Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-02-03

Davis. one Of the managers OF the thea
ter, for failing TO properly equip the the
alter as demanded by the city ordinances
and for failure to properly drill and in
struct his employees. Carter II. Harri-
son Mayor OF the city of Chicago. be
cause Of lamentablo lack of force in his
attempt to sh.rt the responsibility upon
his suborlinates. whose inefficient work
under his administration forms a menace
TO the city; Building Commissioner
feorge Williams, because he grossly neg
ected his duty in permitting the Iro-
quois Theater to open before the building
was complete and fully equipped in com
pliance with the building ordinances Ed
ward Loughlin, building inspector, be-
cause of gross neglect of duty in care
less inspection of the theater and report
ing it 20. k; Fire Marshal William II.
Musham, because of neglect of duty i'll
failing to enforce the city ordinances re-
lating to his department and for failure
to exact report from William Saller,
the fireman stationed at the theater;
William Saller, because of gross neglect
In not reporting the lack of fire appara-
tus and applian ,es; William McMullen,
the food light operator, because of neg
lect and carelessness; James Z. Cum
mings, because of gross neglect OF duty
in failing 20 properly equip the stage
with fire fighting appliances.
The iaxity and carelessness Of city
Officials was censured and revision of
the manner in which city business is
transacted is demanded of the Mayor and
City Council Immediately.
The jury advises classified printed lists
for the building department, separate
passageways for fire escapes, absolutely
fireproof scenery and stage parapherna-
liza, steel curtains REINFORCED with as
bestos curtains and held by steel cables,
two electric mains for all places Of,
amusement and two firemen.
1t recommends the close study of city
ordinances by all city employees and adj
vises an examination before awarding
positions The office and detail work of
the fire department should be taken out
of the hands of the fire marshal and in
trusted to some person specially fitted
for the work.
The Mayor of Chicago, his building
commissioner and his fire marshal the
president of the Iroquois Theater Com
pnny and four other persons were placed
under arrest in accordance with the YER
dict of the coroner's jury holding them
responsible for the .dsaster Of Dec. 30.
They are to be held until discharged by
due process of law" The bonds of
Mayor Harrison, Musham, Davis and
Williams were fixed at $1,000 and the
remainder Of the defendants $1,000. Will
liam McMullen, the man who operated
the fatal flood light, went to jail in de-
fault OF finding bondsmen.
Say City Is Liable.
Chicago, it is claimed. is made liable
for nearly S1O,000,000 damages by the
verdict of the coroner's jury which holds
Mayor Harrison. Chief Musham, Build
ing Commissioner Williams and Inspec
tor Loughlin responsible and declares
them guilty Of neglect in connection with
the Iroquois Theater horror.
The lawyers are certain that the yer
dict of the cOroneTs jury will be follow
ed by a deluge Of suits. The question
a TO the responsibility OF the city in the
deaths and injuries they hold to be prac
tically settled by the verdict.
II Chicago is forced 10 pay the dam
age claims that are thus heaped up
against it the city win be bankrupt by
the Troquois disaster. The damages for
which the city may be held liable are as
follows:
672 killed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 50. 10000
30 seriously injured - 100000
200 minor Injuries ... 100000
Suits By theatrical companies. 100000
That the verdict gives the claimants
for damages a basis for action against
the city and adds strength to their claims
Is agreed by lawyers. Those suits al
ready filed. amounting 20 nearly $1,000.
600, name the city Of Chicago as a party,
with the theater mana gers, and others.