Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-27
Prussiart Count killed.
- Sg
The Jefferson School Fire Escape.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Referring to the article IN your issue of
the 10th instant. under the caption "Chief
Belt Objects" wherein he states that after
a careful examination of the public schools
in the District, he found the Jefferson
more in need Of protection from fire than
either of the others. because about TWEEN
ty-two years ago the Jefferson School build
ing was entirely destroyed by rapidly
burning fire. etc, II this Is an evidence
Of the Judgment of the fire chief. upon
whom the safety of our city depends IN
time of a large conha gra ton, we think the
taxpayers should know it. The logical Cd
reason advanced for his selection of the
Jefferson does not present a very fiattering
outlook, especially when you take into con-
sideration that the Franklin. Gage and
other of our schools are four-story build
irgs while the Jefferson Is but two. with
the exception of the central portion there
Of which Is three stories, the third floor
being In disuse. yet the public Is asked to
believe the Jefferson to be most in need Of
these fire escapes simply on the ground
that it was destroyed by fire twenty-five
years ago.
After thus defining the status of the JEFF
ferson, his good Judgment CD Is again dis
played by locating the fire escapes at a
point where they can only be reached
through narrow cloak rooms. which. in
case of fire. would prove veritable DEATH
traps TO the smaller CnlQTeU, VINO WOulu
be trampled upon and run over by the larg-
err ones in their frantic efforts to reach the
fire escapes. By all means the entrance
to this device should be through large
the building. where the chances for con-
gestion would be diminished and a panic
less likely to ensue.
Furthermore. the rear of the building is
nor provided with any mode of exit and
should the stairway become inaccessible by
reason Of fire or smoke, those occupying
the large rear rooms would be completely
cut off. as the stairway las to be passed
In reaching the fire escapes. An examina-
ton OF the interior Of the building will
ccnvince any one of the error in placing
these fire escapes In their present position.
Chief Betl also says: suppose fire should
occur on the first floor near the main exit"
etc. Well, in such event the children would
be driven to the rear of the building. where
any person Of ordinary judgment would
naturally expect to find fire escape.
Should a fire break out in the rear. the
commodious exits in front would be suf
ficent to evacuate the building without re-
course to the fire escapes. the latter be-
Ing located in close proximity to said exits.
The constructors of this patent Zone of
whom accidently fostshis life while erect
ing at at the JeffersOn). are quoted as say
ing In substance that this Is the first city
that did not consult them to the most
available location for the fire escapes and
that they were surprised that they were
not placed In thei rear of the building.
Comment on the judgment of these ex-
perienced men is unnecessary.
Chief Belt further states that the fire
escapes are not uhsightly, that they are
novelty, etc, which accords fully with
his Judgment on the matters aforesaid.
Imagine for a moment that there should
be erected in front OF our beautiful school
buildings. the stpublic streets, large
cylindrical boiler-lixe3 structures, giving the
buildings the appearance Of Oil refineries,
would the public look upon these adorn-
ments complacently as novelties? Would
they be unsightlysao OF would they be re-
garded as "a thingdof beauty and a JOY
forever?' a 4,s,.
Mr. Belt should come out squarely and
acknowledge the weakness of his position:
that he has committed an error in judg-
ment. and not attempt to cover 1t UP by
endeavoring to force the, intelligent public
into believing the Jefferson School build
ing to be most In need of protection from
fire: that the present location OF these fire
escapes Is the most available and that
the erection thereof in front of our school
buildings Is not unsightly.
C. T. YODER,
D. H. HAZEN.
CHAS. SCHAFER.