Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-19
Safety from Fire.

Safety from Fire.
THE NEW CoMMIssIoN-THEATERs, CHURCHES AND
OTHER BUILDINGS TO De RE-EXAMINED-THE WORK
DONE BY THE FORMER COMMISSION LAST YEAR-THE
NEW BODY TO SEE HOW FAR THE RECoMMENDA-
T1oNs MADE LAST YEAR WERE CARRIED OUT.
The Commissioners have, as stated in THE STAR,
designated Mr.. Entwisle, the inspector OF build
ings, and Mr.. Cr0nin, chief engineer of the fire
department, as commission to make re-exam-
ination OF the churches, hotels, places of amuse-
ment-such as theaters and public halls-and
school buildings, with reference to their safety
from fire, &c. This work, it will be remembered,
was thoroughly done last year, by commission
appointed for that purpose, composed of the fire
commissioners, Messrs. Collins, TAFT and Bacon;
Major Brock. OF the police department; Building
Inspector Entwis!e, and Chief CrOnin, of the fire
department. Mr.. Peter F. Bacon was the chair
man OF the commission, which inspected in detail
the pubic places of the character mentioned, en-
Dodylng IN three separate reports the result of
their laDor5.
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.
This first report contained an account OF their
examination OF the theaters, public halls and
other places OF amusement in which some exten-
slve alterations were recommended, especially in
the theaters. AS, however, the amusement sea-
son was at its height, it was deemed unadvisable
to interrupt the business Of the theaters As
temporary expedlent, an arrangement in the
nature OF compromise was made by the Commls-
sioners and the owners or lessees Of the theaters
providing that in lieu OF carrying the recommended
tlons out, at that time, there should be detail OF
nremen upon the stage at each performance, so as
to be ready to act Instantly In case OF fire, with
the understanding that when the season was over
substantial changes should be made in construction
OF the several parts OF theaters, such the build
Ing OF thick brick proscenium wall In lieu of the
present wooden walls, with wire or asbestos cur
tains. to be fixed so as to be letdown between the
audience and the stage. Also the placing of a
series OF Water-pipes under, over, and about the
stage, SO that the whole place could be Hooded in
nj he Init Snf
the hewly-appointed commission is to ascertain
what has been done by the owners or lessees OF
lions and what has been done by the owners Of
halls where assemblies are held and dances are
carried on.
CHURCHES.
The second report made by the former commits
sion was as to the condition OF the churches, all
OF Which were thoroughly examined and every
weak point noted and reported as to construction
and to danger from fire. Many recommendations
were made, particularly with reference to the re-
verslng OF doors so that they might swing out
made as to the strengthening OF walls found out
OF plumb, and Strengthening Of stairwayS and fire.
parts OF these The
been done towards carrying out these recon-
mendations also.
CONDITION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The third report related entirely to the public
school buildings, many Of them being very faulty,
mission was given to this branch of the in
veStigation. The whole time given to the work
intrusted to them occupied about three months,
and the present District Commissioners do not
propose to let the knowledge thus acquired be
made of the school buildings embraced the seat
Ing capacity, the kind OF construction, the nature
OF the material for stairways width OF corridors,
kind q heating apparatus used, whether parts eX-
posed tc fire were fire proof or not, the nature
and capacity Of exits, number of stories and
n1aga negat o. y buildings 1Sa the contiguty Of fire
connected with matters relating to the comfort or
safety OF the pupils and teachers. The report
closes with a recommendation that iron hand
rails be placed at the walls on the stairways OF
all large school buildings, as they would be OF
10 In the
''and 10th and q Streets buildings erected that
year. were in the judgment Of the commission.
should serve as models for the future school build
1ngs IN the District of Columbia. The report
says: "The solldity Of construction. Qhe interior
walls being all OF brick, the reprOOf halls, broad
iron stairways, ample and convenient exits, and
the perfect system OF heating and ventlating,
almost preclude The possibility Of fatal result in
the event OF fire or panic"
WHAT NEssRs ENTwIsLE AND CRoNM SAY.
Inspector Entwisle, in conversation with STAR
reporter stated that as for the schools it was un-
necessary to spend much time on them now, as he
knew personally almost the exact condition OF
every school building in the District He also
knew very well the condition of the public halls,
theaters and hotels, but he did not know so much
about the churches. He would be ready to COM
mence the work over again In three or four days
Mr.. Cronfn said he knew nothing as to what they
were going to do, when or where they were 10
commence, nor what their duties would be. They
were to hold a meeting and discuss the matter,
ana would be governedby what the Commission
ers directed.
An Obnoxious telegraph Pole.
n
Recently one of the telegraph companies erected
An unSiphtlv MOLE at the DOint of the angle uDOn