Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-14
FIXING THE BLAME.
Detectives Claim Doors Were
Locked at Chicago Fire.
Theatrical Managers Will Bring Suit
Against City Of Chicago.
They Claim Business Been Damaged
by Theatre Closing.

used against persons held for the grand
jury has been obtained at the Iroquois
theatre by three detectives of the
states attorney S Office. Eight doors
and one piece of drapery were removed
from the ruins and hauled to the GRIM
inal court building.
Most of the doors bore evidence Of
having, been locked. They are burned
on but one side and in a number of
cases the doors were forced open and
the locks broken. The door where the
bodies of so many dead were found is
among the pieces of evidence seized.
Another piece of evidence is the dra-
perry that concealed an exit on the first
floor. Neither the door nor the dra-
perry was burned.
The Record Herald says:
Suits against the city of Chicago for
financial losses caused by the order
which Building Commissioner Williams
ordered Jan. l, closing every theatre
in the city will be brought by many of
the managers and owners of plays
whose engagements were booked in
Chicago during the last two weeks.
This statement is made by men who
are in intimate touch with the local
theatrical situation.
Since all OF the managers are nom
residents the cases will be taken before
the federal courts. The brief of the
plaintiffs will be based on two dOcu-
ments-one, the license to conduct a
place of amusement, costing $500, and
which has in no case been revoked by
the authorities and the other the certi-
ficate of inspection by the fire depart
ment which hangs. framed near tho
main entrances of the downtown thea
tres and which states, over the sigma
ture of Fire Marshal Musham, that the
house is certified to be safe as to fire
protection.
Mayor Harrison was OH the stand,
today. in the Iroquois theatre fire in
quest. His evidence related chiefly to
a report submitted to him by Commits
sioner Williams, which declared that
none of the theatres in Chicago fully
compiled with the terms of the build
ing ordinances. He said no action had
been taken upon the report by the
council up to the time Of the Irouuois
theatre fire.
The mayor declared that Building
Commissioner Williams simply report
ed to MIN that there was not theatre
III the city of Chicago complying with
the law but made no recommendation
that they be closed or their licenses re-
voked.
William ]. McAiiister. secretary of
the building department Of Chicago,
described the routine in the office of
tho building commissioner.
About dozen of the stage hands
employed in the theatre testified dur
ing the day, but their evidence did not
differ from the stories that have al
ready been published.
Building Commissioner Williams, to-
day, announced to the managers of the
Auditorium that they could open their
hall provided the stage is entirely shut
off from the main auditorium by the
freproof steel curtain
The managers of the Iroquois thea
tire. today. through their attorneys,
made a demand upon Coroner Treager
for the possession Of the theatre build
ing.
Assistant States Attorney Barnes i'm
behalf Of the coroner replied that the
insurance adjusters could visit the
theatre at any time. but neither they
nor any other persons would be permit
ted to alter existing conditions until
after the coroner's inquest.