The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-07
THEATER UNSAFE.
Investigating Committee Finds
the Crawford in Bad Shape. 4,
Many Glaring Defects That
Menace Public Safety.
DOORS SWING INWARD.
Even the Fire Escapes FOund to
Be Dangerous.
Exits at Rear of Stage Wholly
Inadequate.
Even With Changes Suggested
Wouldn't Be Safe.

At O'Clock this afternoon the mayor
received from the Crawford opera house
investigation committee an eight page
typewritten report which condemns the
Crawford theater as unsafe in its pres
ent condition; recommends a great
many changes in exits. fire escapes,
stairways, electric wiring, partitions,
drop-curtain, fire alarms, water supply,
etc, and states that even if all these
changes are made, the committee does
not intend to have it understood that
they consider the building as safe.
Mayor Bergundthal has called a spe-
cial meeting of the city council for this
evening at 7:3O, and it is highly prob
able thai at that time the council will
condemn the Crawford and order it.
closed.
1t is likely that L. M. Crawford will
be ready with an injunction suit to
prevent such action if possible. This
will lead to a legal battle to test the
validity of the ordinance.
Mayor Bergundthal said today: This
is up to the council now to do as it sees
fit. 1 suppose that the council will
take some action this evening at the
special meeting which I have called
They certainly ought to, in view Of
that report. 1 don't care to say any
thing about this report, but am will
ing to stand by the council in doing
whatever they think is necessary"
Following Is the report:
Fire Marshars Office. Jan. 6, 1904
The Honorable Mayor and COuncilmen
of the City of Topeka:
Gentlerer-In compliance with direc-
tons given me by Mayor w. s. Ber-
gUndthal under date of January 2, 1904,
rigid examination of the Crawford
opera house and the Grand opera
house i. this city and report the exact
conditions found existing therein to the
city council al the earliest possible date.
said examination to cover the StructuI al
condition of the buildings and the
arrangement as theateFs as regards
public safety. I have acted under said
instructions. In the letter of instruc-
tiOns Mayor Bergundthal gave me au-
thority to call uDon City Engineer.
James McCabe and such other persons
as in my judgment might seem neces-
sary- 1 selected City Engineer AIcCabe
Henry Bennett John Sargent, M
Heery Ghe last three thoroughly expe-
rienced and practical builders) and Chas
E. FIdridge, electrical and insurance
inspector. to assist me. and these gen.
tlemen have acted with me through
the entire examination.
We herewith submit the following re-
port OF our examination of the CraW-
ford opera house:
SHOULD ELIMINATE STAIRWAYS.
We find at main entrance the out
side doors swing inward, and should
SWING to the street. The ticket booth
IN the front entrance hall extends two
feet six inches into the main hall, and
should be removed from this main pas
sageway or entrance, which is feet
inches wide; thence II steps lead to
main landing, then six risers in reach
in front of parquet a stairway 8 feet
inches in width leads to private
apartment rooms on third and fourth
floors. Also from this landing two
additional stairways lead to both bal
cony and gallery, being in width 8
feet 9 inches.
From landing in front of parouet
there are six steps to reach the parquet
floor. These curved stairs, together
with the narrow platforms suggest to
US that an incline from the top of
stairs Immediately at head of main en-
trance be built leading into parouet.
In connection with this incline there
should be an incline constructed 10
foot OF stairs leading to balcony and
gallery and made to interSect with in
cline leading into parquet From main
landing in front of parquet an exit
into the Jewell building on the north
leads into narrow hall through two
pairs of fire doors; one pair now swing
justed to swing outward, i e., to the
north This hall extends to north wall
OF Jewell building, thence west to mar
row nall to stairs leading to Kansas
gallery exit.
Doors at head of these stairs should
be remodeled to give greater space
Ihere IS also ticket window, the
Shelf OF which extends 9 inches into
TINS nall, and should be removed.
{
ell building, another hall 2S feet long
by feet inches wide leads to Mat
form OF fire escape. said fire escane
receiving discharge from main floor of
opera mouse. The door of this hall
should swing outward and To tha
north. This door should be 3 feel &
inches wide instead of feet 6 inches
wide.
EXITS ARE INADEQUATE.
we believe the balcony and gallery
STAIRS dlscharging Immediately in front
of the parquet entrance are inadeonote
Tor the quick or safe discharge of GAL
lery and balcony audiences. An inr-
proVement of this condition will neces-
state the removal of partitions diyi1-
ing on the front portion of the b1ild-
ing.
The gallery has a seating capacity of
go people, and is separated from front
portion Of building by one inch hoard
paT1tloh, with open space also closets
Tor general storage beneath We find
the gallery aisles are Inadequate i'm
width, and suggest that a removal he
made Of tier of seats on each side. We
fnd no aisle on south side of gallery.
and seats should be removed to rnaLs
an aisle not less than three feet wide
All wall seats now attached reducing
the width Of rear and side aisles sho1ld
be removed.
There are no exits on south side Of
building or either floor. and We wo,,1d
recommend two exits. five feet wide. off