The New York herald., 1876-12-09
THE NEW YORK THEATRES.

Tho Board OF Health met in special session yester
day 10 take action with regard to tho safety from ars
oil theatres In this city. After some discussion the
following resolutions were adopted
whe.s"s the recent eaa IN Brcolyn theatre has
parently why similar calamity shond not occur
a. amy time 10 this sy and whereas the rssponb,i,y o.
tween the Fire Department Departments OF Buildings and
seseSea Thas the board Of Fire Commissioner. and the
m' & ~ OF ad" ss s @
speedily and effectively secure Tho safety Of our citizens N
Tha. ysa asSy tho ser..1 r., & se sssGa
sioners and to the Of Buildings with the
bspa,smsni TUESDAY. December l., 7. NJ, and
that His Honor tho Mayor be invited to be present
On motion of Commissioner smith II was
Resolved That tho above resolution. be referred to the
nr Of s SSs TO rspe % at 70 BE ns hs s "s
sonsity Of this department In respect 10 dangers 10
human io in theatres aud other place. o public assembly
are conferred by law upon other departments
Alter their adoption General Smith related his
experience President OF the Police Board in cndeav-
orng prevent the filling Of the aiscs Of the Union
League Theatre with camp stools about a year ago.
Then he found that jurisdiction lay only with the
Superintendent oi Public Buildings, wnUsc powers
only TO the extent OF bringing action against offenders
ana sublec!ing Them 70 q small me- penalty which
their houses In view Of tins fact he suggested that
bill be drafted and presented to the Legislature giving
the police power TO prevent such dangerous orowdni
theatres His suggestion ADOPTED and bill "a
that effect is to be drawn up.
MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Tho following correspondence between the President
OF the Fire Commission aud the lessces OF Booths
Theatre shows sommendabc spirit to take means to
prevent II possible, disastrous connagra,ion in al
least one largo house OF amuscmenl:-
HEADQUARTERS FIRE DEPARTMENT
CRY OF NEW YORK,
Ngw York, Dec. !, 1876 }
Messrs JARRETT PALMER, Managers Booths
GnXrLEMEy-To render the recurrence OF disasters OF
the nature OF which has recently happened al
the Brooklyn Theatre nearly impossible may DO
tender TO you behalf OF this department, detail OF
nremcn TO DO equipped by you with such necessary ap
plianccs for lire cxtinguishmcnt as the department
may recommend, and 10 servo under the
proper officers during all public performances you
estabishiient being stationed wherever in the opin
ion such officers iney would be Of most use.
The reports OF the disaster referred TO seem 70 csab
lish beyond question that II effective appliances such
will be proposed, under control Of competent
trained their and charged with the duty or usni
them had been provided the terrible loss OF ife II moi
the grsnt destruction Of property, would have bec1
prevented.
Arguments favorng greater protection TO iife limb
and property and appealing alike to your sense of hu
manity and your own interests are deemed unneccs.
sary at tins tmc
An ofcer OF this department will DO ordered to in.
spect your premises once. with directions report
his recommend the number OF required
for the purpose the character oi the appliances neccs
sary Tor their use, as well as generally all needed i'm
or changes requisite to make the premises
from danger Of lre
Tho action Of the Board upon these recommendation
will be communicated to you without delay. Very
spcctfully, JOSEPH l. PERLEY, President.
NEw YORK. Doc 8. 1874
JOSEPH l. PKRLEY, Esq, President OF tho Board oi
Fire Commissioners
DEAR sin--we thank you for tho proner OF detail
OF regular bremen 10 guard this establishment, made
In your communication OF yesterdays date.
Notwithstanding the general recognition Of tho vast
superiority oil Booths Theatre regards safety from
fire. deem the presence, cvcn here, OF q uniform
patrol Of service if only Tor aaying the apprehcn-
sions Of ,hc and thou 3hiless and thus pre-
venting panics, that possible any great public
gathering.
The proposition to inspection OF this theatre
is very pleasing TO us, and We want You to feel as
sured that the representative OF department ia
placed at his command for its thorough performance
With great respect your obedient servants,