Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-04-28

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The burning Of the Windsor Hotel
has set people all over the country to
thinking Of what they would do in a
the fire chiefs of the various large
cities have been deluged with letters OF
inquiry for rules for escape, says the
Cincinnati Enquirer. The average per-
son seems to think, says local veter-
an, that you can lay general rules for
contingencies which are not once in
a century Of like circumstances. The
fact of the matter is that no one can
predirect escape from such fire as
that of the Windsor. The only thing
which can possibly save any one is
just what most people under those con-
dition have not-steady nerve.
Every fireman who goes into such
q place Is in as much danger as the
guests, with the possible difference
that his respirator protects him from
poisonous fumes. But. as for know
ing which way to turn, he knows even
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lies on his native good sense, which
discipline has preconserved for him.
In other words, he keeps his head
about him.
When a fire alarm Is given in an
hotel, the first impulse Of the guests,
especially if it be at night, is to rush
out into the hall. Halls being the best
of Hues they are alwaye filled with
smoke, if not with fame, long be-
fore the room is impregnated. The
guests, who did not notice in calmer
moments which way to turn to the
stair, invariably run in that direction
which seems to be most free from fire.
This is, of course, away from the stair.
Finding the way blind, or an unknown
passage stretching away before him,
he returns straightway, that is If he
can, to his room, although he does not
know exactly why. He has dim idea
that it is TO consider. But under such
circumstances consideration is impos-
sible. So he rushes out again, only to
find, in all probability, that the flames
have now reached the door of his
room. If there be not fire escape
leading from his window he is lost.
He had let his golden opportunity slip
by.
No fireman ever stops to think. If
his instinct cannot guide him Alright,
he is unworthy Of the place. Discus
sion of the various kinds of fire es-
capes is now engaging the attention of
the New York hotel keepers. In keep
ing with the requirements Of the law
there are rope fire escapes In
all hotels where there are no balcony
and iron ladder fire escapes, but every
large fire demonstrates that the rope
is not trustworthy means of escape.
In most instances these ropes are just
as they come from the original coil,
and to descend by means OF one or
them, hand over hand, from a high
point, requires considerable acrobatic
skill and not little endurance, both
of which count for nothing among
panic-stricken people.
In few hotels the ropes are knotted
at intervals of about two feet, which
makes the task Of descending little
less hazardous. Some houses are sup
piled with ladders made by connecting
two ropes with wooden rungs, but as
these ladders when swung from win
dow hang fat against the wall they Of
fer a poor foothold, and another ladder
similar to this, but with offsets which
keen it away from the wall has found
some sale. But the rope ladders as we'll
as the smooth or the knotted ropes are
not practicable for hysterical women,
children, invalids or injured persons,
because to be Of service the people who
make use Of them must possess quail
tiles which should be looked for only
in calm and healthy adults.