Evening star., 1902-03-21
HOTEL FIRE ESCAPES
COMMISSION APPOINTED TO EX-
ANIME SAFETY APPLIANCES.
Effort of District Commissioners to
Remove Elements Of Danger
From Fire.

| The District Commissioners today ap-
pointed a committee consisting Of Mr..
Snowden Ashford, the inspector Of build
| fngs; Mr.. Robert w. Dutton, chief engineer
| Of the fire department.; Mr.. A. M. Lawson,
! inspector Of elevators and fire escapes, and
Mr.. A. Leftwich Sinclair, assistant city
| solicitor. to consider and report on the
safety appliances Of hotels, apartment
houses, and other buildings Of similar char
acter.
| The appointment of the committee is an
| important step toward the conclusion of an
investigation that has been going on for
| some weeks past under the direction Of the
Commissioners, and which is designed to
| bring the places Of public gatherings and
abode up to the highest degree Of efficiency
| as regards fire protection and safety and to
make the patrons OF theaters, hotels and
| apartment houses feel the utmost security.
| The committee which the Commissioners
have appointed will not only consider the
| condition Of the safety appliances on exist
ing buildings, but is expected to recon-
mend policy as to requirements Of this
character In the future.
Expect Good Results.
The Commissioners feel that the inspec-
ton which they inaugurated. and which
will have it's elimination in the work of
the committee above named will be fruit
ful Of excellent results, and that the ele
ment of danger from fire will be as far re-
moved as Is possible under all the circum-
stances. The inspection has shown a
rule. it Is stated; that the Washington the
aters, hotels, etc. are well guarded The
inspectors engaged on the work, however,
have found some instances where an i'm
provement might be made. The prOprietors
of the various establishments where these
suggestions have been made have been
eager to act upon them and in this way
much has already been accomplished.
The inspections have been made by Senior
Assistant Chief Engineer William T. Belt
of the fire department.; Mr.. Sidney Bieber,
the fire marshal; Mr.. Walter c. Allen, the
electrical engineer, and MIR. W. E. Bleo.
an inspector of the electrical department.
Both of these departments are under the
supervision of Commissioner Macfarland,
and he has been receiving reports as the
work progressed Assistant Chief Belt and
Mr.. Bieber, the fire marshal. have given
their attention to the matter of fire es-
capes, safety appliances and means Of sup
pressing fire in its incipiency at the thea
ters hotels. etc. They have inspected the
theaters both behind the curtain and in
front and have made the suggestions that
seemed fit. Soon after taking charge of
the fire department Chief Engineer Dutton
adopted the policy Of assigning member
aters during the hours of performances
and at all public entertainments Of i'm
portant size. These f1remen are supposed
to be ready to render immediate service in
employees AS result Of the inspections
it is believed that every precaution against
fire will have been taken.
Precautions Taken.
Messrs. Allen and Bleo Of the electrical
department have directed their inspections
toward the electrical wiring in the hotels.
theaters, etc. to see that every precaution
is taken to prevent a blaze from this
source. A great many fires nowadays are
attr.outed to faulty wiring. From the re-
ports received from these gentlemen Com
missioner Macfarland says the wiring of
public places OF entertainment. etc, seems
to have been well done. The inspectors
have made a number of suggestions to
owners.
The amount of work done by the fire and
electrical departments in these investiga-
tions is said to be very extensive. The COM
mittee appointed today will probably con-
slider all the reports made in the matter,
and will submit their views and recommen-
datfons to the Commissioners