The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-02
A Lesson of the Chicago Fire.

At this remove Of time and place
from the great Chicago calamity
there is no occasion for panic. There
is in that calamity, however, plenty
Of Justification for serious thinking
and iudicious action here. What hap
pened there might just as we'll have
happened in Minneapolis, at least in
some Of the playhouses Of this city.
What we ought to get out of this
sad experience is the adoption, at
once, Of every precaution practicable
to prevent a repetition Of a like
calamity here. 1t is the imperative
duty Of the authorities to study our
ordinances for the protection OF life
and property from fire, and not only
to make such amendments as may be
wise, but to see that they are en-
forced. Some investigation by TIL
Journal shows that we are prac-
tically without an ordinance relating
to safety construction and safety de-
vices In theaters in Minneapolis. Some
very accommodating counc1lmen
have secured the addition Of a final
clause to such ordinances as we have,
which practically nullitiess the whole
act. -.
This consideration Of means. and
the regulations for fire protecton
should be directed not alone to the
tfeaters, which are, of course
thought Of first in this connection,
but to churches, hotels, factories ana
to all other buildings where large
numbers Of people are congregated
under any conditions.
In the meantime, one fact seems 10
have been settled at Chicago. Mayor
Harrison brought it out very strongly
in his order yesterday closing nine
teen of the theaters in that city. The
essential condition under which they
may be reopened is the hanging or a
serviceable and effective asbestos OF
other fire proof curtain between the
stage and the audience room.
The mayor is right when he says
that if the asbestos curtain (assum-
ing that there was such thing IN
the Iroquois theater, OF which, now
ever, there seems to be some reason
able doubt) had been promptly low
cred, there would probably have beer
little if any loss of life in that thea
ter Wednesday afternoon. The tes'
timony of those who escaped is al
most unanimous to the effect tina
the audience was remarkably coo
and self-controlled, the people re
manning in their seats even after thu
fire and smoke began to show arount
the top Of the stage arch, Indeed
it was not until after the flame
swept out from under the half-low
cred curtain, scorching the faces o
those nearest the stage, that the au
dience became panic-stricken and tn
desperate struggle for life began.
The conclusion seems to be inev
liable thatif the Iroquois theater ha'
had a serviceable asbestos curtain an
had been able to lower it instantl
upon the appearance of fire upon tn
stage, there would have been 1ittl
If any loss of life in that theatel
This is the conclusion which Mayo
Harrison has reached after q care
full Investigation, officially made, an
upon which he has ordered the clos
ing OF theaters in that city until as
bestos curtains are hung and are i
condition to work effectively.
1t appears from the statement of tn
fire marshal that while Minneapoli
theaters have provided a good man
safeguards which prudence recon
mended, only two Of them, the DeWe
and the Bijou, have asbestos curtains
There is no reason why every othe
playhouse in the city should not
required to supply the same fixture fc
the safety Of it's patrons, and to do
without an hours unnecessary della.
Theater fires originate almost ir
variably upon the stage among tn
highly infammable material which
stored there, and if theater goers ca
be assured that a fireproof wall an
an asbestos or iron screen stands be
tween them and the fire, mininlizin
the Immediate danger, panic is M
likely to result. Certainly where S
simple precaution is calculated I
render so great a service, no pla!
house can afford to deny the publ
the assurance which such protectic
IS gives. The theater can make no be
ter investment, viewing the matt,
wholly from the standpoint Of a bus
ness proposition.
II Doane Robinson still keeps South D