Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1899-10-28
IN A HOTEL FIRE.
How the Guests Act When the
Alarm Is Given.
A Steady Nerve Is n Persons Only
SaIyation-TO Become Terror
Stricken Mems Sure
Destruction.

The recent burning of the Windsor
hotel in New York city has set PEG
pie all over the country to thinking
Of what they would do ii q similar case.
In consequence Of which the ire chiefs
of the various large cities have been
deIuged with letters Of injuries for
rules for escape. The average person
seems to think, says . veteran fireman,
that yCuCauIaN general rules fol cUntiu-
gencieS which are not once in a cen
fury Of like circumstances. The act
of the matter is that no one can pre-
direct escape from such Il fire as that
of the Windsor The only thing which
car possibly save anyone IS just what
most people under those conditions
have nOt-steady nerve.
Every fireman who goes into such a
place is in as much danger as the guests.
with the possible difference that his
respiratOr protects him from poisonous
fumes. But. as for knowing which way
to turn, he knows even less than the
transient roomer. He relies on his
native good sense which discipline has
preoonserved for him. In other words,
he keeps his head about him.
When a fire alarm is given in an no.
tel the first Impulse of the guests, es-
pecially if it be at night, is to rush
out into the hall. Halls beirg the best
of f1ues they are always filled with
smoke, if not with fame, long before
the Don is impregnated. The guests,
who did not notice in calmer moments
which way to urn to the stair, invaria-
bly, 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 re-
turns straightway, that is if he can, to
his room, although he does not know
exactly why. He has a dim idea that
it is to consider. But under such cir
cumstances consideration is impossible.
So he PUSHES out again, only to find,
in all probability, that the flames have
now reached the door of his room. If
there be not a fire escape leading from
his window he is lost. He has let his
golden opportunity slip by.
No fireman ever stops to think. Il
his instinct cannot guide him Alright
he is unworthy of the place.
Discussion of the various kinds OF
fire-escapes is now engaging the at
tention of the New York hotel keepers
In keeping with the requirements O.
the law there are rope fire-escapes il
all hotels where there are no balcony
and iron ladder tire-escapes, but ever,
large fire demonstrates that the rop,
is not a trustworthy means of escape
In most instances these ropes are jus
as they came from the original coil
and to descend by means of one o
them, hand over hand. from a higl
point, requires considerable acrobat
skill and not a little endurance, bot
Of which would count for nothin,
among panic-stricken people.
In a few hotels the ropes are knotte,
at intervals of about two feet, whic
makes the task of descending a littl
less hazardous. Some houses are SUP
piled with ladders made by connectin
two ropes with wooden lungs. but a
these ladders when swung from a VIII
dow hang fiat against the wall the
offer a poor foothold, and another lac
der similar to this, but with offset
which keep it away from the wall, ha
found some sale. But the rope ladder
;, as well as the smooth or knotted rope
y are not practicable for hysterical won
= en-. children, invalids or injured person
because to be Of service the ipeopl
VIII make use OF them must posses
% qualities which should be looked fe
only in calm and healthy adults.-Ci1
cinnati Enquirer.