The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-10
PUBLIC SCHOOLS DECLARED UNSAFE Iron Gates in the Iroquois
 Were Locked BALCONIES WERE CLOSED Meeting of Relatives of Those Lost In Theatre Fire Is Held to Take
 Steps to Place Blame
 for Fire.
BALCONIES WERE CLOSED

Chicago, January 9.-It was discovered today that two iron gates, the existence of which has not been known to the pub lie, and which were removed from the Iroquois theatre after the fire, played d deadly part in the destruction of life in the iil-fated playhouse.
 Fire Inspector Fulkerson, who knew of their existence, was not able until today to secure sworn evidence concerning these gates. Today Jesse N. Dusenberry, head usher of the theatre. admitted to MT. Full kerson that these gates were placed one across an exit from the first balcony and the other across an exit from the second balcony
 Both gates were locked securely with padlocks and were never at any perform ance unlocked until after the second act of the play. On the day of the fire the second act had not been completed when the catastrophe occurred and the gates were still standing. They were so strong that the f1remen were not able to batter them down with axes after the fire. anS to the frenzied people who sought safety through those exits they were absolutely impenetrable.
 In his sworn statement given 10 In- | spector Fulkerson, Dusenberry declared | that they were locked to prevent people from entering portions of the house to which their tickets did not grant them admission. It was the duty of Dusenberry to see that these two gates were locked before every performance, and unlocked after the second act. When asked by the inspector why man had not been sta | .11o .ft II. 4o +1,a audience. Dusenberry said that he merely received his orders from Messrs. Powers and Davis, the managers of the theatre, and had carried them out
 Found Gates After Fire.
 'T found those gates after the fire l said Inspector F'ulkerson. "all battered and bent inward, but still standing. and both of them being locked. l questioned Dusenberry about them at that time, but | did not care to say anything publicly until I had secured his sworn statement and this I now have"
 1 meeting of the relatives of people who were lost in the fire was held this afternoon to agree upon concerted action toward establishing responsibility for the ! fire, and for accomplishing the punish ment of the persons who should be found guilty of criminal negligence.
 | 1t was held at the office of Arthur E. Hull. whose wife and three children per ished in the fire A committee of five was appointed to arrange for a larger meeting to be held Wednesday evening" the offices l of MT. Hull having been found too small | to accommodate all who desired to gain admittance.
 Several of the speakers at the meeting urged that If the corcners Jury fixed the responsibility of the disaster upon any of | the city officials they should be attacked in the civil courts and made responsible l for damages as long as their property should last.
 Public Schools Are Unsafe. | Miss Lizzie Haley. teacher in the public schools. created something of sensation by declaring that many of the public school buildings are absolutely | without protection against fire, and that repeated protests by teachers and princi- pals had produced no result and had not even been honored by a reply
 It was the sense of the meeting that damage suits would be instituted against | I<law & Erlanger, who represent the l eastern stockholders in the theatre. and the manner of doing this will be decided upon at the next meeting next Wednes- day night
 In the light of this evidence, the test- mony taken to date shows that there were two previous direct warnings to the l Iroquos management before the cata- strophe. Joseph Dougherty, curtan man. ager. testified during the fire department 1 investigation that there was fire on the stage a week before the holocaust.
 The impression Is rapidly growing among those who have followed the in- l aury to date, that the Blue Beard production was doomed The first mem- bers of the double octette in the moon- light scene today told the coroners jury of the Cleveland fire, which burned the big fans used as a part of the scenery in the second act According to the tes- timony on record, there were four dis tinct warnings of the danger of fire in the production of the spectacular show. Adjournment was taken until Monday.