The 

 decision had already been made, and you had upended the tower. 



Mr. Rau. That is right, sir. . 



Senator Stennis. So he was not involved in the decision ? 



Mr. Rau. No, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Did you make a recommendation as to which 

 course would be taken ; whether to go back to port or undertake the 

 repair at sea ? 



Mr Rau. As I recall, I did not. 



Senator Stennis. You did not make any recommendation on that ? 



Mr. Rau. No, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Was your attitude then that you were at the serv- 

 ice of the Navy and would abide by its final decision ? 



Mr. Rau. That is correct, sir. 



Senator Stennis. And you would follow the course that they sug- 

 gested ? 



Mr. Rau. That is right, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Does that give a full picture to this committee of 

 what happened ? 



Mr, Rau. I believe it does. I didn't go on with the other details 

 because 



Senator Stennis. I mean on that decision 



Mr. Rau. Oh, yes, sir; yes, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Yes. 



There was no difference of opinion then between those who dis- 

 cussed the matter as to what should be done ? 



