The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-01-22
STILL WITHIN
MANS MEMORY
[coNT1NuEp FRoM PAGE OWE. !

| CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
would be an act of cruel injustice to
do it. 1t is practically impossible to
construct a theatre or hall in the
nature of a theatre with such facility
for exit as to wholly prevent the
usual deplorable result of panic that
has been started in and seized hold
of by the audience upon a cry of fire.
"If it were known that unprotected
electric light for the purpose of a
scenic display was the cause of the
late catastrophe in Chicago. Now
| the public should be reminded that
we have seldom if ever, so far as we
know, had ony as these scenic dis
plays in Lyceum Hall: the sort Of
entertainments they do not generally
make use of them unless it be the
stereoptic moving pictures such as
we're displayed lately by Mr.. Elmen-
dorf, the Alpine climber
Here it is we'll to mention the fact
that, some years ago, we went to the
expense of laying four-inch water
pipe from the main in South street
into the hall and to the stage, with
four hose connections and with hose
attached. We also keep on the stage
one or more fire extinguishers; also
several pals filled with water.
At all the scenic performances in
the hall there are the Fire Chief of
the town and four firemen stationed
in the hall, near the stage, and
policeman near the main door of the
hall.
1t is right enough in law and rea-
son for person who crosses the
ocean in steamship or travels on a
railway train, or attends a theatre
which is conducted for the profit of
the proprietors or leSSees, to require
of the proprietors of the steamship or
railroad or theatre the utmost care in
all that pertains to the safety of the
traveller on the railway train or on the
ocean steamship, or of the visitor who
is invited to the theatre to see a
display. But we respectfully suggest
that the situation is entirely changed
when the theatre is conducted not for
the pecuniary profit of the proprietors,
but for benevolent purpose such as
is the case in the Lyceum hall. 1t is
conducted purely for the benevolent
purpose of supporting library for
the benefit of the citizens of Norris
town, making it as near as practicable
free.
We think it, then, extremely un-
just to threaten or attempt to hold
the directors personally liable, either
morally or legally, and we suggest
that action should be taken by the
board of directors looking to be
relieved of any such liability, however
remote or contingent it may be.
We do not believe that the people |
of MorriStown, who think that the
Library is a public benefit and sho uld
be sustained, are willing that it
should be sustained by the profits of
the hall if the directors, who are
purely benevolent trustees, without
are to be held personally
responsible for the result of any ac-
cident which may occur from the
ordinary use of that hall. And our
unanimous view is that if the Library
cannot be maintained without the
aid of receipts from the hall, based
upon such individual liability, both
should be closed.
But before taking definite action to
that effect we recommend that
resolution be adopted by our Board
of Directors asking for the advice of
the citizens of Morristown who APP
preciate the Library and desire its
continued use by the public, whether,
under present conditions, the Lyceum
hall should be used, as now, or be
closed.
Resolved, That! for the present no
further or other contract, than those
already made, be made for letting the
hall; and that notice similar to that
which was given on January 18th to
the Friday Evening Club be given to
all other persons who have engaged
the hall for future dates.
A LADS LONG WALK.