Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-15
A FIREMAN ON HAND.
THE BLAZE AT THE ACADEMY.
IL Ha. Been Invcstigated-No MOTE
Barricadcd Doors-Chicf f"''e' ="
az. distractions mt the school
Houses TO Prevent Panies'

The Board OF Fire Commissioners 40"
fully investigated the fire when oo0u''0 "
nj the Academy OF Music on FRIDAY "'e"'
1anuarv "a. and. while its action mas no
connection whatever with tnat particular
incident qhe inquiry mas resulted IN 'ne
adoption OF a plan which VIII DC aO"''
10 IN future, and viii give the thea'io-
roers and also the schvoi-cniidren Oh '"'
city. all possible protection from '"''''
Nv fro manic. or connection OF any sort
Tho session OF the board was arehdeu
by all the members, ana rres'ue"'
Frischkorn presided.
The examination into the prooao'S
causes OF the little blaze at 'he A0"oei"'
were fully gone into, and the inquiry
.x,spded into what extent the buiidihs
was examined prior TO the opening u
the performance. which was hlcnaru
Mansdeld's presentation OF the seiio"'
MAY ..Rodlon, the Student Chiei fuiiei
said that there had not been ior years
a,v examination of The theatre. either
or,or 70 or after the performances by
any member of the FIRE department
This opinion was dissented from oy o"-
perintendent Thompson, Of the FIRE
Alarm Department. and the Two oniee'S
,aa ouite a iocular lrttle argument on
the subject.
QUESTION AUTHORITY.
The question of authority in sucn cases
was gone into, and the board inquired do
10 whether the doors Of the Academy
,,,s-. locked or barricaded on the evening
-, ,be "a and IL was established ina.
,,av were SO closed, 10 such an extent
that for some time no one was aio"eo
either 70 enter or come out OF 'he pui'u-
ing until II was assured that there was
absolutely no danger
AS a matter of fact. the hre iissi'
.oouptea TO nothing, as IT was only
q ,r,fiine blaze In a Pile OF trash III ohe
-, tho registers, and could not well ha'e
resnlted in the burning OF any part VI
the house. ..o,,s
Aftar a full discussion of what steps
sboula be taken in such cases, the poaru
en,phat,cally expressed the opinion ,ha',
IN the event OF a fire OF any kiilu az
either the Academy or the Ihea'ie, 'i|
doors should not only not DE iocheu'
hut thrown wide open. and eVerEthii,e
nossible TO prevent panic be promptly
done.
CAPTAIN TAYLOR'S RESOLUTION.
cantain Charles +. Taylor, the mem
her from Madison Ward onered resp
luton in this connection, which was
unanimously adopted. providing uia'
man in full fireman's uniform shouiu pe
a.. cot Of4-hn
detailed from one OF the s'auo'i-no.9
IN attend every performance at e'ther
of the places OF amusement anu ~
main there IL constant process Oh III
enection of the building from reason
obie time before the performance com
rosnces until after ii shall have endeu
and all the people shall have vacated the
nremises The resolution of Captain ray
ior distinctly stipulates that the mem
her of the department thus assignee TO
dutv shall not spend his time in slttins
down and witnessing the play; but shall
move about through the house, IN tne
basement, about the furnaces. beninu t'ie
flies. in the galleries, about the TOOL
and, I'm fact I'm every part OF the pu"u-
ing where 1t is possible Tor a hfe 10 oe-
cur. ,,,,-
In this same connection Captain ray
Tor osfered another resolution, directing
the Chief Of the Fire Department 10
make an inspection at once OF all ,he
school-houses of the city, and see that
all the doors of such institutions open
outwardly, and give such Instructions as
he may deem necessary to the teachers
and superintendents. or principals, WIN
reference 10 what they should 90 IN the
event OF fire or the probability oil
panic This proposition was also uhahi-
J
mously agreed TO by the BOARD
II is believed that these two schemes
for the protection of life will greatly
allay any apprehension. not only on the
part Of theatre-goers, but on the part OF
the children in the numerous schools oil
Richmond and of their parents.