COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 221 



DAMAGE TO THE LEGS 



Senator Saltonstall. Perhaps it is immaterial now, but one of the 

 legs was severely dented through an accident. I don't recall exactly 

 now just what the accident was. Do you recall what I mean ? 



Mr. Rau. Yes, sir ; I do. 



It was during the time the platform was brought into the template, 

 and the 12 hours or so it took before we could actually raise it up on 

 the template, all three legs were damaged to varying degrees. That, 

 I think, is what you are referring to, sir. 



Senator Saltonstall. Did that damage on those three legs weaken 

 the tower in any way, in your opinion ? 



Mr. Rau. a correction or repair to the damage drawing was given 

 to us by the Navy which entailed placing solid concrete inside these 

 legs after we welded off H -beams and put in steel reinforcing. I say 

 solid concrete. Actually we left a hole, as I recall, some 24 inches 

 to leave access to get below, but I believe in that respect with all our 

 concrete reinforcing in there, that it repaired that portion of the legs 

 to its original strength. 



Senator Saltonstall. So that would not cause any weakness of the 

 tower in the future ? 



Mr. Rati. I don't believe so, sir. 



Senator Saltonstall. Now, let me ask just one more question: 

 Were you supervised in your construction as the work went on ? 



Mr. Rau. Yes, sir ; we were. 



Senator Saltonstall. By whom? 



Mr. Rau. Well, the Navy had representatives on the job at all 

 times. Of course. Commander Foster was out there at varying times, 

 and he had a lieutenant whose name I don't recall now, and several — 

 Lieutenant Poulos, and several civilians. 



Senator Saltonstall. So that as the construction went along you 

 were supervised and, to the best of your knowledge, you did the work 

 satisfactorily ? 



Mr. Rau. Yes, sir. 



I may add to that, as I recall, the Air Force had one warrant officer 

 represented at all times. 



Senator Saltonstall. Were any comments or suggestions made to 

 you as you went along as to the strength of this tower ? 



Mr. Rau. No, sir. Having the designs coming from what we felt 

 was a competent architect- engineering firm or joint venture firm, why, 

 we did not feel we were qualified to make suggestions. 



Senator Saltonstall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Stennis. Senator Symington. 



PLANS AND specifications 



Senator Symington. Mr. Rau, I am impressed with your testimony. 



As I understand this, the Air Force wanted a tower built. They 

 went to the Navy and the Navy got in touch with the Anderson firm 

 and they with another firm. As a result, they were given an order, 

 first a feasibility order, then a design order with money passing to the 

 contractors. Also as a result, an order was given to you to build the 

 tower. Is that correct ? 



