The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-12
CHICAGO
COUNCIL DID
NOT ACT
viii Make Amended Building
Ordinance Special for Thurs.
day Nights Meeting.

Chicago, Jan. 12.--Tt was expected that
the city council last night would definitely
determine the exact nature OF the altera-
lions which would be demanded in all
Chicago playhouses before they were
again allowed 10 open. 1t was decided to
make the amendment 10 the building or
dinance'the subject for a special meeting
Thursday evening.
A resolution was offered by Alderman
Hunter last night directing the council
committee which has been examining
theatres and stores also TO investigate the
safety OF hotels and club buildings.
The inquest over victims OF the Iro-
auois fire was resumed yesterday.
we are ready 10 make searching
investigation TO find out just who was
responsible for the Iroquois fire We have
cleared away the brush and are prepared
10 get down 10 inner facts. We will
spare no one. for We are determined 10
fix the guilt"
INQUEST RESUMED.
With this statement Coroner Traeger
began the second week of the Iroquois
theatre fire inquest yesterday For a
few days the coroner will be forced 10
put the general public on the stand, but
when he gets through with " he INTENDS
10 start one OF the closest inquiries into
the WORKINGS OF the nuldlnB. ponce, nTe
and electrical departments OF the city
that they have ever known. After an
investigation of 10 days Attorney Fulker-
son OF the fire department has practically
established all Of the points necessary TO
make his report on the causes OF the fire.
These he says. tends Ito show that there
was wilful neglect OF the safety OF the
patrons Of the house"
James NJ strong went before the coro-
ner's jruy and testified that he, with his
mother and wife bought standing room
tickets for the performance and were In
the first balcony When the fire started
they all hurried TO n door. which proved
to be locked exit Breaking the tran
som with his fist, he climbed out. He
found a man with a lot of tools and they
tried TO break down the door from the
outside Then Strong pulled himself up
into the transom 20 try TO lift his mother
and wife out While he was halfway
through the transom. flames filled all
that part OF the theatre and his mother
and wife were burning before his eyes
He was so severely scorched that his life
was despaired OF. II is on Strong's evil
largely rely IL an attempt Is made 10
secure indictments In connection with the
Gre.
TO HELP WOMEN.
George NJ Dusenberry. head usher
testified that he made round OF the
theatre just before the fire and found
about 70 persons standing A few were
move back. He was In the foyer when
the panic started and Immediately, he
said. threw open the two front exits and
ran into the auditorium to assist women
who had been knocked down. He was,
according to his statement. the last per-
son to leave the main floor.
Dusenber~y declared that p number OF
fire eNtinguishers were placed In different
parts OF the theatre. and near the front
door was a hose about ~ feet long He
bad never received Instructions as to
what should be done I'm case OF fire, and
had never Issued any 10 ushers. He
testified that there were three doors lead
ing from the second balcony to the lobby
and thar cte of these was locked, he hav-
Ing fastened n himself with n key. There
were. hc said, I'm passa gewsys from the
first and second balconies folding metal
gates. foth we're locked with chains
and padocks.
nusenberry testified that all exits ex-
cept those on the north side OF the house
we're unlocked. and admitted that there
were fully a dozen attaches OF the
thea tire who had keys TO the doors.
By agreement. the cases i'm which VIII
y Davis Harry w Powers and Building
Commissioners Williams are charged with
nRnsla lighter in connection with the
irOquls theatre fire will be continued to-
morrow until Jan 2t.