Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-16
DID THEIR BEST,
Chicago Firemen Before Iro-
quois Theatre Fire Inquest.
Deny That They Were Expected to
See That Building Was Safe.
Chief Musham Testisies with Breaking
and Quavering Voice.

chicago. Jan. 15.-Thc corOncrs in
quest over the victims of the Iroouois
fire. today, was given over to witness
es from the fire department. Chief
Musham and several of his highest
ranking assistants We're the witnesses.
Chief Musham declared that in his
opinion it was the duty of the build
ms commissioner to report to him if
the FIRE protection in the theatre was
inadequate. No report had ever been
made to him and he had taken no ac-
ton in the matter
Building Commissioner Williams pra-
viously had testified that it was not
the business of his office to report ON
fire protection, but that it was a mat
ter entirely belonging to the fire de-
p2rtment.
Chief Musham was greatly moved
and his voice broke as he answered
questions implying that many. lives
might have been saved if he had in
spected the theatre to see if it was
properly protected against fire. He
declared that there was nothing he
would not do to save lives and that il
he had in any way failed in his duty
it was only because he had administer
ed the affairs TO his department in the
manner which prevailed since the first
apartment had existed in Chicago.
Chief Musham testified that he had
never received any report as to the
condition of the IroQuois theatre pre-
vious TO the fatal fire. a former men,
Der Of the fire department was sta
toned at that playhouse and, accord
ing to the city ordinance, it was the
fireman's duty to report at least once
Il week to the fire marshal in order to
keep the department advised of any
neglect on the part of the management
of the theatre to provide for the safety
of the public.
The witness was asked why he did
not insist upon 1sce wing such reports.
Chief Musham replied that the only
explanation he could give was that
there were so many fires in the city
at that time that he was kept busy
night and day. Besides he did not con-
slider that he had any control over the
actions of the firemcn who were en-
ploycd by managers of the theatres.
When questioned as to why he had
never made any written statement to
his superiors to the effect that he could
not enforce any of the ordinances in
reference to theatres, Chief Musham
replied:
I'VE never had any trouble with
theatres previous to this, and there
would not have been any trouble if
that lamp had net been there, or the
careless handling of it,
Isn't it q fact that you were not
familiar with your duty as far as maxi
ing the owners of theatres comply with
the city ordinance is conccrncd?"
Il don't think l have had authority
to do it. This theatre was opened with
out my knowledge. If had been nOti-
fled certainly could have inspected
it myself"
Chief Musham insisted that the fault
lay in the fact that he had not been
notified by other city officials of the
GpcDin" of the theatre.
IF the commissioner of buildings
shirks his work are you supposed to
shirk yours
NO, sir, but don't consider l have
any right C interfere with him."
Couldn't you have found five min
utes to confer with him when you knew
these things were not in that thea tire ."
He didn't report to me. Before the
theatre was opened was the time the
report should have been made. He
wasn't doing right. that is certain"
John Champion, first assistant fire
marshal, testified that two weeks be-
fo"o the opening he explained to Fire
man Sa|lers of the 1roquOis theatre
hn oh ho1 LOT nf
and hose, particularly on the stage,
cauticHing him that Il hose with the
city pressure would not answer and
he should get powerful pumps.
He also suggested sprinkler sys-
tenn and Sallers replied that the COM
pany was going to put in all the ap-
planes necessary.
Second Assistant Fire Marshal Will
liam Townsend declared that in his
opinion the two gates which Fire In
spector FulkersOn declared were fatal
to many people trying to escape, were
not of character to afford much of
an obstacle to people fleeing for their
lives
John Harmon. chief of the first bat
TALON OF the Chicago fire department,
testified that he went on the stage of
the theatre q few days previous to the
fire and he came away with the idea
that the fire protection was made
duate but made no report because he
never considered it part of his bust
ness to make reports unless they
were called for.
A meeting was held, today, of musi-
clans. actors. stage hands, billposters
and representatives OF other lines of
work affected by the closing of the
Chicago theatres to consider means Of
bringing pressure to bear on the city
council which will induce them to al
low the playhouses to reopen.
Fire starting from the furnace Of the
new Normandie theatre at Calgary N