The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-19

Jackson-street Theater Friday night, and
ascertain exactly, if possible, what danger
menaced white visitors. lie was accom-
panied by an artist, and the sketches illus
trating this article were taken from actual
scenes. The ceiling above the first stairway
at the lower landing is so low that a man
measuring Ieet inches in height cannot
pass under it without bending his head,
and in rush for the stairway feet inches
in width, and pitched al an angle OF more
than IS Deg, there would undoubtedly be a
jam that would stop ingress or egreSs.
In the passageway leading from the stairs
it was found impossible for two people to
pass without turning Sideways. and, even
then, when two men, one weighing $50
pounds and the other some ten pounds less,
attemp pied to squeeze by, each win his back
to wall, they found it impossible. The
stairway leading up to the stage. while
wide enough. was, as stated, without rail-
ings of any kind, unusually steep, ana III
panic with people rushing, pushing and
crowdihg down from above, those below
would most certainly be showed off and fall.
only to be crushed by those who fell on top
of them afterwnrd.
1t was with full knowledge of this state
of affairs existing in the theater that the
reporter was instructed to interview acting
Chief Sullivan of the Fire Department.
The case was stated to The Chief. and he
readily agreed that not only was the theater
a fireirap and menace to life and limb in
case of fire, but went farther aud said lie
believed that at any time it was dangerous
for crowd to visit the place. When told
how the aisleS of the auditorium were
crowded he Immediately notified one of tie
fire wardens to visit the place and warn the
proprietor.
The reporter asked that he might accom-
pany the Fire Warden and Sergeant Gillen
Of the Chinatown squad also wanted to be
present with his men, IN order IL there was
any violation of the law or anything being
done To increase the already erwhelming
hazard to life and limb, that the people
guilty of allowing the extra Outrages upon
the public safety might be arrested. 1t was
arranged to visit the theater or Jackson
and Washington streets at 80 last night
with the Fire Warden and the police, but
during the afternoon some ore gave the
snap away" and consequently last night
there was no violation OF the law so far a S
crowded aisles in the auditorium were con-
ceTned, but the narrow passages, rlckety,
steep stairs, tiny dark halls and the over
crowded stage remained as on previous
nights.
Chief Crowley and Captain Lees, OF the
police, AMI acting Chief Sullivan OF the
Fire Department all express their constant
fear of the Chinese theaterS, and all three
openly say shat the paSsageways by which
white people are taken into the theater and
upon the stage should be abolished at once
nance it is believed a prosecution of the
owners of the theaters would result in con-
victl1n and a suit viii probably be inStl-
tuted at once To test the matter.
Il has long been a matter of common
rum0r that certain officials were paid by the
Chinese to overlook just such things as the
nre-traps alluded TO above. Chief Crowley
Of the police and Assistant Chief Sullivan
Of the Fire Department admit having heard
such rum0Ts. and Doth heads OF the depart
ments with which the safety of the public
has so much TO do are detsTm med TO prove,
If they can ind the way, that the rUmors OF
corruption are false.
The Chinese boast of an exit they have to
their JacksOn-Street Theater, which opens
out on to Cooper alley. This exit was
examined last night and found barred by
heavy timberS, easily moved by one
familiar with the fastenings, but 10 the
ordinary man or woman as manageable as
the bars of a prison cell The exit only
serves to admit air and is of DO use as an
escape.
Police and fremen alike dread a fire in
Chinatown during the present week, fear
ing panic if an alarm should be sounded.
They, lar better than the average citizen,
know and realize the perls of tile curious
narrow halls and steep stairways of under
ground Chinatown, and they are ready and
waiting for any measure of relief for the
public that can be suggested and that will
be effective. More than anxious is Sergeant
Gillen and his squad. who have done so
much to rid Chinatown of the highbiuders
during the past six months. 1t only re-
mains TO call the attention Of the Super
visors 10 the fire ordinance, if il is ineffect-
i've as it stands. and the greatest menace to
life in Chinatown will be done away with
forever.
District Engineer Wells Of the Fire De-
partment ana the Chinatown police visited
the M0ngolian Theater on Washington
street last ight and found the aisles crowd
ed with spectators. The police charged
upon the spectators in the passages and
drove them to the rear In spite of torrent
Of protests rained upon them in terse
Chinese.