The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-09
FANS FEAR PANIC
AT NEW BALL PARK
Claim the Grand Stand Would
Prove Death Trap in Case
of Fire.

1t is stated that the council will be
called upon to take notice of the condl-
tion of the grand stand at the downtown
ball park, and an effort will be made
TO have the management comply with the
requirements of the new building code,
which provides for safety exits in all
theaters, public halls and other places
of public assemblage.
The grand stand, Gagged in as 1t is on all
sides, would be little more than a trap
should a fire break out or any other con-
dition arise which might have a tendency
to start panic. and a demand has been
made upon the city officials to have more
exits placed in the stand, together with
whatever other safeguards the new build
ing code calls for.
At the time the new code was drawn
UP the attention of the council was called
to the fact that the grand stand at the
downtown park would come under It's
siYovisions. but the baseball season was
sat that time some months off and no ac-
ton was taken. Assemblyman Schur-
meier was one who believed that some
thing should be done to protect the lives
of the people who attend the ball games,
but having had trouble with the owner
of the park declined to take the initiative
in any action to compel the management
to comply with the provisions of the new
code.
AssembIynan Schurmeier said yester-
day there was no doubt but that the new
building code, as adopted last week. Is
sufficient to cover the conditions existing
at the new park and he was of the
opinion that something should be done
to make the place safer than it is at
the present time.
Schurmeler FaVors Movement.
''I have not taken the initiative in this
matter said Mr.. Sehurmeier, because
of the differences existing between my
self and the owner Of the park, for 1t
would look as 1 were doing SO for personal
reasons. l understand, however, that
other members of the council will take
the matter up, and Building Inspector
Rundlett will be called upon to see that
the laws are complied with. A compli-
ance with the law would necessitate nu-
merOus changes in the grand stand. as II
is constructed, and I believe they should
be made. While for reasons stated, do
not intend to take the initiative in this
matter, should it be brought up before
my term of Office expires. 1t will have my
support for l firmly believe it is some
thing the public should demand"
The stand will seat 1.750 people, and
it was demonstrated last Friday that when
1t is filled more than twenty minutes are
required to empty it. Should stampede
there would be no foretelling what the re-
suits might be. While there are small
gates at either end of the stand few peo-
pie use them in departing, and there is
practically but one exit, the one In the
center of the stand
1t has been pointed out that the stands
are constructed of material which is high
ly inflammable. and since smoking is per-
mitted, fire starting at any point in the
stand might cause a panic which would
undoubtedly result in many deaths. I'm
like other grand stands this structure is
inclosed on all four Sides and the seats
are placed so closely together that in
case of panic people would fall over each
other in heaps in their efforts to reach 8
place of safety
Fridays Crowd Saw Danger.
This danger was remarked by many
who attended the game last Friday, scores
of people being compelled to wait for al
most half an hour before being able tC
reach an exit 1t was suggested thai
more aisles should be placed In the stand
and that several more exits should be
made at once. A mere opening in the
wire in front of the stand, so long as thai
opening is fastened at all times, would be
of little use in case Of a panic 1t is
the center of the stand along Robert
street and another in the center of the
Twelfth street stand, should be made
These exits should be cut through the
stand, so that escape could be made un-
der the stands and direct to the streets, &
plan which would greatly lessen the dan
ger from panic
City Engineer Rundlett said last night
that he believed the stand should have
more exits but he was not sure it was al
the present time a violation of the new
building code
1t is probable that the matter will bt
thoroughly investigated at the next meet
found that the stand comes under the
provisions of the new building code, the
city engineer will be instructed to compe
more exits at once.