New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-23
DEATH TRAPS IN THE BOWERY
ONLY ONE SAFE THEATRE IN The STREET.
THE PROVISIONS MADE AND THOSE NEEDED IN BE-

the unanmity OF opinion expressedas to Its hay
ing been what is called q "deah trap" is
remarkable That hundreds OF people not roasted
alive crushed to death In their frantic efforts to escape
in that horror OF horrors the Brooklyn Til eatre fire
was matter of the merest chance, Is admitted with
equal unanimty. Thelghtnng-ke rapdlty with which
the flames shot through the Standard Theatre, only few
days later showed that appalling destruction OF life
would have resulted in that wretchedy constructed
building II the fire had broken out when the house was
full OF people But 1t striking fact that all the flood
OF righteous indignation poured the two theatres was
kept back until the final catastrophes had occurred and
! there was no fear of "nluring business"
The essee OF the Windsor Is reported to have said that
he was the "happicst in America" and that he
thanked God that the fire did not happen during per
formance It is possible, however that II Mr. Stevens
had been asked ak months what he thought about
his theatre regards the safety OF its audience in Of
fire. he would have answered, 1t Is OF the safest
houses In the city" This least the invariable
swer returned to TRIBUNE reporter who made round OF
various other Bowery houses which in were
vastly than the burned theatre The science OF fire.
proof building has been thoroughly studied
OF late the exercised by the city authorities IN
regard to inspection OF existing buildings and approval OF
plans OF ones supposed to much greater that
little excuse can he found for manager who admits that
great loss OF life would have been Inevitable had his thea
tire caught fire when audience present
! CONDITION or THE ITALIA THEATRE.
| dent Esterbrook reported TO have said that Its
opposite ncghb0r was almost as unsafe TRIBUNE ro
porter who has had some practical experience In theatre
building accordingly called the Thall management
and was received with great courtesy and readily allowed
to make a thorough examination OF the premises The
Thaia was built many years ago, and the Old Bowery
sdear still to many veteran theatregoers. Planned
time when land less valuable than at present, and
when its patrons the lie ldng people of the city,
from those causes alono secured immunity from the
worst vices OF the modern theatre. The Hobbies and
ages not confined and there fee passagcway
either side Later changes In its surroundings have 10
certain extent or these advantages but they stu go
far In ts favor compared with uptown houses
The frat point which strikes entering IA that the
entrances arc widc and that tho vesthue doors d
rccty opposite them important matter and too
often dsrcgarled Tho visitor finds IN the auditorium
that the old Bowcry Pit" sung by Iarrean and Hart
and beloved ~ the Old theatrcgocr has been cut into
two divisions by raised platform at the back which fol
lows The lines Of the boxes above This serious blum
der AMI one which should have been committed.
The present management state that Il necessary
ing io The recent lowering OF the galleries and the taking
OF one OF the tiers away altogether Whatever II due
to- thn effect Is highly dangerous People finding their
down 20 'hc orchestra seats have balance them
selves ne they down steep inclined plane. which ends
IN series Of extremely Objectionable steps Should the
brooklyn disaster De repeated the Thalla It Is
about these steps and along the line II the orchestraclr
Gle that heap OF carrci and crushed bodies would be
found.
regards the exits the ground noor they are.
rule. wen placed and sufficient. At each aide of the pro
sccnum boKe, q door which leads into passage having
direct to the street and I'm Of sudden alarm
through these doors occupants Of the front OF
the orchestra coall readily mud thoir way TO comparative
safety door the north side also communicates with
the Atlantic Garden public resort open to late hour
Tho doorway- leading into the front yesbulr wide
and swing outward It's when one comes to this vesti
sudden rush apparent Into the inner Of the two vest
bulrs wide stairway each side leads and forms the
only the first gallery balcony. sudden
rush Of plnicsriicken people down these stairs would
meet the pouring out OF the ground floor at right
angles and the consequent push and Jana would be In
creased instead Of diminished when the outer vestbule
reached. there they would meet "a similar rush
pouring down two other stiways from the gallery above
The easy aud staple remedy Tor this {, to fcnd OF by rail
lug Otherwise entrance from another and 10 this
end the wide, unencumbcrcd front Offer, every adyan-
tlge.
As special means OF exit the upper floors the re.
porter found that door led from every floor to
corresponding floor in the Atlantic Garden and II the
doors could be readily and easily opened valuable outlets
would be Afforded On the night In question, however. It
took several minutes for the manager who knew the
cret ~ the ingenious latch, 10 get II open. Little fault
any be found with the OF exit from the stage
there Is street passage each side and large
opening used IN tho old days Tor the admtsnce Of horses
In view Of the fact that the house holds enormous
audience certain changes seem desirable, ana
than merely desirable The sudden break the level Of
the orchestra floor easily be reduced by taking away
one or two steps the entrance and carrying the
floor down the stage In inclined plane The differ.
parts the house each should have distinct
and exits particularly the latter The special exit doors
should be fastened by simple and easily opened locks
otherwise they become than useless No theatre
IA the city affords better opportunities than the Thaa for
ne Y rendered "A |
should be added that tho reporter informed by the
management that Mr. Esterbrook has recently expressed
himself AS entirely satisfied with the building
THE DANGER AT MINERS THEATRE.
A few blocks above the rhala, aud the Op
poste side OF the street. stands Harry" Miners
Variety Theatre. As It bait by Mr. Dud
ley some eight years ago. the reporter naturally
expected TO find It almost perfect. and aaorling
every facility for easy cgrcss There are however serious
plumbers and errors As I'm the Thala. the balcony and
orchestra entrances placed that stream Of out
goes would strike with deadly force the other In
Of a panic; but, unlike the Thalia the ground floor
despite the steep incline ia perhaps the safest in the
house. II Is when tho narrow stairway leading TO the
balcony assembled that nervous SILVER through
There ia sort Of subsidiary untcnanted balcony
behind which serves purpose save to block up the al
ready narrow outlet OF tho staircase on the north side
Of the ouse II Is true there Is door which opens to
IN staircase leading to the pooroom next door. As
This room Is separated by brick wall 1t makes sure de-
fence in the time of trouble The upper gallery is steep
and provided with nsuilCientH wide stairway, dis
charging into the general lobby.
The exits from the stage ample, and consist Of two
hOrt stairs leading To doors at the back At the time OF
he reporters visit however. the utility Of these null
ncd by huge piles Of scenery and properties. which eec
uay blocked them up. broad passage also under
he OF the auditorium and, by arched doorway
through thick brick wall into the adjoining build
Safety, therefore, this theatre 10 be secured
the performers and employees but the audience IL in
rTiOs peril The Objectionable curves I'm the front OF the
irst balcony stairway should be promptly cleared away
Nd he starways IN NIL widcned To at least six feet
The walls all Of brick, pastered directly the brick
Nd with total absence OF turning or "strapping"
WHERE THE Peril rs SLIGHT. y
Directly above this place is Mr. Miners Peoples
heatre here many OF the evils Of the older theatres