COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 265 



Mr. KuTLEDGE. That is right, sir. 



Mr. Kendall. Well, going to the early part of 1960, I believe that 

 there was a report that a diver examination had revealed loose pins 

 and worn connections in the underwater bracings at elevations minus 

 25 feet and minus 75 feet ; is that right ? 



WORN" CONXECTIOXS IX BRACES COXSIDERED SEPJOUS 



Mr. EuTLEDGE. Yes, sir; JSIr. Kuss attended a meeting at Otis Air 

 Force Base where that report was presented. 



Mr. Kendall. Did you consider that a — possibly I should direct 

 this question to Mr. Kuss. 



Mr. Kuss, did you consider that a serious consideration ? 



Mr. Kuss. Well, it looked quite serious, for the reason that this 

 looseness had developed in such a short time since the last diver inspec- 

 tion. It was quite mysterious to me and somewhat alarming. If it 

 had happened over the 4-year period that the tower was up, it wouldn't 

 have been so puzzling. But there was about an 8-month gap between 

 the divers' report that everything was tight and this report that desig- 

 nated loose pins. 



Mr. Kendall. Was it your opinion, Mr. Kuss, that the situation 

 was so serious that if it wasn't corrected, it would worsen at an ac- 

 celerating rate and raise a serious question as to the safety of the 

 tower? 



Mr. Kuss. As I said, because of the uncertainty of what was caus- 

 ing tliis apparent rapid loosening of the pins, it could have been 

 quite serious. We were alarmed. 



Mr. Kendall. Well 



Senator Stennis. Pardon me, let's put a date on that. You per- 

 haps did already, Mr. Counsel. 



When was it, now, that you are talking about there, Mr. Kuss, when 

 you say, "We were alarmed" ? An approximate date ? 



Mr. Kuss. This is February 1960. I don't have the dav ; February 

 1960. 



Mr. Kendall. You did write two letters with reference to the prob- 

 lem, didn't you, Mr. Kuss, one dated April 1, 1960, to Major Phelan? 



Mr. Kuss. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Kendall. And you stated in that letter that the "loose pin con- 

 nections are a very serious matter since there seems to be no way of 

 satisfactorily remedying this condition.'' Is that right? 



Mr. Kuss. That's right. 



Mr. Kendall. And furthermore, "that the condition was one that 

 would tend to worsen at an increasing rate with time?" 



Mr. Kuss. It couldn't do anything but increase; yes. The condi- 

 tion could not get better. It would increase, if anything. 



Senator Stennis. Were you reading from the letter, Mr. Counsel? 



Mr. Kendall. Yes, sir. 



Senator Stennis. This is Mr. Kuss' letter? 



Mr. Kendall. Mr. Kuss' letter to Maj. James Phelan. We would 

 like to have a copy of this letter made a part of the record, Mr. Chair- 

 man. 



Senator Stennis. It is so ordered. 



