New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-09
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL
SIRE BROTHERS SIDE OF 1T.
SAY THEY HAVE BEEN HARASSED BY HE
BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In view of the many nisstatements concern
ing our troubles with the Department OF bUlIuIIss
relative 10 certain changes which the supertntend
ent of that department has demanded De MADE III
the New-York Winter Garden. it has become neces-
sary as a matter of justice TO ourselves to make
a plain statement of the facts as they exist that
the press and public may judge whether or NOT we
have been dilatory in carrying out the orders OF
the Building Department, and if we are or are not
victims OF peculiar construction Of the laws ny
the head of the Department Of Buildings
While we DO not care to make the broad asser-
ton that we are being 9t a fs Since
the present administration has come INTO power we
whose inspectors. like poor relations have Peen
with US daily BtGnE 0q5 t tne We nave done
everything in our power. but still that department.
some time ago we were notified by the Police
Department that we must procure s fP2SS
we now have and always had license authorizing
US TO give theatrical performances N 51e
both entertainments are given In that oulIdns;
roof Jointly under the one license raised issue,
and finally deposited the sum necessary with me
Police Department Ta[ne9 tna Iac5d sioense
dePaGI zen aIlG Pfepent OF Tuiidgs stepped in
Lnea e yn s 9TH 1oTice that sHTera Violations
Of the Building Code existed. He also notified
the atsr informed Us that the alleged Violations
must be removed before he would grant LiGsI,se;
We promptly set to work and removed the a!!egg :;
violations. one OF which was our printing Plant ~
basement. Another
, perinteudent that the entire flooring or the
Winter Garden. the footlights on the sage the
curtain, scenery and props. be removed. ana
that the asbestos covering OF the roof be taken
away. To DO this meant that we abandon giving
performances on the roof and close up.
We believed this demand TO Re uurea soma Die
and explained the Superintendent OF Build
ings. who informed representative that II we
removed the other violations he would modify the
last named. We have done and at i great cost
yet the superintendent has not modified his de-
Uands. and has reported Police Commissioner
Partridge that we have not removed the violations
This is untrue and misleading. and the inspectors
Of the Buildings Department who have made daily
examinations of the building know il. We have
10 trouble with the Fire Police departments
We maintain that have complied with the
laws; that doing so. and that the Network
Winter Garden is as safe place of amusement as
there is anywhere. The published statements in
the nevspa pers ennanatng from the heads OF the
Department Of Buildings are calculated TO lnjure
business, and we hold that Il is our right TO
set ourselves In the proper light before the public
What the Buildings Department CONSTITUTES as vlo-
lations, viz. the flooring, the stage footllghts
curtains, etc, have always existed since the build
ing was erected and performances have always
been given.
We hold that we have violated no law. and are
not violating any in giving two perfOrn1a noes
under a single license. We not anxious to Hp-
pear antaEonistic any city department or 10 vio-
late any law. but forced 70 protect our
rights. SIRE BROTHERS.
Nev-York April ! 1902