New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-15
THE CoRONER,s INQUEST.

CONSTRUCTION or TIE TnRATER BASED oN TIE
ARCHITECTS LONG EXPE,ILSCE AND STUDY OF
SUCH BUILDINGS.
The COroners inquest III the case OF the
Brooklyn lire continued last evenings Ia The
Kings County Supervisors All the jurymeu
present Thomas Il. Jackson the architect OF ,Ihe buid
ing was called first lie read written statement o! the
plans Of the thcacr the already published Ia the
Fire Marshnls inyesi cation, and continued:
During my experience as architect my attention
was early called tu the Pr"rOfonng OF halls and general
Gus PAGES, finally arrived ut WiHt considered safe
basis tO allow ID inches width ot exit for every 100
scaithat is 1919 feet isr 1000 Eats, 30 feet for
5000 cats-and with sucl means OF exit any ~ o-gal,
ley house De cnptiod IN i've mnutes PROV ding al
the Hobbies and sirCses prUpuTtuncd TOO way.
The main exit the Brooabn Thcales wis IN excess
OF that figure, and could discharge l,4JJ people
IN three minute. The gallery stairs could dis
charr $50 people IN two mlautcsi add WO minutes Tor
their movement the gallery hnd on the stairs, Hnd ~
four minutes the - IoIy could be ompucd 1t vas the
same With the 81 Ie house. ON tho Opening nght
when it was crUvdcd-this tncattr was eniped IN hye
minutes, and this Is reasonable time To get $50 people
out o. gallery 81 seps above tie street ono word
more about me gallery alais hCS DehS strish ~ some
persons enormously SUPPOSE thcy ought u nave Dee
Capt Eyre VI. SHAW, Chief Of the London Fire Brigade,
referring starcases IN his pamphlet on thelics, says
" Stairs with bends at night or oven acute angie are
much than straight stairs Ia some buildings, TOO,
II may possible 10 construct the stairs with
alternate it,otios-rst right. ,non left and thus To
certain extent combine uniformity Of movement aud alb
As tho lry stairs were built in exactly that manner
trust experience blnltiUu h.t IA an OPINION,
will he sufficient - vince all uuprjuGlced persons OF
their pTupcr construction. In hbbudlHg the theatcr
no expense was spared the part nj the make
it sale and convenient, aud all suggestions Improve
Liehts made Dy were readily me, on their part aud
consequently the much above c outlay OTi in
ally intended brick wall between the stage aud audi
tOiium would been sufficient protection In This
ease because the strong draft carried the flames FROM
the through the stage opening into the roof OF
the auditorium. Iron shutters probably would have
Done good, for beng used only Ui ire aud
uuing cast To operate them In OF sud
den emergency would b. ~ hand pablo Of
c3ng thCm. IL dTOrcUfsain cOuid DC usc, saturated
with something making n nO-cOmDustbie, that might
Dc Of some usc, keeping the haIes back unul the
audience were ont 81 the house. II 1 were
u bud au ideal thester, iC would in three
distint parts-lUbby auditorium, and stagg-scpafiIed
from each OthCT brick walls Their should bO
proof scene ROOM scenery upon she stage except
beng used al the time. But theaier built
this plan would be expensive than builders,
actors or spectators could afford. ~ were rebuild
the brooklyn ICaer, do not SO how could improve
the plane. II MI The appliances prov ded Tor putting
out fire had beJa In working Order this Are think
might have been pat Gus whie still mciplent. The tst
hing DO when lite starts 10 get the people Uul
even n there Is q. chance 10 pui tie fire out.
Col. Abner c. KeeDey testified;
WAS builder OF to Brooklyn Thcater under the drcc-
ton of aTcLtt CT Jackson th0rc have been lnaN1a
changes IN the theaer since rs inst construction the
fIrst plans the building estimated the So, 900
IL. final cost 9l27,UOO .tnc additional expense
for uxtra duality or materials under sirs. COnway's
management every thing was Ia capital condition
know little OF it condition under the last lessees.
Henry G. Beam testified to recent changes in the
construction OF tho theater Two years ago two 4ses
we're cut IN the balcony, and recently Is seats were
taken from the rear oil the parquet to allow quicker
egress.
Samuel Booth testified that the building was admirably