New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-01
BROOKLYN HAD LESSON.
Theatre and City Officials All Work
to Make Houses Safe.

Officials of tho Building Department. INC N4-0
Department and of the theatres in BROOKLYN eS-
pressed the e.pinion Yesterday that the Building
law and the enforcement OF 1T and all the muIli~i
pal regulations so much more strlct nei0
than in Chicago that the possibility Oh sueii
tragedy occurred there is much more renio'e-
There are a number of old playhouses IN BTooAlyh'
built before the present law went into erect Out
in the last few years they have been changed SO
that some of the old dangers have been ehniind'eu
far possible.
Superintendent of Buildings William n Calaer
said that if the New-YorI code had been IN Ioree
in Chicago the fire in the Iroquois would not have
spread rapidly. He added:
EQUIPMENT OF THEATRES GOOD.
At present every Brooklyn theatre is equipped
with asbestos curtains which are raised anu ioWeeu
fully Inspected twice each week by man from TINS
department. to see that the eutains anG b o1iT took
office years ago only three theatres had &soes
curtains. Now all are properly equipped III 'aI
Section los of the, Building Code provides that hat
institution of proper hre apparatus no oIhs nTior
tions can be required in theatres That e5steG I,pe
that is used for theatrical purposes because IT IS
a Should be so amended n ha the Of
Buildings is empowered to FORBID tne use +S OF M
most precaution must be exercised and II the law
was INQUIRED f we f 80 ba 10 mensee to life
Only three theatres have been built in Brooklyn
since the enactment of the most recent law on the
subject Some of the old theatres. however, con-
form to the law in many particulars
SUPERVISION BY INSPECTORS.
Deputy Fire Chief Murray said:
We have a man detailed to attend each per
Torrance at every theatre. He is required 10 see
that the aisles are kept clear. that the doors OF
exits are unlocked. that the fire apparatus Is IN
hind the So far l have Deen able 10
learn these regulations have been faithfully COM
piled with. We have suggested extra exits and
other things that would increase the safety OF the
public and have found the managers obLg1ns Tor
the most part. They and learned a good lesson
from the Brooklyn Theatre fire. don't want 10
say that catastrophe here is utter impossible
probable.
The Fire Marshal makes the rounds Of the the
every two weeks. the deputy chiefs in the
various districts special inspectors.
THEATRES HAVE MANY EXITS.
Many Brooklyn theatres fortunate in being
situated a corner or least in running through
seSt and best known playhouse in the borough,
has abundance of exits which lead into open
The stage entrance Is on the latter st!eet. The
next largest theatre is the Columbia, which is on
runs through TO Adams-st There are exits leading
10 all of these thoroughfares- Over in the Fast
District the Amphion is the leading playhouse.
II seats S2 persons. and Is considered one or the
safest in the borough.
The Orpheum Theatre IS situated on a corner
through in the rear to still another street
II was built under the lates- building code and is
absolutely hreproOf in every respect. The Park
Theatre the oldest in the borough, was remod-
straight entrance, ana other "details that
would make for the safety OF the patrons in case
Some of the older and srnO Her theatres are not
naturally go safe the newer and larger ones,
declared provision for the safety of patrons
possible under the circumstances was neglected