Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-05
Coroner Traeger Of Chicago
Completes Plans.
SEEKING NEWEVDENCE
THINKS JURY WILL FIX RESPON-
sIBILITY FOR DISASTER.
Important Evidence ELECTED From
Two Real Estate Dealers and
Joseph A. Daugherty.

CHlCAGO, January 5.-Evldence showing
gresser criminal negligence than anything
previously developed was given under oath
today in the fire department investigation
of the Iroquois horror.
Joseph Daugherty, who had charge OF
the curtain. swore that two weeks ago dur
ing matinee performance there was a fire
on the stage and that when he attempted
to lower the asbestos curtain it was stopped
by the same obstruction that prevented its
operation last Wednesday. the fatal after
noon.
The curtain manager declares that he
protested at that time, but that no atten-
ton was raid to his warning. In his opin-
ion, if the curtain rad been run down dur
ing the fatal matinee the lives of many. II
not all OF the victims of the disaster might
have been saved. 1t was only by the
rerest chance that panic was averted as
the result Of the frs fire. The skylight at
that time, he said was securely closed.
CHICAGO, January Arrangements for
the inquest over the bodies of victims of
the Iroquois Theater fire were completed
by Coroner Traeger today. Everything is
now in readiness for the examination of
witnesses when the inquiry begins Thurs
day. Since the day after the fire the sher-
IFS office has been busy serving subpoenas
on persons wanted as witnesses. One hun
dl ed and forty of them have been sum-
moned, among them being VIII J. Davis
and Harry ]. Powers. resident managers of
the Iroquois Theater; City Building In
spector Williams, Chief of Police ONeill
and his assistant, Schuettler, and Fire
Chief Musham. -''" --...-> IS
The coroner spent several hours today in
a secret search for new evidence. He ex-
amined several witnesses at their homes,
but declined to make public the result Of his
interviews.
States Attorney Deneen announced to-
day that no special grand Jury would Do
called to investigate the theater fire and its
attendant loss Of life.
The coroner's jury is making careful
inquiry into the cause of the fire and its
attendant loss OF lite," said he. land VIII
undoubtedly Ak all responsibility"
Important Witnesses Found
Two important witnesses were discovered
today in the persons OF Charles r. Rooster
and Henry lander. real estate dealers.
They were passing the Iroquois Theater
when the fire broke out and attempted to
get into the theater. While smoke was
issuing from the cracks in the front door
that the doors were kept closed by the
ushers and attendants in the lobby for
nearly five minutes after the fire was dis
covered on the stage
ton Company, said by witnesses to have
smashed in the skylight of the theater
after the fire, has been round He was ex-
amined today in connection with the allie
cation that an attempt was made to de-
Stroy evidence. -: = = -"'-S -e
Joseph A. Daugherty, who tried to lower
the asbestos curtain on the fatal day, pro-
vided Attorney Fnlkerson of the fire de-
partment with a new theory OF the cur
tain's failure to work. Daugherty declared
that during a matinee performance two
weeks ago a fire broke OUT on the Iroquois
stage, but was extinguished. On that oc-
casion, Daugherty said, attempt to
lower the fire curtain resulted in its strik-
ing plank used as a platform from which
to operate spot" light. The same. plank
was in place the day of the disaster. said
Daugherty Daugherty declared his belief
that the descending curtain struck the
plank on the day of the catastrophe. just
as it did a few days before.
The Fuller company has agreed tc aid
the fire department in every way possible
By supplying witnesses
Charges Of Organized Labor.
President W. G. Schardt OF the Chicago
Federation Of Labor will tomorrow name a
commission of union labor representatives
unions seek to prove that incompetent nom
union stage employees caused the blaze
pickup" men, paid 81 a performance,
while organization members get 4.50. Par
ticular stress. is put by the labor. leaders
charges that the management of the
Iroquois refused to employ high-salaried
men to handle the stage lights. 1t is
claimed that the man who worked the light
that caused the fire was just learning the
trade of theatrical employe-in brief. an
apprentice.
Another Victim of the Disaster.
The Iroquois Theater fire claimed fresh
victim today, making the total number of
deaths o9l. Miss Josephine Spence was one
of those severely burned during the fire.
She was found by relatives and taken to
her home, where she died today.
That many places Of worship in Chicago
are not entirely safe from fire disaster
such as occurred in the Iroquois Theater is
now admitted by church trustees The first
step has been taken by the Hyde Park Bap-
list Church to secure improved conditions.
The board of. trustees at a meeting has
decided to apply to Mayor Harrison and ask
him to have a competent building inspector
examine the church. The church is attend
ed by many University OF Chicago students
ain others, and many Of the Iroqueis fire
victims were either members or friends of
prominent members Of the church. The
university itself was hard hit by the fire,
and memorial services are planned
Plans of Theatrical Companies.
Action by the Chicago city council hav-
ing made the opening OF any of the thea
tiers inside of two weeks improbable. the
managers of the attractions now here
have begun their arrangements for the
placing OF their companies elsewhere.
Henry w. Savage of the Yankee Con-
SUI organization called the company to-
gether and informed the members that q
week of rest would be taken here at full
salary The Studebaker will remain
closed until 1T can be ascertained what
the revised ordinance will require
The Ward and Vokes company at the
Great Northern VII leave the city today
The Bostonians, to have presented Rob
in Hood" this week at Mcvickar are de-
voting their enforced leisure to rehears-
ing.
Mrs. Fiske. who was to have appeared
at the Grand. has not decided what will
be done during the fortnight she was to
have spent here.
1t is understood that Mr. Brady will
send The Pitt" on the road next week.
Seating Capacity Reduced.
With the exception of six and possibly
seven theaters, all the play houses in Chi
cago must be Immediately scaled to a limii
of LOCO In seating capacity under the pres.
ent building ordinance It Is likely to be
amended. according to Alderman William