The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-10
rhe Places rs Of Amusement. e :.

1 The Places Of Amusement.
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL CpMMITTEE--THE
CONDITION or THE THEATRE AND PUBLIC
| HALLS SET PORTH--WHAT IS NECESSARY TO
RENDER THEM SAFE IN CASES OF FIRE OR
PANIC-TBE FACTS NOW BEFORE THE CoUN-
GIL AND THE PEOPLE, -. :.
The select committee appointed to ,ex-
anime the public places OF amusement in
the city met again last night to receive and
adopt the report which had been agreed
upon IN substance on Wednesday, but
which had been referred to Colonel Cut
shaw, City Engineer, to be written out.
The full text OF the report IL published be-
low. t.,s4 .zG.
The committee have reached their conclu-
sions after a very careful consideration of
the subject. Indeed, several OF the MEM
bers stated that they considered the duty
assigned to them the most responsible they
had undertaken for the city for many years.
Two OF the members seemed hardly satis-
fed with the scope OF the report, and one
OF them stated that he not only would not
approve of anything less being said, but il
the present response to the resolution Was
amended his sense OF duty would compel
him to bring in separate and more en-
phatic report.
Mr.. Davis, chairman Of the Committee
on Water, was not present last evening, but
it is understood that he comedies in every
thing in the document and will sign 1t when
presented to him.
The resolution calling for this informa-
ton was presented i'll the Board of Alder
that body on Monday:
RICHMOND, VA, February o, 1877.
TO the Board of Aldermen and Common
Council: #a
Gentlemen,-The undersigned, COM
mittee appointed by resolution Of the Coun-
Gil to examine and report upon the safety Of
places OF public amusement in the city, af-
ter visiting the several places and making
such examinations as seem called for by the
resolution, beg to report
First. The new Richmond Theatre as
now arranged and used is unsafe in case OF
fire or panic for the reasons here given :
There are several rooms used as kitchens
above and behind the stage-scenery, where
very inaammable material is collected,
which arrangement, we think, should be
discontinued; the front portion Of the
stage and canvass-ceiling over the audi
torium are of such inflammable nature that
ton against the spreading Of fire to have
the stage separated from the auditorium by
some tire-proof arrangement the exits
from many parts of the building are insult
ficient in case of sudden rush Of large
crowds, and should be met by having wider
aislcs, with doors opening freely and direct
ly from each into the entrance halls, where
broad steps of proper construction at each
side should lead from the top gallery to the
ground floor; and, as means OF escape for
the actors, additional exits at the rear OF the
stage and basement should be provided.
Second. The temporary character OF AS
sembly Hall has the objection that applies
to all framed structures-of easily taking
fire from adjoining buildings-but being Of
single story, so near the ground, after
making proper exits, it will be reasonably
safe in case Of a panic or fire within the
building. The side aisles should be wider,
side doors should open from the audito-
rum and the stage into the alleys, and in
front doors should open directly from each
aisle to the street.
Third. Virginia Hall is not safe against
the sudden movement of a large crowd
upon the floor, which, by proper construc-
ton, should be supported and secured
from below. Exits at both sides OF the
stage, wider side aisles, and free egress
from each aisle direct to the street should
be arranged and preserved.
Fourth. The front portion of Metro
politan Hall needs thorough repair and
proper support to render it secure. AT
present it is unsafe for large crowds stand
ing or moving upon the floor. Exits should
be kept open leading from each aisle and at
both sides Of the stage.
Fifth. Association Hall should have
doors opening freely and directly from each
aisle, and the front doors to open outwards.
Finally, in common with all these build
ings. all doors and windows should be AZ
ranged during a performance to open out
wards and without effort; the aisles should
be kept open and free during performance:
all lights and heating apparatus should be
properly protected by screens; tire-hydrants
and ladder-escapes should be provided; and
an officer, such as the Chief Of the Fire De-
partment, should have authority to enter at
all times all parts of these buildings to see
that such regulations as may be made for
the government of them are enforced.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
John j. King chairman of the Committee
on Fire Department., chairman; w. E.
Cutshaw, City Engineer; John Poe, Jr..
Chief Of Police; George A. Ainslie,
Chief OF Fire Department; J.J. English,
Chairman Committee on Fire-Alarm and
Police-Telegraph.