Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-31
CHICAGO FIRE HORROR WORST WORLD EVER SAV

been taken, to administer the last sac i raments to members of the Catholic church. He was followed an instant later by Bishop Muldoon Finding that they were unable to attend the great number being brought in, Bish- op Muldoon announced that he would give general absolution to all the Catholics among the victims. This he d1d and the scene was most affecting.
 While the dead were being examined by friends to-day, the records of the city building department were also being closely scrntinized The report of the inspector, Edward Loughlin is that not one of the building ordinances < in the construction of the Iroquois was violated. The building was believed to be absolutely fre-proof. It was provided with twenty seven double fire exits. Coroner Traeger has em- panneled jury Of six men and if any persons are responsible for the fire they will be punished to the full ex- tent of the law.
 Mayor Harrison when he first heard of the theater disaster was in Kansas City. He announced his intention to issue proclamation suggesting the closing down of all business on Satur- day, which will probably be the general burial day. He said he would also issue procla nation asking for the ob- servance of perfect quiet on New Years eve.
 The following message was received this morning:
 Washington, D. C.. Dec a1, 1903. Hon Carter H. Harrison, Mayor of Chi
 cago:
 Tn common with all our people and to the people of Chicago my deep trophe which has befalIen your city.
 THEODORB ROOSEVELT.
 London, Dec 31.-The following message, which the lord mayor of Lon don, Sir James T. Ritchie, transmits through the Associated Press, well voices the consternation and sym pathy which prevails throughout the British metropolis over the disaster at Chicago yesterday.
 Mansion House, London.
 Dec 431, 1903.
 The citizens of London offer their deep sympathy and sincere condoI ence with the American people in the awful loss of life in the fire at Chi cago
 (Signed JAMES T. RITCHIE,
 Lord Mayor of London l
 To the lord mayors message of | sympathy which was also transmitted to the United States embassy, br ! which it will be forwarded to the state at Washington, Ambassa- dor Choate replied:
 .'I have received your message of | in behalf of the citizens of l London, to the people of the United States in the tragic calamity at Chi ! ago and thanlt you most sincerely. | nave transmitted it to Washington.
 (Signed) .CHOATE.'
 All, local and foreign topics of inter- sst were forgo1ten here this morning II the universal horror over the Iro- luois theater tragedy, The extra edi- ions of the newspapers giving the lat sst details were eagerly bought up, md the newspaper placards only bore Il f1aring type the announcement of t 'urther news from Chicago.
 Throughout the morning Americans 'esident in London made frequent in- Iuiries at the office of the Associated Press. The flags over the American teamship offices were half-masted
 The accounts of the deadly panic were read by the English people with peculiar sympathy and horror, for the ,antonime season here is now at it's leight and the London theaters are LaiIy packed with women and chil- ren. The disaster of yesterday doubt ess keep many Londoners from send ng their children to the usual Christ nas holiday pantomime.
 The afternoon newspapers cOmmentI on what the Globe erms "One of the most terrible dis sters of it's kind in the last hundred ears,'' and goes on to say:
 "It is difficult to understand how he Chicago authorities came to per { lit such an awful death trap to be { onstructed.'' } The Globe thinks that in the outset 1ere could have been no adequate fire lt ppliances, or else they failed to work ( nd does not believe that ill this coun- " any theater management would be so utterly helpless
 "The scheme of exits says the all Mall Gazette, appears to have cen practically worthless"
 The St James Gazette says: ''The ghastly kolacaust at least caches the wisdom of the local ordi- ' ance which requires the fire proof :. :. lrtain to be lowered once every even- lg to ensure its good order. The Westminster Gazette points to le terrible regularity with which ! hristmas tide coincides with | great Isaster and thinks it only shows how ecessary to public security are theI leater regulations which so often are eemed oppressive. F
 UPTON HAS S1.oo0. : London, Dec 31.-sir Thomas Lipton I Iys he believes that sympathy is best ,idenced by helping the sufferers, and