The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-01-06

turns should never be allowed under any
circumstances. If there must be turns,
let them be curves. They should be wide
and the steps should be broad Converg-
ing stairways are very pretty architectur-
ally, but they are as bad a feature as
it is possible to get into theater. In
building stairways and exits the one point
that should always be borne in mind is
that they should be arranged to separate
the crowds, not to bring them together.
Let your stairways start from the center
and run out, never the reverse.
1.-The stage should be in separate build
ing from the auditorium of the theater.
That is. there should be a heavy fire wall
between the two parts of the building
and there should be no opening except
that of the curtain opening. An asbestos
or other strictly fireproof curtain should
be on hand and should be used at every
performance to insure its being in proper
working order. This curtain should not
be hung as curtains are usually hung but
should run in a slit in the center OF the
arch. 1t should extend five or SIX feet INTO
the wall at each side to prevent 1T from
bellying out in the draft caused by the
fire. 1t should drop through trap in the
moor of the stage and fall clear to the
floor of the auditorium itself. This cur
tain would prevent fire on the stage
from reaching the auditorium for time
at least and would give the audience plen-
ty of time to get out. 1t would also pre-
vent the smoke and gas from the fire from
reaching the auditorium in sufficient guam
titles to cause suffocatiot. This is the
only way that has yet been devised to
hang an asbestos curtain and make it OF
any practical use.
"There should not be door in the
30, 4ho4 % Vnt b11nU on HO1hln
hinges, so that they would swing both
ways The doors should be very large
and should swing easily.
"I'he stage is. of course, the greatest
danger spot in a theater and it Is there
that practically all theater fires originate.
Scenery at its best is very inhammable
and the gauze used so largely nowadays
burns like gunpowder. Every piece OF
scenery should be made as near fireproot
as possible and the utmost care should be
taken in handling it. Electric lights are
great danger, perhaps the greatest on
the stage OF course all wiring should be
done by an expert and nothing but the
best materials should be used. The in
sulation should be looked to with the
greatest care The independent fuse sys
tenn should be used in all cases and loose
wires should be replaced very often so
that there may be no danger of the in
sulation becoming broken or loose. All
connections. switches and fuse boxes
should be carefully protected and the in
dependent fuse system should always be
used
''None but the best electricians and
watchmen should be used in a theater,
and every man should be compelled to
take every possible precaution. There
should be plenty of fire extinguishers and
hose lines and the men on the stage
should have regular fire drills several
times week. They should all be trained
in fire fighting and in case of a fire every
man should have his station and his duty
clearly in his mind.
"Another great mistake most theaters
make is in having boys for ushers. Men
of experience. who will remain cool I'M
der all circumstances, should be constant
ly in all parts of the theater. for one cool
man may save hundred lives in case of a
panic Frightened people are much like
sheep, and a good leader can sometimes
keep them in line even when they are
half scared out of their wits.
81 don't suppose that there is a the
alter in the United States that is built
in the manner l describe, but every point
that | have mentioned should be taken
care of in every theater, There are a
thousand other points that might be men
toned. but if these few are carried out
people need have little fear of injury in
a theater."