238 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



Senator Stennis. Certainly many questions arise from the fact that 

 the several efforts over the long period of time failed to effect the re- 

 pairs or restore the tower to its intended strength. 



So far as your construction itself is concerned, however, it seems to 

 have been sound. The inability to make the repair underwater effec- 

 tively doesn't reflect on your company as I see it. Of course, I am a 

 novice in that field. 



I want to ask you whether the radar instruments on the tower con- 

 tinued to function in spite of all the motion and movement and ob- 

 vious danger involved prior to January 1961 ? 



Mr. Ratj. I can't answer that question, Mr. Chairman, because I 

 am not qualified to. 



Senator Stennis. Well, did you hear it discussed at the January 

 1961 conference? 



Mr. Eau. I didn't think they had a complement large enough 

 aboard the Texas tower No. 4, from sometime in November on, that 

 could operate this radar equipment. 



Senator Stennis. Did you hear it discussed before they reduced the 

 number of personnel ? 



Mr. Rau. I am sorry, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Stennis. I asked whether you heard discussion by the Air 

 Force or anyone in authority that this motion was so great that the 

 radar wouldn't function ? 



Mr. Rau. No, sir ; I did not. 



reduction in number of air force personnel 



Senator Stennis. Even after Hurricane Donna, so far as you know, 

 the radar continued to function until the time the crew was cut down 

 in number? 



Mr. Rau. I was not told about that. 



Senator Stennis. You don't know anything to the contrary ? 



Mr. Rau. No, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Well, do you know why the crew was reduced? 

 What was your understanding of why the Air Force reduced the crew ? 



Mr. Rau. Excuse me, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Yes. 



Mr. Rau. We were — we knew nothing about the reducing or the 

 decision to reduce the number of men aboard the tower until actually 

 after it happened, and I don't know who made the decision or what 

 decision was made. 



Senator Stennis. I am told that the crew was reduced in number 

 by the Air Force on November 16, 1960. 



Mr. Rau. That is, as I recall, about the date, sir. 



Senator Sit^nnis. I wanted to know whether the crew was reduced 

 because the radar would not function or because it was considered 

 dangerous for them to be out there ? Can you shed any light on that 

 question? 



Mr. Rau. I cannot answer that, Mr. Chairman, because I do not 

 know the reason. 



Senator Stennis. Well, that is why I asked you previously about 

 whether there was any discussion of danger in January. 



