The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1904-02-04

Davis, one of the managers of the thea
| ter, for failing to properly equip the the
ater as demanded by the city ordinances
| and for failure to properly drill and in
| struct his employees. Carter II. Harri-
son, Mayor of the city of Chicago. "be-
| cause of lamentable lack of force in his
attempt to shift the responsibility upon
his subordinateS, whose inefficient work
| under his administration forms a menace
to the city; Building Commissioner
George Williams, because he grossly leg-
lected his duty in permitting the 1ro-
quois Theater TO open before the building
was complete and fully equipped in COM
pliance with the building ordinances; Ed
ward Loughlin, building inspector, be-
cause Of gross neglect of duty in care
less inspection of the theater and report
ing it 20. K."; Fire Marshal William Fl.
Musham, because of neglect of duty in
failing to enforce the city ordinances re-
lating to his department and for failure
to exact a report from William Saller,
the fireman stationed at the theaeer;
William Saller. because of gross neglect
in not reporting the lack of fire appara-
tus and appliances; William McMullen,
the flood light operator, because of neg
lect and carelessness; James Z. Cum
mings, because of gross neglect of duty
in failing to properly equip the stage
with fire fighting appliances.
The laxity and carelessness of city
officials was censured and revision of
the manner. in which city business Is
transacted is demanded of the Mayor ard
City Council Immediately.
The jury advises classified printed Isis
for the building department, separate
pasSageways for fire escapes, absolutely
freproof scenery and stage parapherna-
LA, steel curtains REINFORCED with es-
bestos curtains and held by, steel cables,
two electric mains for all places of
amusement and two firemen.
1t recommends the close study of city
ordinances by all city employees and ad-
viSes an examination before awarding
positions The Office and detail work of
the fire department should be taken out
of the hands of the fire marshal and in
trusted TO some person specially fitted
for the work.
The Mayor of Chicago. his building
commissioner and his fire marshal, the
president of the IroquOis Theater Gem
pany and four other persons were placed
under arrest in accordance with the var-
dict of the coroner's jury holding thsm
responsible for the disaster Of Dec. 80
They are 10 be held until discharged by
due process of law" The bonds of
Mayor Harrison. Musham, Davis &nd
Williams We're fixed at $1,000 and the
remainder of the defendants $1,000. Viii
liam McMullen, the man who operated
tie fatal flood light, went TO Jail In 5e-
fault Of finding bondsmen.
Say City Is Liable.
Chicago, it is claimed, is made liable
for nearly $10,000.000 damages by The
verdict of the coroner's jury which holds
Mayor Harrison, Chief Musham, Build
ing Commissioner Williams and Inspec-
tor Loughlin responsible and declares
them guilty of neglect i'll connection with
the Iroquois Theater horror
The lawyers are certain that the YER
dict of the coroners jury will be follow
ed by deluge of suits. The question
as to the responsibility of the city in the
deaths and injuries they hold TO be prac
tically settled l, the verdict
If Chicago is forced to pay the dam
age claims that are thus heaped up
against it the city will be bankrupt by
the Ircquois disaster. The damages for
which the city may be held liable are as
follows:
b12 killed ..................S5 50. I20. 900
90 seriously injured ....... 2,000,G00
200 minor injuries. ........-.. 1.O00.000
Suits by theatrical companies. 100000
That the verdict gives the claimants
for damages II basis for action against
the city and adds strength to their claims
is agreed by lawyers. Those suits al
ready fled amounting to nearly S1,000,-
600. name the city of Chicago rs party.
with the theater managers. and others.