The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-14

tDnttuueu pdSt onVs
Mr.. Birmingham OF Providence, Mr..
Murphy OF Pawtucket and Mr., Myers OF
Pawtucket presented petitions for consti-
tutional initiative.
Mr.. Harris OF Smithfeld presented an
act TO incorporate the Rhode Island Safe
Deposit company OF Providence.
II was referred to the committee on cor
porauons.
SUBSTITUTE THEATRE ACT.
Mr.. Crafts OF westerly for the judiciary
committee reported on the act providing
for changes in the building laws OF Provi-
dence relating to the Are protection and
fire exits In theatres, halls and churches
and placing restrictions on the erection
OF buildings
This act was introduced In the senate by
Senator Thurston OF Providence and pass
ed at it's first reading and was held up In
the house by the country members who
wanted to know more about It,
The committee recommended non-con-
currencs with the senate and presented a
substitute act which was practically the
same with the exception OF section s
which was amended to read as follows:
SEQ. g.. 1t shall be the duty OF the
owner or owners. OF every theatre or hall,
or In case the lessee or lessees thereof
shall be required under the terms OF his
or their lease, the duty OF such lessee or
lessees. to comply with the structural and
fixture requirements specified In this act,
and TO furnish said hose and water. and
TO pay said city the cost OF installing said
fire alarm and police call boxes. All 9TH
err requirements of this act shall be per-
formed by the lessee or lessees Of such
theatre or hall, or by the person or per~
sons holding the license therefor. In case
the owner or owners or the lessee or
lessees OF any theatre or hail. or the per-
son or persons holding the license there
for shall neglect OF refuse to comply
with any of the obligations imposed upon
them. respectively, by this act. the
board Of police commissioners. after giv-
Ing the party or parties In interest an
opportunity TO be heard, may revoke or
suspend any and all Licenses for the CIV
ing or holding OF any or all shows, per-
formances. exhibitions. dances. balls or
fairs therein"
Mr.. Gauvin OF Woonsocket inquired IL the
committee had considered the act with
an idea TO making IL applicable to the
other cities.
the diversity Of conditions IL would not
be practical TO draw up an act TO apply
to all the cites and towns.
Mr.. kattey inquired the reason for the
great changes In section g.
Mr.. Crafts answered that the original
act made the lessee liable to the penalty
In the case. IL the owner OF the building
was delinquent and that this new act
MR. CLARKE WANTS INFORMATION,
hr. Clarke OF Newport wanted to know
why the act provided the payment OF 81
for nremen employed inN the theatres.
when the usual pay was only about Sl50.
Mr.. IL. de V. OConnor OF Providence
undertook to answer Mr.. Clarke and
stated the fremen in Providence are paid
e and more day, and though he did not
know what nrf lreu
he presumed the gentleman from that city
got his ideas from there. Mr.. O'Connor
said that the Providence delegation was
solidiy IN favor OF the passage OF this act,
which had he said. been carefully drawn
by city Solicitor Colwell.
Mr.. Wendelschsefer. who manages the
providence Opera house and another
theatre, was present and expressed his
approval OF the act
MIR. ALIENS OBJECTION.
Mr.. Allen OF East Greenwich said he
was not I'm favor OF the passage OF this
act In Its present form. as there was no
penalty for It's non-enforcement
He held also that section Is OF chap
ter 70 OF the laws gave TO the city OF
Providence the power TO enact this sort
OF legislation without the aid OF the gen
era assembly and that 20 pass the act IN
It's present form would be 70 make the
state liable for any fatality instead of
the city OF Providence. He said the city
council had passed an ordinance prohis,st-
Ing expectoration IN theatres. not simply
on the floor but within the theatre.
There was an argument between Messrs
Allen and Crafts over the Interpretation
OF this section OF the laws. after which
Mr. Brown Of Newport stated he was In
perfect harmony with the majority OF the
judiciary committee in regard to this
act. He said he preferred the opinion
OF Mr.. Colwell. who had been 80 long
city solicitor OF Providence and Is presi-
dent OF the bar association. In relation TO
city charters. rather than the opinion OF
me gentleman from East Greenwich with
his wide knowledge OF city charters In
Kent county.
Mr. Murphy Of Central Falls referred 10
Mr.. Aliens statement about no penalty
being provided. and stated that the fact
that the license OF the theatre would be
revoked for violation OF the act was PEN
atty enough.
Mr. Allen offered an amendment In
place OF the repealing clause providing