The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-20

ways under the parquette are accessible by doors
from the stage and from the auditorium while
rear door to the stage and the broad entrance from
the Bowery are ample for all ordinary contingencies
-Four stairways lead from the galleries to the lobby
ana In each gallery there is door leading into the
Atlantic Garden.
THREE MINUTES TINE ENOUGH.
At the Fifth Avenue Theatre the reporter was in
formed that when the house was full the theatre
was usually emptied after performance in eight
minutes. ana that in an emergency three minutes
would afford ample time for the whole audience to
reach the street. On the first door there is exit
from the rear leading into Twentynnth street and
an egress opposite the first entrance the right
hand side OF the stage communicating with Twenty
latter exit passsseway through Nj Giissys DO,
opening into broadway. On tho front OF
large folding doors which. when thrown open. afford
ample room for the largest audiences to make their
way out. An exit on the second floor runs through
the left side of the box to Twenty street. and
another goes through the ladies' parlor leading into
Broadway Double staircases also built on either
side of the theatre leading to the balcony From
the third floor the audience reach Twenty ninth
street from the manager rs Office and two stairways
connect with the double staircases already mem
toned communicating with Twenty-eighth street.
The attaches of the theatre are well drilled and know
what to do in emergencies, Twelve of these are
the stage during every performance, as many moro
the front of the house aud three special hremen
detailed by the Fire Department for the purpose
also constantly hand. There four hose
tachments run by steam engines. and eight extin-
gushers in the theatre. The law in regard to the
of camp stools in the aisies IS always observed.
Following the inspection of the various theatres
after tho Brooklyn holocaust an exit was made on
the top floor and two exits on the ground foor The
repor er was also informed that Mr. Gilbert
hearsing score OF policemen tor his opera.
This posse would probably be equal to suppressing
very able-bodied panic, whether 1t arose from
what facilities does Days Theatre furnish for
egress p the reporter asked Mr.. John Duff
'Well, said he. smiling, 'it Is open in front like
baby's shirt and the easiest theatre In New York
got out Of Behind the orchestra chairs there are
heavy drapery. These lead to two large exits to
Broadway. and are each twenty-five feet wide That
long gate in front OF those exits runs back rapidly
reproof wall separates the theatre the Broad
way. store: Leading from the galleries are wide
small and holds only about three hundred persons,
that there never could be very large number
up there to get out in an emergency. Then there
is the Sixth avenue entrance to the stage On each
side of the doors leading TO Broadway openings
between the 'front.' of the building and the theatre
called, know air shafts aud fire broke out
in the front OF the building the flames would be-
upward instead OF against the theatre. When this
house altered by AIR. DAILY he aimed especially
at guarding against fire and afording every possible
means or earess in case OF u panic. The result is
seen in the rapidity with which the street may be
reached and the theatre emptied of occupants"
"Aow soon could large audience reach the street
in emergency
.In minute and a half everybody in the house
could get out. In the orchestra there also four
aisles SO that there 10 no crowding among the au-
dience when leaving the theatre We never usa
campstools in these aises There are twelve dozen
buckets Of now in the theatre and dozen ex-
tingushers whilo the ushers and stage hands all
posted as to their Moreover we don't keep any
rubbish about the building that could catch fire. It
IL significant fact. think that insurance men
have offered to insure us at three per cent. whi1e
other theatres we're asked per cent"
Mr. W. II. Henderson. OF the Standard Theatre.
said that place OF amusement was amply provided
with exits and that every requirement Of the Build
ing Department was complied with. The spectators
occupying orchestra chairs may reach Sixth avenue
through two large doors. Double stairways connect
the balcony with the avenue and additional STAIR
way at the right of those already named may be
pressed into service when needed. The gods" up
In the family circle also have double stairways by
which to reach the exits from the balcony. Camp
stools are not used nor are persons allowed stand
in the asles. Mr. Henderson said the theatre could
be emptied in four minutes. There four
hydrants on the stage and several fremen
stantly in attendance. When all the New York
unnecessary to suggest any additional exits in the
theatre, as 1t was already amply equipped with
means OF egress
The Grand Opera House is also well provided with
out into Eighth avenue. two into Twenty-third
street and one communicating with Twenty-fourth
street. Wide stairwsys connect the balcony with
the main entrance aud the gallery has exit to
Twenty fourth street. On the Twenty-third street
side there are the first floor four large windows
which would be useful IN emergency, and several
windows are also on the Twenty-fourth street side.
The doors opening into the street are twenty 1--we
feet wide. The building Department. after an in
spection. recommended only that one row Of parlor
chairs should be removed in the parquet In ORDER to
afford more space between the chairs. This ac-
cordingly done. Four fremen are nightly duty in
the balcony and gallery
body knows the ample exits to the street with
which 1t IL provided. The starcases wide and
the distance from tho orchestra to the generous
quickly trsversed. The balconies also communicate
by wide staircase with Sixth avenue and tbs tho
stre can be rapidly emptied.