The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-21
FIRE ESCAPES NEEDED.
Mayor Myers IDstructs supt. Ma
CURE to Examine Hotels.

An effort viii be- made in a short time
70 compel hotel owners in Savannah 10 at
tach suitable fire escapes 10 their build
ings. The burning Of the Windsor Hotel
n New York and the consequent loss OF
life has impressed upon Mayor Myers the
importance Of giving the matter of es~
caIes prompt attention.
supp Mcguire was directed yesterday
by the Mayor 20 examine thoroughly the
facilities the different hotels have for The
exit Of guests in case OF fire. and also
the means Of giving the a.arm of IRE
from tine inside. Mayor Myers stated in
his communication that the matter was
OF particular Importance, and that he &C.
sires report as soon as pos
sible The chances are notices
viii be sent to the proprietors Of such
hotels as are found iuadequately arranged
for guests to escape.
The question of fire escapes in Savan-
nan Is not novel one. The city Council
has on previous occasions tried 10 en-
force the ordinance requiring escapes. or
at least, has sent out notices for property
owners to comply with the law. All pre-
vious efforts by the city have amounted
however, and until the matter is taken
up with determination. the chances are
there will not be any escapes even where
they are most needed. Superintendent Ma
guire viii probably not have to devote
much time to an investigation of condi-
tons as he IS already familiar with the
list Of hotels and stores where
there IS most danger to life for
want of suitable fire escapes. He made a
tour some months ago, got some thirty or
forty on the list. ana sent them notices 10
attach escapes. inclosng with the notice
a copy OF the ordinance he was endeavor-
ing TO enforce For some reasons not due
10 a lack of interest or duty on the part
of Superintendent Mcguire, the matter was
dropped. and nothing further has been
heard of il. The list of places that We're
adjudged in need Of fire escapes were men
toned in the Morning News at the time
1t was last intended to enforce the law.
If there is any trouble in enforcing the
ordinance, in case Mayor Myers decides to
do this it will not be for want of an ex-
plicit enuncation of the law. 1t is required
that the owners of all buildings
not used as private residences,
three or more stories in hight, shall pro-
vide more than ore way of egress from
each story above the second story by stair
ways on the inside OF outside of the build
ings.
stairways on the outside Of the buildings
must nave suitable rallied landings at each
story above the first, and must connect
with each of said stories by doors or win
dows opening outwardly.
1t il the duty of the chief fireman to ex-
anime such buildings at least once year
90 see that the law is being complied with
For first failure to comply with the law
the fine is cot less than S25 nor more than
500. After notice has been received the
property owner is liable to a fine of S25
and 800 month additional as long as the
violation continues.
How successful the effort may be re-
mains To be SEEN Mayor Myers inten-
ton evidently is to profit by the severe
lesson New York has just received and
prevent such a catastrophe in Savannah
il the enforcement of the law Will pre-,
want IL