Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-27
MAYOR HARRI-
SON BLAMED
coroner's jury Finds Four City OFF,
GERS and Four Others Responsible
for the Iroquois Fire.
GRAND JURY TO CONSIDER
Cause of Terrible Disaster is Fixed
and Those to Blame Called Upon
to Defend Themselves.

Chicago, Jan. 25.-The coroner's
jury, which for three weeks mas been
listening to evidence relating to the
fire in the Iroquois theater, tonight
returned a verdict by which the fol-
lowing persons are held to await the
action of the grand jury:
Carter C. Harrison, mayor of Chi
cago.
Will ]. Davis, proprietor in part,
and manager of the theater.
George williams, building commits
sioner of the city.
Fire Marshal William H. Musham.
Edward Laughlin, building inspec-
tor under Williams.
VIM. Sallers, fireman in the thea
ter.
James e. Cummings, stage carpen-
ter.
William Mullen, who had charge
of the light that caused the fire.
As soon as the finding of the jury
was announced details of officers
were at once sent for the men named
in the verdict with orders to bring
them in at once and il they could not
furnish bail they were to be taken
to the county Jail for the night.
The findings of the jury were as
follows:
"The cause of the fire was a drap-
cry coming into contact with a flood
or arc light. The city laws were not
complied with relating to the building
ordinances, regulating fire alarm box
es, fire apparatus, damper or fues. on
and over the stage and fly galleries.
The violation of the ordinance requir-
ing fire proofing of scenery and all
wood work on and about the stage;
the asbestos curtain was wholly de-
stroyed and was wholly inadequate;
building ordinances violated, in the
aisles were enclosed on each side of
the lower boxes and the absence of
fire apparatus on the orchestra floor;
building ordinances violated in that
there was no fire apparatus in the
gallery or first balcony. Will j. DAY.
is is held responsible as president and
general manager He was primarily
responsible for the observance of
laws, and was bound to see that his
employees were properly instructed as
to their duties in case of fire."
In relation to Mayor Harrison the
verdict read as follows:
1--WE hold Carter H. Harrison, as
mayor of the city of Chicago, respon-
sible, as he has shown lamentable
lack of force, and for his efforts to
escape responsibility, evidenced by
the testimony of Building Commis-
sioner Williams, and Fire Marshal
Musham. As heads of departments
under said Carter H. Harrison, were
following this weak course he has
given Chicago Intellectual service.
which makes such calamities. as the
Iroquois theater horror, a menace, un-
til public service is purged of incom-
petents."
Building Commissioner Williams
was held for gross neglect of his
duty in allowing the theater to open
its doors to the public when said the
ater was incomplete and because he
did not comply with the building or
dinances of the city of Chicago"
Fire Marshal Musham was held re-
sponsible for "gross neglect of duty
In not enforcing the city ordinances
and failure to have his subordinate,
William Sallers, fireman at the the
ater, report to him of the lack Of fire
apparatus in the theater."
Sallers was held for not reporting
the lack of fire apparatus.
McMullen for carelessness in hand
ling the light that caused the fire.
Cummings, assistant stage carpen-
ter, for not providing the stage with
proper protection.
Later in the night, after the mem
bers of the jury had departed 1t was
decided by Coroner Traeger that 1t
would not be necessary to arrest May
or Harrison, Fire Marshal Musham
and Building Commissioner Williams
tonight and no officers were sent for
them. All three of them will be al
their offices in the city hall tomorrow
morning and will then be given a
chance to offer bonds for their appear
ance when wanted. Mitimusses were
made out, however, for the arrest OF
the other six men.
A special grand jury will convene
next week to reopen the investiga
ton and decide what action shall be
taken on the report of the coroner's
jury. The charge. as far as city Of
ficials are concerned, which the grand
jury will consider is malfeasance II
Office. Convictions mean their remov
al from Office in addition to any othel
penalty