New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-12
THE FIRE ESCAPE FRAUD.
ANXIETY IN THE BUILDINGS BUREAU.
sEATOY, THE LYING INSPECTOR, MAKES CHARGES


THEY ARE DENIED.
report was received Yesterday afternoon by Henry
d. PuTroy president OF the Board OF Fire Commission
to the effect that the work Of searching the ruins
Of the Hotel ROYAL for bodies had been completed.
Mr. Purroy summoned Galligan the contractor who
appeared at Fire Headquarters In the afternoon and
made his report to Mr.. Purroy.
Mr.. Plrroy Is quoted saying that there are be-
tween thirty and forty other hotels In this city no safer
tan the Hotel ROYAL 50 far suitable fire escapes are
concerned. The reason assigned for allowing this
condition OF affairs to continue Is the same one which
superintendent Brady has daily reiterated the
OF nefcency In his bureau, namely that the present
laws do not vest the department with the authority
10 enforce the Communications which II makes. The
departments evidently alive 10 the fact ut last that
this Is nj all in the eyes Of the people Of
ills city,
There was a long meeting held Yesterday afternoon
by the Beard Of Examiners and Board OF Fire Com
mlsSonerS In Joint session. The Bosr Of Examiners
consists Of y. lie Brun, william j. Freyar. Of the
Architectural Iron Workers Cornelius O'Rely. OF the
Real Estate and builders Association John W. Muir
ray. OF the Board OF Underwriters Warren A. Conover
and Edwin II. Dobbs. Of the Mechanics and Traders
Exchange, and Thomas J. Brady. superintendent OF
Inspection of buildings. who Is chairman of The board.
An official report Of the proceedings was not given
out. As 1t is proposed to lay the subject before the
Legislature Immediately.
From official sources II learned that among other
changes suggested ut the meeting a law requiring
every hotel public building where people cOngregatc
In large numbers to be absolutely Greproof such build
ing to be provided with Iron doors to cut OIL com
munlcaion In each extension wing In Of fire;
and the compulsory employment Of both night and
day watchman In these buildings
Mr.. Brady did not wish to say anything about the
Investigation Of Kcelcy's Inspections and the extent
rp~nn Al tI. tl.a
affidavit was filed In the Office at the time notice
served on Lyman Israel TO erect the frcescapes which
the bureau Thought were put up on the Sixhave. side
OF the hotel Neither did he 10 express an opinion
ms to the extent OF Mr. seaon's crimlnay. "Mr.
Flndlay, the attorney for the bureau" he said, and
myself went to the DlstrctAtorney's house about
O'Clock and placed with him all the papers In pos
session OF the bureau bearing OH this case"
A letter was published yesterday from william
Saton lr In which he declared that after Inspector
reports the need OF fire escapes on building. the
owners representations the superintendent his deputy
may modify the recommendation madcby Inspector.
This II Is declared done the Sxth-avc front OF
the Hotel Royal, and when the inspector said Law
compiled WITH he meant the bureau had approved.
1t is further maintained that tn, real responsibility
rests on the former superintendent. Mr.. DOench,
Deputy Buck Deputy Buck, II IS charged In this
letter. examined all the horoscopes after the report
was made that they were completed
When this letter shown 10 Mr.. Brady he said
that the allegations against Messrs. D'Ocnch and Buck
were untrue, and he added II there had been a re-
quest to leave the rc-eScapcs of the slXhave. sid.
there would be an application at the bureau show
ing this and the absence Of such record is indsputatc
and positive proof that no such application was ever
made to my predecessors. On Monday thought that
there such escapes the building. for the plans
included them, and they were drawn by Mr.. DOcnchs
hand, would swrar to IT, The bureau certainly ordered
a.
spector certainly reported that this had been done'
Albert +. DOench seen at his hOmvrast even
Ing. lie declared the whole Seaon letter to be full
Of misrepresentation and nonsense NO modla-
cations u an Inspectors recommendations are made
without first being referred back to him for approval"
ins he work Of each one OF his men, that Is impossible.
put mp over 10000 fire escapes. This letter an
the hotel. As a matter OF fact 1T that time
lving IN Fourteenth st."
Coroner MESSENGER call,d on Disrict-Attorncy De
Lanccy Nco to consult him about the adv>abilty Of
making arrests In connection with the Hotel
ROYAL IRE. Mr.. Nlcoll said concerning the
criminal responsibility of seaton, the dismissed
buildings inspector: "On December = 1885, >eaton
reported that there not sufficient of escape
one the Hotel Royal. Superintendent D'Oench issued
notice. requiring the owners TO place certain fire
escapes. ON June II. 1886, sraton falsely reported
that the order had bcen compiled. with. lie
probably b1bed make this statement but he cannot
he prosecuted for this now because the statute OF
limitations would protect him. 1t has been over five
yeaIs since the offence IL there any. com
mittcd. seaon might he tried under section 10 OF the
Penal Code II the statute Of limitations did not again
save him. His neglect To perform his duty with re-
gard 10 the hotel ceased I'm December 1901 when he
Wa transferred TO another district The offence IS
mi,dcmcanor and prosecution must he begun within
two wear, after It's commission.
Seaion and the owners OF the place could be con
vlced Of mansianghter it could be proved that their
neglect "a, the direct cause Of the death " any person.
Under The present statute, violation Of the Building law
mSiemeanor.'
Assistant District Attorney Townsend has been as
signed attend the inquest, which VIII be held next
week.
Fire Marshal 3tchell's examination yesterday salts
fed him that the fire broke ont In the foot OF tho ec-
vat r Shaft. The examination Of Andre Doppor. VINO
slept I'm the cellar showed that he had cScaped through
the Kitchen where there was no fire, when the whole
house was aIiaZc above hin.