254 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. To advise the officer in charge of construction, at 

 his request. 



Senator Satonstall. Did he make any such request ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. Yes, sir, a number of times we were called into con- 

 sultation on the particular items. 



Senator Saltonstall. And you have records of the advice that you 

 gave him at that time ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. I am reasonably sure that we have records of all 

 such meetings. 



Senator Saltonstall. Well, now, did you at any time, when you 

 gave such advice, inform the contractor or the Navy that you were 

 proceeding in an unsafe way ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. Xo, sir. We would not advise the contracting officer 

 that anything he wished to do was unsafe. 



Senator Saltonstall. No, I mean did you find that he was doing 

 anything unsafe? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. No, sir. 



Senator Satonstall. So that you believed tliat your design was 

 carried out and that the tower, as you designed it, was constructed 

 properly ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. Well, there was the instance of loss of two of the 

 folded-down braces, which was an accident, but certainly was not 

 improper construction, and there was the replacement of these braces 

 and certain difficulties in the installation of the replacements. 



But beyond that, I would say yes, with these exceptions, the con- 

 struction was as designed. 



Senator Saltonstall. Now, did you approve of the method by 

 which the template Avas moved to the location ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. Our approvals were restricted to items that were 

 covered in the design and specifications. The actual procedure for 

 towing the structure was part of the contractor's construction 

 methods, which we did not approve in any form. 



Senator Saltonstall. Well, when you made the design, did you 

 contemplate that it had to be moved by sea from Portland to the 

 location? 



Mr. Rtjtledge. Yes, sir, the design and specifications include the 

 erection of the foundation structure, the part below the white top, 

 in a horizontal position. They include the upending and placing 

 in position by the Kuss patent and the design and specifications take 

 full responsibility for tlie upending and placement, the actual rotating 

 of the structure. 



Senator Saltonstall. You approved of that ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. Yes, sir ; that is part of tlie design and specifications. 



Senator Saltonstall. Now, let me ask you this question : 



Did you have any responsibility for, or take any part in, designing 

 the supports that are marked in red on this model, after it was shown 

 that there were difficulties ? 



Mr. RuTLEDGE. Yes, sir. We designed those red above-water brac- 

 ings under a contract with the Air Force. 



Senator Saltonstall. Did you believe that that increased the stress 

 on the legs as a whole, when you put those red supports above water? 



