The Saint Paul globe., 1904-01-23
POWERS LAYS ALL
BLAME ON DAVIS
Managers of the Isoauois Thea
ter Have Sessions With
the Coloner.

CHICAGO, Jan. @22.-WiH J. Davis
and Harry j. Powers, managers of the
Irouuois theater,f made their appear
ance before the coroner's jury today.
Neither of them was disposed to ac-
cept any responsibility in connection
with defective construction. faults of
management or neglect to provide
proper fire protection.
Mr.. Powers placed the responsibility
for the management of the theater
upon Mr.. Davis, who was the active
manager, while he was but passive in
the conduct of its affairs. The blame
for the fire and the consequent loss of
life he put upon employees, who. he said,
did not perform their full duty.
When it came the turn of Mr.. Davis
to testify, he refused to place the
blame upon any particular person, but
said he had confidence that the en-
ployes of the theater would attend to
their business properly, and he also
believed that the Fuller Construction
company would erect the building in
compliance with the city ordinances.
Personally. he said, he knew nothing
whatever of what The laws demanded
in the construction of a theater, al
though he had been managing theaters
In Chicago for twenty years. He had
a general knowledge of what was nee
essary, but he had never read the city
laws concerning the construction or
operation of theaters.
Mr. Davis was excluded from the
room while Mr.. Powers testified.
What Powers Deposed.
M. Powers said he was a stakeholder
director of treasury of the Iroquois
Theater company apd associate mana
ger of the theater with Will j. Davis,
In a general way heswas identified with
the preparation of the plays for the
theater. He approved of them as
layman and interested party. He re-
ferred to consideration given the
plays of Klaw & Changers New York
office. Klaw & Erlanger were interest
ed stockholders, he said, and also pass
ed upon and approved of the plays. AT
that time it was decided to let the
contract for constructions to the Fuller
Construction company: The detail of
letting the contract was left to Mr.
Davis as president Of the company
All concerned signed the contract
Architect Marshall drew the Specifi-
cations The demolition of the old
buildings on the site began May l. The
first payment under the contract was
made in July From that time until the
completion of the theater payments
were made from time to time he said.
Concerning details as to the opening
of the theater, he referred his interrog-
ator to Mr. Davis. The latter and Mr..
Erlanger, he said, arranged the con-
tract whereby the date for the opening
was fixed and "Mr. Blue Beard" was
secured as the opening attraction.
Mr. Powers told the jury that the
reason the Iroquois theater had no fire
apparatus was because the house fire
man, Saller, had not ordered it. 1t was
Saller's business, he said, to provide
such things. Saller was there for such
purpose and had come recommended by
Assistant Chief Campion, of the fire
department.
Holds Others Responsible.
Mr.. Powers also placed responsibility
on the Fuller Construction company,
which, he said. was supposed to be con-
structing the building according to law.
The theatrical manager declared that
Business Manager Noonan, Stage Car
penter Cummings and Chief Usher
Dusenberre were intrusted with look
ing after details
Were you upon the stage? Did you
have anything to do with the hiring of
the fireman that was employed by the
house?" the witness was asked.
mot directly" he replied, Mr.. Davis
told me about engaging Mr.. Sallers on
the recommendation of Assistant Chief
Campion."
Did you have anything to do or did
you say anything to Mr. Sallers as to
what his duties were?"
mo, sir"
Did you have anything to say to Mr..
Sallers, the fireman. as to what should
tection?"
mo, SIR
Mr.. Powers then told the jury that he
did nothing toward procuring or seeing
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