New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-22
Welded PRECAUTIONS.
changes

The crowds which VIII gatner I'D Inls city
for the Dewey celebration viii put Our various
institutions to severe test. our hotels will he
filed to the limit Our transportation facilities
will he taxed 10 and beyond their utmost
capacity. Our fremen will have to he more
than ever keeny on the watch. If they are
called out they Will have extraordinary dim
Guilty in reaching point of danger. because OF
the congested condition Of the streets. and the
absorption Of popular attention in the festivities
will give opportunity for dangerous fires To burn
for long time unnoticcd. The tragedy Of the
last St Patricks Day procession ought to he
sufficient warning There are hotels and
apartment houses along the line Of march IN
which there will be all the elements present for
another Windsor Hotel horror. and by just 50
much as the occasion IS more interesting than
the usual 81 Patrlck's Day parade the chance
is greater that those clements will bc set in
motion for destruction.
We do not want by causing unnecessary
anxiety, 10 diminish enjoyment Of n patriotic
festival But il Is important that tho danger
should be faced and adequately provided
against. Much has been said about the OPP
portunltes for robbery md the police are TAX
ing extraordinary precautions 10 protect the
people from the criminal classes. but equal pre-
cautions are needed to protect them from their
own carelessness and from neglect of duty by
hotel servants apartment janitors and others.
IF there had been proper discipline and the ser
wants had not deserted their posts to look at
procession the Windsor Hotel fire could hardly
have made fatal progress before il was dls-
covered Every fireman. every policeman, every
citizen. should be on his guard against fire. and
equally on his guard against losing his head IN
case Of fire and starting panic.
The Building Department. too, has special
duty beyond giving permits for the erection Of
stands along the line Of march It's responsible
~ in that matter appears 10 he recognized
though there is always the possibility in the
rush of preparations Of inadequate scrutiny OF
plans and still more inadequate inspection OF
their execution The officials cannot have borne
in on their minds too strongly the fact that the
lives of thousands depend on their frmness
and honesty and care The city grants permits
for the erection Of platforms within the stoop
lines. while specifically discamng all response
bility for damages and compelling the owner 10
take his own risks hut If ne sells seats To hun
dred people and gives them n fall, through the
failure Of the building inspectors TO be strict
with n favorite contractor, the moral RESPONSE
hjlitv Of the city 10 It's guests and visitors will
not he lifted by any such condition. Other things
than the stands also need attention. Many
now buildings are going mp along the line Of
march Temporary plank sidewalks are placed
before them Rough ratings surround their ex-
cavatons. Great tunnels Of scaffodng are built
ont from them for the protection Of passers-
by below Each and every one Of those struct
ures should have particular Inspection with a
81 4i,o
ton. Sidewalks which are safe enough FOR the
ordinary traffic may not be safe when packed
with solid masses Of humanity as they are al
most sure 10 be on the days Of the paradeS
Fences which answer the purpose when there
are no struggling crowds forced against them
become useless as barriers when those on the
edge are AZ the mercy OF waves Of people who
DO not 500 the danger
We notice that in Fifth-ave II IS proposed to
use the roof OF one OF the tunnel Scaffoldings
as the foundation for \ stand extending clear
10 the curb The ordinary permit allows stands
only 10 the stoop line and what special right
the owner Of q new building may have 10 oc-
cupv more room than others for stands. because
he occupies il temporarily for a scaffod 10 pro-
tect pedestrians from his building operations. Is
not APPARENT Nevertheless. we have no dis
position 10 call for undulY techncaI r'S'Ilc-
tons on the popular desire to secure all possible
space from which 10 see the paradcs The I'M
portant thing IS not so much that no private
stand shall trespass on public property ms That
every stand shall he absolutely safe. The utill-
cation Of scaffoldings for stands should there
fore be carefully supervised. The scafolds are
not built for that purpose. and there IS great
danger that contractors, in frying 70 make a
double use Of them. will sacrifice safety 10
profit.
New-York wants everybody IN have 2 good
time and see as much as possible, but II does
not want repetition Of tho Moscow coronation
! at rs merrymakng.
DISPLACEMENT or LABOR.