Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-12-13
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE.
Some Things the Selectmen Might
Do For Christmas.

Sanitary experts say that is the most
acceptable manner of disposing of peo-
pie when they have finished their life
on earth, and they are probably right.
But they have never advocated, so fer
as we have noticed, the adoption of that
theory until after death.
So we will ask the question in an
other form: Do you believe in crema-
ton before death? This is no joke,
neither is it patent medicine reading
notice. We are considering what may
be, and not only that but what is very
apt to be if the selectmen do not get a
move on and tend to business.
On several occasions we have taken
pains to express our belief that there
should be some fire protection on the
stage at the Opera House. Perhaps
you remember it. Some people do, for
our attention was called to the matter a
few days ago, and it appears like a
good time to revive it.
Did you ever take a piece of cloth
soaked full of oil, touch a match to it
and see how fast the flames would
spread? If you have, you may have
some idea of the danger of fire at the
Opera House when the stage is filled
with scenery done with oil paints.
Monday night there were AZ drop cur
tains hung above the stage, besides the
large pieces stored at the sides and the
scenery owned by the town. Those AZ
drops represented about 10000 square
feet of inflammable material, and the
other scenery fully as much more.
There is always more or less fire used
about stage at any show, for co'ored
and calcium lights, smoking, ETC., and
ofcourse some danger results. This is
reduced to minimum by the watch
| fulness of the stage hands, but there is
always liability of accidents. Then
the stage hands are powerless, for there
is not the slightest protection nor means
to put out a fire.
We believe there is piece of garden
hose fastened onto the faucet at the
sink, when that is not being used for
other purposes, but it would be of no
use to put out fire. The stage hands
and actors would doubtless do all in their
power to put out the flames, and barely
escape with their lives, even if they
were that fortunate. If the hall were
well filled the spectators would not fare
so well. 1t would take but a few min
utes for fire to spread over the whole
house and many would be suffocated
and burned, even if they escaped in
jury during the stampede down. the
single fight of stairs. Then the papers
would have a big heading of the Ter. Ter
rible Holocaust" and your name, or the
name of some one dear to you, would
be printed in black type among the
list of missing or injured. Most people
: like to have their name in print, but
not in the death column or among the
police court notes.
Who would be responsible for such
an accident-or it might be called
| crime? Certainly not the stage man
ager or his assistants, for they are de-
MED the power of protecting the audi
ence Who then could be blamed but
the selectmen who, having the power,
will do nothing toward relieving the
danger. They have been appealed to
time and again, as you all know, to put
hydrants on the stage with hose coiled
up ready for use, but without avail
To lessen the danger still more they
have been asked to have notices printed
and posted on the stage fOrbidding
smoking there but they have refused.
Actors, or any one for that matter, will
smoke when they feel like it if smok-
ing is not prohibited but let the select
men post notices and the stage man
ager has power 10 stop smoking. Can
you induce the town fathers to interest
) themselves in the matter? IF they
; care nothing for the lives of the citi-
zens, they may be the kind that could
be turned into the right path by love
for the almighty dollar. There is
large investment of public money in
that building, and they are bound by
their oath of office (such as take an
oath, and all should), to look after the
finances of the town to the best of their
ability. Are they doing so when they
fail to remove the dangers which
threaten the town property?
1t is useless to talk further, but we
f might as well make it three of kind
, and speak again of the fire escapes.
t The laws of 1892 have section relating
to fire escapes on theatres, hotels, etc.
, We have published the law in full, and
) it is not necessary to do so again. The
. selectmen know what it is and you
probably remember. But do you re-
| member that if you make a complaint
: to town grand juror or the states
: attorney the selectmen will be liable to
e a fine of S25 and costs or more, if bound
e over to the county court That is one
\ way they can be brought to see their
f duty We have hoped that SIlch a