Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-01-07
RUSHING AN INQUIRY
Mayor Harrison Visits the Iroquois
Theater and Goes All Over It.
OTHER THEATERS ORDERED CLOSED.
Police Arrest Stage Hands, 30 NJ TO Hold
Them - Witnesses - AIcAullen. the
Operator OF the Light which Start
cd the Fire, Also locked Up.

WAsVO NAADsS Dt88O hh8hung 1U - ~ A0At
Them - Witnesses - McnGullen. the
Operator OF the Light which Start
cd the Fire. Also locked Up.
Chicago, Jan. 2.-Mayor Harrison
yesterday, in company with Building
Commissioner Williams, Alderman
Mayor and several architects visited
the Iroquois theater building and went
over 1t thoroughly. As they stepped
into the building the mayor accidental
ly trod on large lock Of human hair,
which had been torn from the head of
some victim of the disaster He shud-
dered and, removing the hair from his
shoe. placed 1t on one side of the hall
way and passed in. The mayor went
everywhere except into the cellar, went
out on the fire escapes, tried the exits
and finally mounted into the rigging
loft above the stage. The dressing
rooms were visited and the whole inte-
rior explored. T. P. Marshall, the
architect Of the building, accompanied
the mayor throughout the trip. When
in the gallery the mayor paid particu-
lar attention to the exits and tried all
the handles by which the doors are
opened.
The failure to comply with the ordi-
nance that exits shall be indicated by
printed signs struck the mayor and
when he noted that heavy damask
curtains hung before some of these
doors he inquired of Architect Mar
shall why they had been placed there.
Mr.. Marshall replied that 1t was done
to improve the appearance of the
house.
Returning to his Office, the mayor
said:
II think exactly as I thought yes
terday Of the theater. l could not see
any explanation for the disaster ex-
cept the failure of the curtain to come
down. tried lot Of the doors and
they seemed to open and shut readily.
I got into the rigging loft. which Is Of
solid metal, without a trace of COM
bustible material about 1t. I think
1t would have been wise, however, If
the management had not placed heavy
curtains in front Of the exits. ] gained
q better idea of the horror Of the thing
to-day than l had possessed before.
Just think Of stepping upon wisp Of
human hair while walking about in
the theater."
Mayor Carter Harrison yesterday
took steps to provide as far as posi-
bic against repetition of Wednesdays
horror at the Iroquois theater. As a
'esult Of an investigation made at his
orders and lasting but few hours 10
heaters and museums were ordered
,losed, some Of them being among the
eading and most popular playhouses
# the city. The action of the mayor
vas based on one single violation of
he ordinances which are intended to
'rotect the patrons of theaters from
ust such an occurrence as that which
ost so many lives on Wednesday. ]
his was that everyone of these places ]
ad omitted to supply an asbestos cur 9
ain. 7
There were other giaring defects" !
aid Building Commissioner Williams. !
which were noticed In some Of the J
ouses. but we were not paying par I
cular attention to them to-day, al D
Tough I noted them and the theatrical
hangers will be compelled to remedy y
lem as soon as possible" u
The police yesterday vigorously q
lshed their inquiry into the causes Of 7,
le fire and made several other ar u
'sts Of stage hands, among them VIII o
am McMullen, the operator of the u
yht which started the fire. He was q
cked up at the Central station and u
'ilson Kerr, q fly man at the theater, tc
rs also placed in cell. Fifteen u
embers Of the double octette, which
kes part In the song, ''In the Pale "
oonlight," have been placed under M
rest by the police. Miss Romano be- 81
6 the sole one who has SO far eluded ps
e detectives. They are wanted as IN
theses and there is no charge CT
ainst any Of them. Orders were is 10
ed by Chief of Police O'Neill last
yht that none of the Is would be re- de
lsed unless bond Of $4,000 was fur II
shed. McMullen, the light operator, oe
derwent searching examination by %
sistant Chief Of Police Scheuttler
sterday afternoon. McMullen's story De
8 as follows: ial
I was standing on the iron bridge IN
the right side of the stage from ca
ich the shot light is operated. The Oh
up seemed in good condition, but in 10.
} middle Of the second act, Just as Gel
hanged from a white light to q blue
}, the arc between the carbons splut- NO
cd and jumped. A spark struck the I'M
yed edge on the inside Of the Dor tn'
Of the curtain drapery. A fame Tea
lch, l should say. was about IL ma
hes long shot up. I abandoned the q,
y and clapped my hand upon the .
nes, but they spread in spite Of me.
Alled to have the fire curtain low -
and yelled TO the house fireman
Ielp me- He came with q patent fire .
nguisher, which had no effect on