Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-06-08
THE THEArER ALARM.

Ii 10 regTettable that al the Inontof
on Mondsy evening some foolish
person raised the cry OF fire. slight
puf OF smoke from bakery near by
came In through an outside window
thrown open to admit air, aud elm.
pIeton OF the masouline sender raised
a shout that instantly created panic;
and II 1t had not been for
number OF coolheadei people,
and the generally consistent
frame of mimi OF the audience In
listening to the language Of culmns 81
and reason, the result might have
been serious. As 1t was, four or five
women tainted, and the audience gen
orally received shock OF agitation
which ia not rleuslng In q place Of
amusement.
1t may be quite charitable thing TO
say that the individual who foolishly
gave the alarm really fancied there waa
something wrong,and therefore should
be excused; but the NEWS does not
think 60 to that extent. There is
something OF the charitable feature
to be considered in the effects upon the
audience generally, who are entitled
to such reasonable protection as can be
afforded even against simpletons. The
cry OF fire is one Of the most patent dig
turbers OF the peace that can be
brought into public aseemblage; and
any person who raises the shout upon
mere suspicion, without actual
knowledge OF serious impend.
ing danger, ought to be
punished for disturbing the audi
ence. II the individual who gave the
false alarm in the Thester at last even
ing's performance 10 known, he
ought TO be made TO suffer some
penalty to make him more careful OF
his tongue In future, and to give warm
Ing to others with no better judgment
than he displayed.
30 far rs the actual occurrence OF fire
10 concerned, that building 10 as well
guarded in that respect as any edifice
In the country. To those who know oil
Its situation-snd 1t has been related
to the public, though repetition
might be advisable--there is absolute.
ly no cause for panic, II a fire should
occur. In the fret place, the infiam.
mable material IS reduced to mimi
mum, and In that part where most oil
1t IL, all could be consumed without
serious injury to the audience, were
the latter to remain In the building.
The provisions againBt FIRE are Of the
most effective character, az are also
the arrapg ements for emptying the
building quickly In case OF neces-
sity, when about two minutes
would do the whole work with
an audience under control. The
means OF exit are 70 ample for
emergencies that II either the front or
the back doors should be cut of as a
way OF escape, there still 10 door room
to get the people out quickly and in
perfect safety. 1t is only q panic.
stricken audience that could meet
with injury by Iostling each other,
aud even then all the ordinary ave.
nues Of escape could not be blocked.
The TEeater, therefore. is thoroughly
provided with means Of egress, and no
fire which by any known possibility
can occur there woulc give cause for
q wild rush to any OF the doors,
since there are so many OF these that
the crowd could get out without diff
Guilty. The Thester.goers in this city
may BIO perfectly tranquil as to any
menace from fire In the building,
which in the main is fireproof