The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-03
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Regular Monthly Meeting Held Last
Evening.
MUCH TALK ABOUT THE PARK
THEATRES GALLERY,

City Solicitor Chapman's Report As to
Milk Inspection-various Minor Mat
tiers.
The regular monthly meeting of the
city government was held last evening.
Aldermen Smith and Little were absent.
Tie matter that caused the most talk
even if it was not of smost Importance,
was that gallery in the Park Theatre,
the completion of which was suspended
because of the report of Inspector Ward
phat 1t was not safe and that there was
40 permission granted to build it.
After all the other business was over,
this matter was taken up.
Manager MoCone of the Park Theatre
was present, with his counsel. William
II. Looney, ESQ.,, to protest against the
SECESSION of Inspector of Buildings Ward
Ehey petitioned that the work be
allowed to progress.
Questioned by Mr.. Looney, he testified
bbat they have about 575 chairs. The
seating capacity has never been taxed to
It's uttermost They erected the gallery
most particularly to help the view and to
accommodate the many small people,
boys and girls, that attend. The gallery
has 1856 chairs. In case of need to escape,
the gallery has at one end a set of stairs
four feet wide and at the other end door
tour feet wide, opening outdoors.a The
gallery is about eleven feet wide. The
posts are eight inches in diameter. The
ambers of the gallery are 2K6, BIG and
Ike. Mr.. McCone described the construc-
ned that it would support $50 people, ,
Questioned by Alderman Thompson, he
was a citizen of Portland and was at
present interested in the Park Theatre
building. The posts under the gallery
rest right over-the posts that support the
second floor of the building. He thought
Che building was amply strong enough
Or 100 people. A fire would certainly go
Through the building very quickly, once
ekarted, but he thought there was little
danger.
Mr.. A. d. Smith. the well-known con :
Nac tor and builder, had recently ex-
hmined the gallery and thought that it
would not support 100 people without
danger. He would recommend some
strengthening of The front portion. 1t
oould easily be made sufficiently strong
without much trouble. The rear part is
STRONG enough. He thought the floor OF
the second story was strong enough.
Mr.. Spencer Rogers the well-known
carpenter and builder. had examined the
gallery. He had no doubt that it would
hold all the people it was intended to
hold. 1t was built amply strong enough,
but if the strengthening suggested by
Nr. Smith was made, there could be no
question as to its safety.
Mr.. Washington Libby, the well-known
carpenter and builder, stated that he
thought the gallery strong enough for 15C
boys. He thought hackmetack knee
under each side would put it safe beyond
q doubt for $50 grown people
Alderman Dam asked Mr.. Looney if he
ad informed himself as to why the sus-
pensions of the work had taken place, and
it he knew that it was the result of the
vote of the Board of Aldermen.
z Mr.. Looney wished to know if he un-
,derstood that Mr.. Dam wished to hear
only the testimony of Inspector Ward.
Mr. Dam replied in the negative anG
said that while he had favored the CON
sstruotion of the Park Theatre, he hac
ltaken exceptions to any further extension
Apf their accommodation. He would ask
.tMr. Smith if he had noticed that the
main enterance had door about six feet
,asgide ana that there were three steps out
side the door of octagon shape, that he
considered very dangerous.
Questioned by Alderman buddy, as to
whether he thought the exits of the Park
Theatre as safe AS those of Portland
Nbeatre, considering the size of attend
snoe, Mr.. Smith thought that they were.
Alderman Dam asked Mr.. Libby about
the outside steps. He thought they were
not SO safe as they might be.
Questioned by Alderman buddy, Mr..
McCone said that he would be perfectly
willing to strengthen the front part as
suggested by Mr.. Smith.
Aldermen Thompson and Peters said
that when the license was obtained fol-
the use of the build ing as theatre moth
ing was said about gallery. Alderman
Peters declared that he understood thai
the gallery was erected without the per
@kssion of the inspector.
Inspector Ward was present and said
"He never came to see me till the gallery
was almost completed. He came then a I'd
asked if l would permit him to build q
gallery. I said that I would not and thai
before doing such a thing, he ought to ap
ply to the May or and Aldermen for per
mission. He said that he would an6
went away. That evening was in his
place and the gallery was completed, ex.
cept for the stairway. There's the respect
he sho we'd to this honorable Loard -
MIR. Ward said further, that OF course
You believe in pure food