Boston, July 5 (AP)—Fire Chief Daniel F. Sennot placed the blame for the collapse of the Pickwick Club building here yesterday on the management of the club.
“The building was allowed to become overcrowded,” he declared, “and the tremendous weight, combined with the rythmic tread of the dancers was too much for the walls and floors. The fire of a few months ago had nothing to do with the collapse, as the damage from that was confined entirely to the floors above the club.”
Building Commissioner Mahoney, amplifying a statement issued yesterday through the mayor’s office, which placed the blame on the state for permitting the licensing of the club, said that he “did not know until yesterday that there was a Pickwick Club, or any resort of its kind in Boston.” He said because the state had charge of licensing such places the club had not been brought to his attention.
Frederick W. Cook, secretary of the commonwealth, said that the city knew about the Pickwick Club, because he and Police Commissioner Wilson conducted an investigation of the incorporators before the license was granted. Inasmuch as the papers of incorporation made no mention of the building which the club was to occupy, he said, he failed to see the state could be blamed for the collapse.
Daily Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME, July 6, 1925