New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-31
INSPECTING THE THEATERs.
FOUR AUDIENCE-ROOMs EXAMINED WOOD
MUSEUM ALLEGED TO BE UNSAFE.


FOUR AUDIENCE ROOMs EXAMINED WOODS
MUSEUM ALLEGED TO BE UNSAFE
Fire Marshal McSpedon's report of the result
of an examination Of the theates aud the precautions
against fire In each, published in THE TRIBUNE on
Saturday. Under orders from the FireMarsba, Officer
A. b. Mooney inspected, on Saturday and yesterday
the Fifth Ayenue Tlsatef, the Grand Opera House,
WQQdIs Museum, and the Union Square Theater The
following report was made:
Tho premises known the Square Theater were
examined on Saturday by Fire Marshal Mcspeaqn anu
Officer Mooney They found the footlghs ana oorder
rooms covered with globes made OF 1ne wire The stage
Is lighted by four rows OF lights, protected by @
from the edges Of the wings and borders The house
heated by steam, which Ia obtained IRON poIo'
p ppss nS laSus Il the essa ' @
into the theater; on the first visit made 70 the tne
were considered not safe work since been DONE and
consider the Union Square Theatef one Oh I.o
fire. In addition to the ordinary stage gem room nn
for scenery there s large recess hTild I' for
this purpose, and we strongly recommend this improve
ment To ohe; managers. Nothing Is allowed 10 iela,
the set Ths regard as most Sa1 o cue me
tom. and well worthy OF imitation on tne Toy 0 .me
building there Is tank containing 1000 gallons OF "asr
and the tbeater could be flooded at any moment Inc
wstchmen carry indicators, and every possible Po'"u
Woods Museum is heated with steam. The furnace
and boiler are in the front basement Inc prPed5 ~
the propertyrO0m s not In safe condilOn tnere Is ~
hose there should DO Oh both sides ot inc stage win
The Fifth Avenue Theaer is heated by three furnaces
and the pipes from these furnaces run into nue. anu
where they through wooden partitions they are
guarded with sheetron overhead Inc pipes h ara at,
plug the stage in the rear WIN h incS
attached with brass pipe WITH one l;tb pIp Se
attached to hydrans There no fires In the dressing
ROOM the lights under the stage IN the % @ M
are protected by wire globes The stage hghts are an
S sIlgGS projected "'n '0rfus''0u H'H '-D
The Grand Opera House is heated by steam. The fur
and two boilers In the basement on the twenty
fourth-s sde One boiler is only used III summer Ior
are at such wood work to be considered
safe There Is no DIRE at any point Tor heatng IA
where there is hose attached to repugs with eight IRE
extinguishes the lights over and under the stag are
rotected with wire globes the border lights are guarded
with wire screens the pipe that supplies the radiators
is In dangerous condition; the carpet Is close 10 inc
steam pipe.
The examination Of the remaining theaters will be
made to-day.
THE DANGER OF sUPERHEATED STEAM.
TO me Edttor Of The TrfbUn@
SIR In answer to communication from NJ.
Baker, which appeared in this mornings Journals ana
in which e attempts TO throw doubt upon the asser
lions made by me in my report upon the dangers oi
superheated steam, would most respectfully INFORM
both yourself and the public that 1t is welknown fact
is sufficient steam remaining in pipes after the fire has
been banked It liable into that heats the
pipes makes them in many instances red hot Ihs Is
as Mr. Baker would pretend that asserted This result
when there is absolutely not re enough TO make
steam from the water. A pound OF steam will occupy
1900 times the space Of pound or water ana less IRE
will heat It than the pound OF water. That this super
heated steam heats the pipes to red heat IN many IN
stances have abundant evidences III THIS once 10
prove. Many fires occur in every large CITY
from this The assertion made by
me in your journal OF the Goth inst. that super
heated steam Is one OF the most dangerous
elements have contend against, insurance people
i'm New-York and all the country, who are
gerOus character Of this combustble well know In my
official capacity l have been increasingly mprehsing
upon people who ii the necessity OF the greatest
care in looking after the pipes where they bend, or
pass through the ceilings or floors. IL the Mr.
Baker VINO answered my communication is the
head of the firm OF Baker Sinlth
who nut the boiler aud steam fittings into Barnums Mu
scum n can readily understand his sensitiyeness the
subject but In explaining the OF the fire by no
means desired to point out that these boilers and steam
fittings were any less than those made Dy any
,tirt TrustiuS humble experience
Baker and the public that although the steam remaining
is frequently oYerheated, and sometimes proves
disastrous mover meant TO alarm the public mind by
statement that this always occurs, though l
would impress Mr. Baker and the people the great
necessity guarding against the effects of this element
shall be most happy, at any time, to explain TO any
gentleman who feels interest in the subject the en-
workings of this steam far as my knowledge Will
permit AT the Fire Marsbals Office, where have gath
cred evidence prove this theory Yours most respect
fully, IHos MCSPEDoN' FIRE Marshal
Dec. 80, 1874