New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-08
CONDEMNING THE THEATRE.
MR. D'oENCH AGAINST THE UNION SQUARE

REPORT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DECLARING
THE WALLS UNsAFK-Mn PALMER INDIGNANT
There can now be no doubt that the Bureau OF
Buildings will enforce the latest laws governing
theatre construction In the rebuilding OF the
Union Square Theatre. Last Saturday the Mayor
forwarded to Henry d. Purroy, president OF the
Fire Department q letter from o. Barnard. OF East
Observation-Disclosures tyNseventh-shs protesting
against the restoration of the burned theatre. Tic
Fire Department instructed Superintendent
DOench to make personal inspection of the the
atre walls ETC. Mr. DOench yesterday made his
report to President Purroy. 1t is in substance as
follows:
The walls inclo.ng the auditorium are about sixty feet
high and foundation show thickness OF twenty,
sixteen and twelve inches They built OF brick lau
in limo The foundation walls are OF stone ana
brick It is possible to measure them they show
q thickness OF twenty-four inches These walls seem
originally to built for some other purpose than
tho theatre. being full Of nucs recesses and WIN
dow openings the majority Of the window openings nov"
ever being bricked. There is nothing homogeneous
about the walls They not good now, never "ere'
and should not have been used as the main walls OF
theatre They Of insufficient thickness and devoid OF
al buttresses They should have done the duty
they performed and should not now be used again.
in whole In part, II strengthened by lining or
butressng
The proscenium wall likewise is but very nmsy
srucon being twelve inches and partly four Inches
thick above tho stage level fournch thick part being
merely eproof filling in front Of the wooden truss over
tho prosceniun opening Tho balcony and gallery have
been so much injured require rebuilding Nothing
remains OF the roof Tho only part OF the
building escaping complete destruction is the stage ana
this is the smaller portion Of the structure IL seems 10
me- that tho building virtually destroyed and that
II the be rebuilt It should be reconstructed IN
conformity provisions OF section 500 OF tho build
Ing laws.
In conversation with Tribune reporter, Mr..
DOench supplemented this report with an en-
phatically expressed personal wish that the whole
theatre might be rebuilt from the ground up.
Said he:
Too much care cannot be taken in building theatres,
and as take a particular interest in seeing them made
safe, 1 shall DO everything in power to carry out
the law would go further than the present law,
TOR it still permits wooden galleries and roofs This
should be changed.
The Fire Commissioners have not taken action
on the report, and no plans have been submitted
to the Building Bureau by the proprietors of the
theatre but already stated the course OF actlon
to be taken by the authorities cannot be doubted
Charles Il. Palmer one or the owners OF tne
Union Square Theatre and Morton House, SAID:
I have Just received an account OF Superintendent
D'Oench's report. and think 1t extremely preudced
and unfair and I'm some instances It is absolutely incorrect
He states balcony and gallery have been so nuch
Injured require complete rebuildng' This Is not
So as any one by going Into the theatre and
looking for himself Again no says Il" The proscenum
wall is a very fmsy construction" Well 1t was put
up under his inspection and nimsy" though he calls
It. everything behind 1t saved Nor is he correct
about thickness OF the walls As far as their safety
goes we have the opinion of best experts that they
are uninjured and sufficiently strong Fortunately Mr.
DOenchs opinion doesn't settle matters II he refuses
to plans appeal to the Mechanics Com
ttee composed of three members Their decision Is final