The New York herald., 1876-12-17

nres, and the Fire Marshals. whose duty II IS 10
ascertain the OF fires Tue great danger In large
assembagcs WAS Liability to panic, and 10 prevent
disaster IRON this, law should be passed orbdding
managers To admit more than stated number Of per-
to their theatres al any time, and measures
should be taken to prevent carpenter shop or paint
shop being operated within any theatre other pub
c building. Ono year ago the Fire Department made
careful inspection OF all the theatres IN this city, and
suggested many changes IN their appliances, most OF
which al once carried out by the managers. Mr..
Pericy thinks that none OF our metropolitan theatres
what they ought be- although they are Tor the
most part much safer than similar institutions IN
other CITIES The department TO which he belongs IS
now preparing report to be submitted 10 the Mayor
IN the course OF week, and which VIII contain tho
gst OF the voluminous reports from officers OF the
various districts who have during the past year
participated IN the inspection OF all the buildings
in the city, public and private. Now the
defects in theatres and public halls this city, Nr.
Pcrley thinks caused by the economical ideas OF
landlords and tho restriction TO superficial space.
The institutions not, as In other countries sub.
sdized by tho government and under official control
but arc built and managed oy private persons ior the
ground is bought, and upon the part OF IT, which
unavailable for business purposes, Is erected tho
theatre, while the front OF the property is built up
into stores through which to the theatre is
gained by narrow starways or long passages. This
all wrong Theatres should in all cases be built
directly upon the stSct and IL possible upon corner,
when egress could'0S had on two sides. Mr.. Perley
thought very favorably OF tho plan OF making stage
COMMISSIONER ERHARDr's OPINION.
Commissioner Erhardt when questioned oothe SUBJ
jecl of overcrowding staiea that what was most
needed was an adequate law on the subject As tho
matter stands ut present, he says the police have
authority to prevent breach OF the law. Within
the meaning of the statute as II reads, II Is
clearly tho duty OF the Inspector OF Build
ings to correct the abuse OF overcrowdng, by
reporting tho second offence to the police. Over
crowung is declared the relating thereto 10 be
misdemeanor, punishable by fine. The Commissioner
is OF opinion that the police should be empowered to
the first instance AT present many of the thea
have camp stools placed IN the aisles and these,
In OF rc panic would result in fatal confusion
and delay. II the police directed by law TO dis
crowd IN the aisle OF thea
tre as they would crowd the street
ana why not-no compliant could be made. Tho
hazards the opinion that II the aisle OF
any place of amusement was crowded. after the law
was passed, there would bc vacancy the precinct
In which II occurred IN littc less than forty.
hours bill directing the police 10 keep the ascs OF
all theatres clear should be Introduced in the Assembly
January /, and be signed by the Governor before
tho first week OF the session is over With such
measure ould come additional security 10 the public,
and repetition OF tho Brooklyn affair would be
almost impossible
OFFICIAL EXAMINATION OF THE ACADEMY OF
MUSIC AND sTEINwAY HALL.
The heads of the separate bureaus from the Depart
mcnt OF Buildings wont on their rounds Of inspection
again yesterday
ACADEMY music.
The inspectors-Nessrs. Dudley, Hyde, McCinnis,
Green and Androws-drst called at the Academy Of Mu.
sic They found that the gallery which very large,
is reached by two broad stairways from the ground
stairway about six feet wide, leading down to Four
teentn street Opening or this freproof escape arc
doors communicating with the dressing rooms the
south sdc and also with the carpenters shop that
those engaged on the stage can, in Of
avail themselves Of this OF
leaving the building. refreshments room,
back OF the family CIRCLE is reached
by two openings from passage way. Another door
may be recommended from this passage TO the lobby.
From the middle box tier the aslcs open into
spacious corridors and obbcs conducting four wide
stone stairways cmptyng into the main entrance on
Irving place The winding stairs from the gallery
also communicate with this tier the south side.
Four windows look out the balcony Fourteenth
street. Tho corridors and passages separated from
tho body OF theatre proper by thick brick walls
row OF small boxes above this tier is reached by q
narrow passage ON each side 10 balcony from which
the boxes open 1t is true this balcony is only short
height from the corridors. but the narrowness OF both
the balcony and the stairs leading 10 II may be deemed
for the perfect security of the occupants of
these boxes. Tho inspectors will in all probability
some changes or an additional stair
way leading from them. The parquet con-
tains niue aisles to doors opening the main
rdor, having passages into the vestibule on Irving
place. the nam entrance to the Academy, There Is
also to Fourteenth street, and on tho opposite
side Of the building there Two means OF egress by
six loot wide openings into an allcyway eight loot
wide, running into Irving place The dressing
for those engaged on the stage arc located three
nOOrS, from the stage In case OIL IRE IN The
scenery tho performers The Fourteenth street side
could avail themselves OF the winding STAIRS as
well the regular stage exit but those on the oppo
sdc on the second or third floor especially might
lind some difficulty in getting out Apart from the
stairs leading from these rooms there only
the fly gallery crossing tho stage Al the borders
covered with preparation making them comparatively
mpcrvous 10 flame. Hose, regularly attached Is
placed a, different parts OF the building and ready for
use. The Is situated on the opposite
oi the stage from the carpenters shop Under the
stage and tho auditorium arc tho cellars. where old
and boilers for heating tho theatre are under tho
sidewalk aCd outside the walls OF the building. No
barred boted ut night while performance
Is IN progress. Before the house Is opened to tho
public cmpoye unDolts and unIoc.s all doors lead.
TO passages ior egress to tho street. The inspec
believe that there arc ample outlets to rapidly
empty the house.
srEISwAY HALL
The inspectors found the following condition of
affairs at Stcinway Hail.
In the hall there are two balconies, tho upper one
seating $50 people There are two separate means Of
$40. From this there are also two distinct starways
leading into the main entrance on Fourteenth street.
The lower floor will seat 200 II has Tour aisies
running straight from front 10 There tive
means OF leaving this floor by tnree exits down wide
ways, one at each side OF the stage leading INTO Fif
tcenth street When all the doors opened the
lower part OF tho house can bc emptied
very rapidly. There is nrc escape TO the
roof from the upper balcony The furnace
and boilers used Tor heating the hall are
in separate building outside. Ii is fire proof but
communicates with the main establishment Twelve
fire cxtinguishers scattered through the building,
but what is OF greater importance IS that there
men regularly drilled at intervals In the OF these
apparatus, and these special rcmen are duty every
evening during the progress of an entertainments The
ceiling and wood work about tho stage Us saturated
with chemical preparation which Will resist 'some-
WHAT the action o! flames. With the exception OF
the uppIr balconies the inspectors have nothing 10
recommend IN the way Of an Improvement Owing to
the exit doors to tho starways from these balconies
being close TO each other ami botn OF thcm at side
or the house, some recomin cndations may be made.
TA1TxIANV,C TROI1RI