New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24
PANIC OYER ERE ALARMS.


1t has often been remarked that in case Of 6
fire in a crowded building theatre. for in
stance-as much harm is done by the panic
as by the flames and smoke, and sometimes
much more The fact was freshly emphasized
yesterday, though on q small scale, In cigar
factory in Avenue A. No injury whatever was
done to the occupants Of the building 1,oOO In
number by the fire. for the latter was quickly
suppressed A number of employees were more
or less seriously hurt, however. by the stampede
which followed a second alarm. The means or
exit are said to have been ample, and the re-
ouirements of the law in regard TO fire escapes
seem to have been complied with. Nevertheless,
the doors, stairs, windows and balconies were
so suddenly crowded that some Of the young
women were trampled upon by others. and at
least one who jumped to the street was made
senseless by her fall. The fear which urged
every one on may have been unreasonable, but
Ii was real, and that sort Of thing is always
contagious. 1t is not strange that the efforts or
the foremen to reassure the employees proved
futile Indeed. it Is marvellous that at least
a score of the cigarmakers were not killed.
Another outcome Of similar situation is OBJ
served not infrequently in the schools OF this
city Scarcely month passes without ones
reading the story. A fire is detected in coat
closet the news is transmitted promptly TO the
~
q recognized signal! All work is Immediately
suspended. the pupils quietly form lines under
the immediate direction of the teachers, and
emerge from the building without the slightest
scare or physica! injury, and very often without
being aware whether there has really been a
fire or not. They have become so accustomed TO
the fire drill that the natural presumption in
the vast majority of cases is that fresh order
to march is without special significance. Even
should their suspicious be aroused. the routine
IS so familiar that panic is practically Inn
possible.
There are thousands OF factories in this coun-
try where similar practice might be adopted
advantageously. When the drill was first in
troduced. it might be wise 10 undertake IL
either at noon or night, at the hour when work
is normally suspended. After little. though,
IL should be attempted in the midst Of labor.
Thus the employees would become acquainted
with the avenues and methods Of escape TO
which they should resort in emergencies, would
save a large amount of time in effecting their
exit and would do so with comparative serenity,
having more reason TO think that the maneuvre
was simply an exercise than n safeguard against
immediate peril The usage would not In
variably avert fright OF course. but II would
often insure safety IN real danger.
The suspension of work for few minutes
would be n more serious embarrassment in some
manufacturing industries than in others. but Mt
the worst il would not incommode outsiders The
chief reason for not recommending pursuance
Of the same policy in big department stores
where 1t is needed fully much as In fac
tories-is that patrons would be Inconvenience
by the suspension Of traffic during regular bust
ness hours In either class Of establishment
there would be trifing pecuniary loss from
stoppage of proceedings for twenty minutes or
half an hour. once every month or so, but the
advertisement which would be thus gained
should far more than compensate for THIS.
After all. the one great requisite TO Installing
the scheme would be little OF that organizing
talent for which Americans are so famous.