The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-19
PUBLIC BUILDINGS ExIrs.


Some time ago the Congregational
Church of this city raised and expended
$4,000 to make needed Improvements
to the pioneer church structure Of
that religious body. It is the largest,
convenient auditorium in the city, and
is therefore used more than any other,
excepting only the theaters. In that
building are held most of the lectures
and concerts, and many other assem-
blies Very often it is crowded beyond
its safe capacity.
But in making improvements with the
generous fund secured, nothing was
done to render the exits of that build
ing safe or even decently convenient.
The church authorities were be-
sought when making repairs re-
Gently to rectify the miser-
able exits from the gallery, but it was
not done. Some years ago the Record
Union called attention to the danger
Gus character of these exits. and it has
done so very frequently many times
since
It did not, however. make fish Of one
ard flesh Of another. but pointed out
the danger Of the exits of the Sixth
street NJ. E. Church, which used to dis
charge its audiences upon g concentric
circle Of steep, narrow and wholly in
sufficient steps That church took the
hint and corrected itself It has made
its exits ample, handsome and broad
and easy. ard. no congestion Of people
in these exits in case of q panic is
likely at that church.
The other day the City Trustees by
ordinance issued a mandate to the the
aters as to exits. although one Of them
already has more exits, broader and
better ones, than any other house of
the character in the State But why
should the home of the play be dis
eliminated against in favor Of the house
Of God when it comes to the question Of
a broken leg, a suffocated human being
or a crushed body?
The gallery Of the Congregational
Church seats some $50 people. The seats
are very close together, and the aisles
are very narrow. The approach 10 and
exit at either end Of this gallery
consists of a two-foot steep and wind
ing stairway landing directly opposite
main exits from the body Of the aud
itorium inside of narrow hall. If
ever there is the conjunction Of a
crowded house and panic. caused by
earthquake, the cry Of FIRE or the faint
ing Of woman in that church, there
win be such awful death and mangiing
of human beings as has not been known
in this city since the fall of Moore's
Opera house That the church is poor,
indeed in debt, cuts no figure in case
where human life is put in peril
The Trustees were blind Of an eye"
when they took up the case eff the
theaters and failed to see the menace
Of the church. It cannot be said thar
the Record Union speaks in IN
friendly tone Of the church. On the
contrary, it has manifested its kindli-
ness toward it in a hundred ways these
many. years. and it pronounces its aud
itorium the very best in the city to-day
and the only one outside Of the theaters
for a large gathering Of people for con
cert, lecture and similar purposes.
But there is a duty in this matter that
we VIII not disregard. It runs TO the
people. and it now warns them anew
that the gallery Of the Congregational
Church is death-trap If they I'll it
10 pray they may at any moment have
need Of prayer. Just how far the
Trustees are a church going company
Of citizens we know not, but we are
confident that If that respected body of
legislators could be packed INTO that
gallery on the night Of "a full house, .
there would be a special session Of the
city fathers early the next morning
This Is no trivial matter. but one Of
such supreme Importance that it de-
mands instant attention. VIII it have
st?