New-York tribune., 1884-01-25
Totals. s22,5l5 ssld,S76,1S7 sl0,7g3 sl2gol,soS


In the list wear $50 violations aud unsafe buildings
were reported at the bureau and 4O4 were for
varded to the Attorney for prOseoution SIG buildings
were made safe by repairs aud 70 unsafe structures were
pulIed down 10y order OF the Inspector Tho numor ol
buildings on which reescapes were erected Dy ofuer VI
the Inspector is 1876. Among these buildings were tne
following hoteIs The BrevooTt House, ST. Nicholas Astoi
us. EossInore Everett s. Denis, Barrett House new,
Gramercv Park Hotel ST. Charles Hotel, Genham ana
the Stevens House
The following extracts are from the Inspectors letter
Is satisfactory 10 able state that since the last
annual report there has been shown Oettei
the part OF property-owhers 10 ploNie p ,e Fr,n
means egress IN OF IRE, on receiving no'ce Ui
side treescape- would miurs their property out many
have found that communicating with escapes hVe
been preferred There are cases OF hotels Wmch
are mucn In need increased means OF exit ana III case
OF fire great loss OF life would doubtless occur !He
owners refuse 10 comply and the cases are BEFORE ne
courts. -, ,r,.o -, o., ot.or
the audience had retired may be regarded as an e1cee
in.ly fortunate circumstance, as Tie DIdihE We lot
provided with proper means Qi eEifs, ana al, Ie
7I % & ,ns ,be fiInv{, theatres nave been greatly
nprved by the erection and extension OF walls between
the auditorium and the carried mp above tue Iuo
Sv scin large skvchs over the stage and in several
improved means OF egress have been provided The New
York Academy OF Music, Madison Square Iheaue FouI-
teenth street Theatre, F0lks Theatre Iaker lHtaLe
Fth Avenue Theatre, Theatre aud Terrace Idrlen
dnGIt - 'ilt U IN t rottces served These cases have
been forwarded for prosecution. The requirements or
the present inadequate tO secure perfect rley
III such buildings During the year Two theatres nave
been erected and performances had IN them before ey
were finished which ia my opinion greatly enddnRtitd
the lives OF the audience II the Mayor OF the ctv has not
the power tOrefusc license the law should confer H.
The rapid destruction Of the large shed Oh fer 90 ana
the great loss Of property therein has proven tha the
method OF construction insufficient 20 Withstand the
effects OF fire long enough afford the remen the slight
est chance 70 stay It's progress This experience led the
Inspector and the Board OF Examiners (who together
have by the authority require that all such stTc
lures piers bukheads should be covered Win
wire netting and plastered the inside or be dled In
between the shedding with porous terra Gotta or some
equally good hFe-prOOf materials and that the ceiling
should covered with heavy wire netting and plastere
with good hair mortar and the whole outside covered
with metal; that the shed be divided into two or more
sections according Its length, with partitions hed ia
as described with openings in centre suclenuy
large for the passage Of loaded trucks these openings
to he fitted with iron doors While these re-
Gurements will not seriously interfere with the OF
the Sued greatly increase the cost, It will be the
means OF saving great amount OF property IN case oi
fire go,
Experience has taught that the present building
laws should be amended. There many sections OF
the law which impose unnecessary burdens Oh owners,
and cause architects and builders great loss OF time all
OF which should he eliminated and nothing contained
therein except what Is necessary for the protection OF
life and property. .,,
prosecution OF cases violation and 10 obtain the pre-
cept OF the remove the same IL that Il not
ACCOMPLISHED all the efforts OF the officers or the Bureau
amount but little. and there are defects In the
law which prevent IT, should be corrected Dy apprO
PIRATE legislation.