St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-27

feeling of insecurity In the minds OF its
patrons. In the construction of the house
every reasonable precaution has been taken
10 protect an audience against fire and TO
render the danger as small as possible in case
of panic from any cause. fio not propose
now to refute the statements made by the
Pioneer Fr~s, In detail. but as the lives aud
safety of the public are involved, would re-
spectfully ask this chamber to appoint COM
mittee to visit the Grand Opera house, and,
in connection with the city inspector, Hon.
Gates A. Johnson, examine all its exits, halls,
stairways and protection against fire, and re-
port thereon to this body whether or not the
statements made In the article referred TO are
justihable or otherwise. Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
VIM. F. DAVIDSON.
To the st. Paul Chamber of Commerce:
The committee appointed last Monday
upon the request of Commodore Davidson
to inspect and report upon the Grand Opera
house with regard to its safety as q public
hall, respectfully report:
That careful examination of the building
and appurtenances, from the basement to the
roof, and of its surroundings. has been made
| by the committee.
We find that the house is founded upon
solid rock, that the walls separating 1t from
the Court block on the north, and the old
| Opera house block on the west, are of sufficient
thickness and strength, with no openings
except those necessary for and used as exits
from the Opera house through the other
buildings. The Opera house as a building
seemed to US to have been substantially con-
structed in oil parts, and we did not observe
anywhere any sacrifice OF strength or safety
to save expense. The building is heated By
gtpHm lp hpip tod in
area outside OF the house, and the engines
and other machinery are in the basement of
the Court block. Tue basement of the Opera
house is entirely free and clear, containing
no boilers, engines, heating apparatus tex
cept steam pipes). or combustible materials
or rubbish. The walls and floor are OF stone
and cement. A large brick vault is built in
this basement, and will afford ample and
safe storage for all spare scenery and stage
appurtenances that are from time to time
usually consigned to the basement Of such
houses, and ii the RUE to place all such spare
material in it is strictly enforced there will be
no danger from fire here. The dressing
rooms in the basement and elsewhere are
lighted with gas jets protected by wire screens,
and by electric lights.
We found the stage supplied with hydrants
and hose on each side and each story, all
conveniently arranged and apparently In
good order.
large yeutilator in the roof over the stage
is arranged to be opened. In case of fire on
the stage, by lines within reach of the en-
ployes thereon, or. to open automatically il
the lines should be cut or burned off. This
is designed to give such a draft and exit to
flames and smoke directly over the stage ms
to prevent them from Immediately filing the
audience room. Care and frequent inspec-
ton toskeep this apparatus in order and tn
train employees to Understand and use it will
be necessary to make ii reliable-the same
must beisaid of the ''iron curtan,' another
device for keeping stage fire from the audi
ence room, which has been experimentay
provided in some theaters but not here The
stage aud,aceessories are separated from the
auditorium Except as to the single opening)
by plaster partition ON wire lath. An iron
or wire gauze curtain would, If dropped al
the critical moment. in case of
fire on the stage cOnfine flames, but
not gas or smoke, for a time 10 the space be-
hind it, This is the only additional appIi-
ance for thai purpose that the committee can
suggest and this one Is not so far as the coIl-
mttee is Informed, in common or general
use nor has its practical value been proved
by actual experience. The stage accessories,
character and material, but every precaution
that prudence could suggest seems to have
been taken to secure safety. The gas lights
are all protected aud the curtains and canvas
generally have been saturated with solution
to render them far may be incom busti-
bic. The exits are o! ample capacity, CON
venientiy located and conspicuousy marked
as such. The doors thereof, with the single
exception of one OF the stage exits, open out
wardy upon landings with convenient pas
sageway TO the open streets. The exit dOurs
generally are in two or three leaves each and
are secured by inside bolts at top and bottom.
Upou the recommendation Of the committee
these bolts are 10 be so arranged that they
may be simultaneously and easily drawn by
the simple turning Of single brass handle
placed In n conspicuous and convenient po-
siIiOn on the inside OF the doors, all the
leaves of which may thus be at Unee thrown
open by the fist man or woman who in case
OF panic may rcach'them. Without and pre-
vious 10 this change they could have been
opened by any person who should take the
time 10 draw the bolts separately or who
should kick them of their hinges, rs was
done experimental,y in the course OF our ex-
animation and inspection, the doors being
hung very slightly. With the new appliance
there can beno danger Of failure to make
the exits available in case Of need. The
house has electric communication with fire
department headquarters and the distrist tel
egraph ceutral office.
In conclusion, the specific complaints that
are made In the newspaper article referred
to this committee are:
First That OF the exits, ''the majority
are said 10 be locked during performances as
far as can be asccrtained."
Second That when crowded the family
circle is unsafe ~
Third. "Aisles too narrow"
Fourth. ''No iron drop on stage to cut of
FIRE from that quarter"
Filth. "a jam possible"
Sixth. Gallery staircases poorly located
and easily cut off 10y fire.
Seventh. Material Of building very iu-
fammsble, ETC."
Eighth. ''NAin entrance too far from
theater proper and easily crowded"
To these the committee reply:
First. That the locking OF the doors dur
ing the entrance OF an audience is usual for
obvious reasons. but not dangerous
or Objectionable, for the unbot-
ing throws the doors all open re-
gariless Of the lock which merely holds one
door 10 another and prevents opening from
the outside.
Second. The family circle is IN our judg-
ment sale when al the seats are occupied IL
that Ia what is meant by crowded"
Third. That tire sisirs are ample in width
and 10 number 90 serve any legitimate use
Fourth. There IS no iron drop curtain
Filth. \ Jam Is possible IN any pub ic
hall. We think one is as unlikely to occur
here, or to prove dangerous If II did occur as
in any Opera house within our knoEIedge.
Sixth. We do not see how. n there Is to
be gallery al all the stairosses could be bet
ter located. aud We DO not think they are to
be easily cut OF by fire.
Seveoih- Much Of the stage material and