The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-05

practically a unit I'm declaring that
the fire started with an explosion,
and in his they are fatty contra
dicted by scores of people in h au-
dience, who declare they saw the
fire creeping along the edge Of the
curtain for several minutes before
the explosion took place. These
statements are substantiated by the
stories Of a number of people who
left. their seats after seeing the blaze
and were we'll on their way to the
street when overtaken by the fright
ened rush of those they had left be-
hind them. The best evidence OBJ
tainable is to the effect that the
fire was caused by the sparks from
an arc light. striking the edge Of the
~drop-curtain, but the actual fact,
however, will not be known until
after the conclusion of the ~coroner's
inquest. There are also many state
ment at present and they differ so
widely that 1t is impossible 20 as
certain the exact truth of the mat
ter.
Although the ~Iroquois Theatre was
undoubtedly the safest theatre in
Chicago. it became evident today
that the city building department
had not strictly enforced one or two
sections of the building ordinances.
Everything Reported all Right.
William Curran, a building inspec-
tor, was in the theatre only a few
moments before the catastrophe and
went away saying that everything
was In good condition. Deputy Build
ing Commissioner Stanhope went to
the theatre today to make an in
spection. On his return to the city
hall, he said: The theatre and its
Management were strictly within
the law. I will not go into detail
until I have completed my report"
Section 1876 of the local building
ordinance provides that in buildings
OF the class to which the Iroquois
Theatre belong, there shall be a sys-
tenn of automatic sprinklers. There
were no sprinklers in the theatre
and Mr.. Stanhope when this was
called to his attention replied:
There was no sprinkler system in
the theatre. but the provision about
the Iroquois made 1t unnecessary for
the theatre to have them"
Section 189 of the ordinance pro-
vides that theatres be equipped with
fire alarms connected with the city
fire alarm system.
City Electrician Hyland said: THE
1roquois had no fire alarm connec-
ton with the city alarm system. No
application is on file for any such
connection. The alarm of fire, in
fact, was turned in from a box over
half a block distant from the thea
ire"
The law provides also that there
shall be a ventilating shaft at the
rear Of the stage, which will con-
duct flames and smoke away from
the auditorium in just such emer-
gencies as arose yesterday. The Iro-
quois heatre possessed no such ven
tilating shaft.
Take Precautions Now.
From the action Of a committee
Of prominent architects Of Chicago
at a meeting tonight. may result a
recommendation to Mayor Harrison
to close every theatre in the city
until it's exits and construction have
been examined. The idea vas sug-
gested to President Beaumont Of the
Chicago Architects Association to-
day by w. A. Pridmore,. an archi-
tect who lost some relatives in the
fire.
President Beaumont refused to
personally make the recommended
ton to Mayor Harrison. but called
an informal meeting of the associa-
ton, at which it was decided that a
larger gathering of the members
would be held tomorrow and action
at that time would be decided upon.
Mayor Harrison said tonight: Il
see no more eason for closing all
the theatres than for stopping all
railway trains after a disastrous
wreck. There is no necessity of get
ting hySterical about this matter, al
though this horrible disaster has
taken place in porbably the safest
theatre in Chicago"
War1inp for the Others
The mayo tonight in this connec
ton sent a letter to all theatrical
proprietors in the city, calling their
attention to the failure of theatres
to comply with the building ordi-
nances relating to places OF amuse-
ment, especially that provision re-
ouiring them to employ a fireman.
The mayor directs the chief of the
fire department to assign regular
firemen to each theatre, their wages
to be paid by the theatres.
After dispatching this letter. the
mayor said: eff any one of the
theatrical managers refuses to pay
the wages of these men, as several
OF them have refused in the past.
will close the doors Of the theatres
and keep them closed until they
agree to act as they should.
Offers of Aid.
All during the day kilograms OF
sympathy to the people of Chicago
and offers Of aid poured in by tele-
graph upon the mayor.
He announced tonight: "I have
received many offers Of aid. TIT may
be before we get through his a few
persons will be found to have beer
put to need, but Chicago will be able
to give that aid herself. Most OF
those killed and injured, now iden.
tined, can be aoundantly cared for
Messages OF Condolance.
Among the kilograms of condoI-
ence received during the day by the
mayor were the following:
Washington, d. c., Dec. 81. 1909
Hon. Carter III. Harrison, Mayor
Chicago. Ills.