The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-19
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY DECEMBER 49, 7z-rRpIE SHEET

would nave been all right the partition separating
the rooms from the Dire escape might have been
down by any d II the men: it IS against the
dead body to ,oo Be ,n saTsn
bility; was standing on the root when the chief
engineer first told me about the bodies; the screen
,nen got up none Of the officials Of the hotel in.
forrsss6 me that there were girls missing on the
a ah ons Of tie ensnesrs told NE Thai ihs stairway
sans 70 TIE smf
the city; made 40 Investigation Of the cause OF
the FIRE at the Fifth Avenue 2otel II originated i'll
as sleeping room; the room Was six feet by nine;
there was an elevator in the southwest corner;
the elevator ran up to the ceiling pext TO the top
floor.
H. O. Gardiner, a juror would like to ask the
witness two questions. which may save two. Was
there any evidence that the fire was caused BY IN
cendiarlsm or wilful neglectS
Witness-Neither
Evidence contnued-Tne means Of ingress and
egrcss to the rooms were very good; il they could
get upon the ROOF they would be as safe as upon
the street (Mr. Mcspedon here exhibited a plan
OF the apartments, which was attentlyey exam
ined by the jurors) II think the girls were
SUFF0cATED WITH SMOKE
before the fire reached them; there were windows
covered in the hotel at all the upper parts were
filed with smoke; smoke will penetrate any.
health. could force tie windows open; persons
when in danger are not as cool as they would
be In other circumstances; l think nine or ten
women In room together would cause panic
among themselves; don't think that an elevator
such as that which ran through the servants
apartments should be permitted In q house; The
elevator should be run to the roof so that the
smoke could escape; the manner OF its construc.
ton made the rooms near IT dangerous even " MI
hall they would have been sufocated by the smoke
the safest way was TO avoid the hall there was
stairway was very narrow: when visited the room
next morning the bedsteads and bedding had been
all removed; IL looked as II all evidence OF TIE
sleeping facilities had been removed; the
STAIRCASE WAS BUILT OF WOOD;
was not able to find ont who Knocked down the
partition; the fircmen In the hotel had been 70
work upon the nre some twelve Or fifteen minutes
general alarm mad been 9S aSesa that he
had found all the bodies upon tne hooii one VI
them had M. ttress pulled over IL. =,
Charles il. Rum. oh sworn-l am an assstant ol
INC IT Aarass eG HOTEL Went tn ~
the broadway cars and foana the rs on the star
way; was on the main roof OK ~. wnre bndes
one o'clock and tea .s., that n there ladder
to the window where TIE bodies were; &He IRE
ana saw the Bodies lying there; Captain Barsen
Mary Groves sworn~I am employed in tas
laundry; -
OCCUPIED ROOM $685. ~-
went to bed at ralrpast nine O'Clock; turied
of the gas myself before retiring; always keep
my matches in box; saw the fire before
fast as c0nd and gave the alarm: the first person
lsaw was Harriet Mclaughlin; she was standing in
my room; the dre came into my room, but don't
know where 1t came from; don't know how the
fire originated;
II DID NOT ORIGINATE IN MY ROOM;
the window of my room was on the back side OF
the room; 1T did not open on the stairway or the
hail.
TO Juror-when got down to the landing I
found three men putting the hose on; from the
time lett my own Bedroom until went to the
CntW M 6rn
James Macgregor sworn-I am superintendent
Of the Building department OF this city: did not
erected; it was erected before the act Of the de.
partment was passed; inspected it and found
that the fire escape, was defective; the lessees
stated they were willing to do anything to make
the rooms secure; found on the upper floor, the
attic story that the facilities for escape very
good the servants could have escaped by way OF
the windows; the wire netting was not nailed
down strong and think that girl could have
General Spinola-It has been demonstrated that
a man OF $50 pounds could not without extreme
difficulty make his way through, and think it i'm
possible for woman to break 1t down.
Evidence continued-My own opinion Is that the
fire escape facilities on the attic story were ample
by Jur0r-How were the suggestions you made
relative to fire escapes received.
A. They were acceded to by the propretors;
suggested that fire alarms should be put up in
every part of the house.
A.rqfuy aS hot 6Sessh put in VI -(sensaton,
l think If the girls had been awoke in time
they might have escaped through the hall without
was made TO the owner OF the building and the
propretOrs jointly do not think that any screens
should be placed upon the windows.
General Spinoa-HOw were the rooms venti-
lated2
Mr.. Johnson, another Juror Ito whom Mr.. OAR
ling cordially bowed on entering the room)-I
don't think the question Is pertinent appeal to
the Coroner.
Coroner schirmer-I think the question is proper.
General SpinOa--I think IL Is proper. We lave
had evidence that the girls were suflocated and it
is proper we should know how the rooms are
ventilated. No part OF the inquiry
SHOULD BE HUSHED UP,
and would like to have an answer.
Mr. Macgregor-I think the rooms were better
ventilated than apartments are in many tenement
houses.
General spinola-Thatis not an answer to my ques.
ton. There Is no comparison between the Filth
Avenue Hotel and tenement house.
Mr.. Macgregor-YOur question Is for the Board
OF Health. but may say the rooms were not well
ventilated.
At the conclusion OF Mr., Macgregor's testimony
the inquiry, at the suggestion OF Mr.. Johnson was
adjourned until Saturday evening, when it win be