Gilpin observer., 1904-01-28
Elk BLAME FOR FIRE
coRo. .lr's JURY BRINGS IN vEE-
CiS1 T.. ih-2o us INQUEST.

Ask ir-i.t snt of Mayor Harrison
Fire -t,scf - am, Building Con
miss-oner ...,,lsas, Manager CT
The-ter anu several Employees.
Chicago Jen. 2G.-The coroner {
jury. which, Tor three weeks. has been
l.s.ening to evidence relating to the
fire in the I-oquois theater. returned
a verdict. by wLiGn tie following pr
sons are he'd to await the action OF
the grand jury Carter II. HARRISON.
mayor oil CT .cago. Will Davis. pro
prietor in part and manager OF the
'theater: George Williams. building
commissioner of the city: Edward
Laughlin. building inspector under
Williams. William Sallers, fireman N
the theater: James Cummings. stage
carpenter William McMuIlen. who
had charge of the lights that caused
the fire; Fire Marshal Musham.
The findings were as follows: THE
cause of the fire was drapery coming
in contact with a food or arc light:
city laws were not complied with re-
lating to building ordinances. -egulat-
ing fire alarm boxes. fire apparatus
damper or fiues, on and over the stage.
and fly galleries; violation Of the ordi-
nance requiring fire proofing of seen.
cry and all woodwork on and about
the stage: asbestos curtain was Who'll
ly inadequate and was entirely de-
stroyed: building ordinances violated
in that aisles were enclosed on each
size cf the lower boxes and absence
of fire apparatus on the orchestra
floor; building ordinances violated in
that there was no fire apparatus in
the gallery o. first balcony"
Will ]. Davis was held responsible
as president and general manager
He was primarily responsible for the
observance OF the laws. and was bound
to see that Lis employees were properly
instructed as to their duties in case
of fire.
In relation to Mayor Harrison. the
verdict reads as follows: I'VE hold
Mayor Carter H. Harrison responsible,
as he has shown lamentable lack OF
force and for efforts to escape respon-
sibility. evidenced by the testimony of
Building Commissioner Williams and
Fire Marshal Musham, who. as heads
of departments under said Carter H.
Harrison. following his weak course,
have given Chicago inefficient service.
which makes such calamities as the
Iroquois tho lter horror menace ui.-
til the public service is purged of in
competents."
Building Commissioner Williams
was held 'for gross neglect of his
duty in allowing the theater to open
it's doors to the public when the said
theater was incomplete and did not
comply with the building ordinances
Of the city of Chicago" Fire Marshal
Musham was held responsible for
gross neglect of his duty in not en-
forcing the city ordinances. Sallers
was held for not reporting the lack
Of fire apparatus. McMullen for care
lessnes, in handling the light that
caused the fire. Cummings. as stage
carpenter. for not providing fire pro-
lection on the stage.
It was decided by Coroner Traeger
that 1t would not be necessary to ar
rest Mayor Harrison. Fire Marshal
Musham and Building Commissioner
Williams and no officers were sent
for them. They will be given a
chance to offer bonds for their appear
ance when wanted
Mitimuses were made out for the ar
rest of the other men. A special grand
jury will convene next week to decide
what action shall be taken on the re-
port Of the coroner's jury. The charges
as far as the city officials are con-
cerned. which the grand jury will con-
slider, is malfeasance in office. Con-
victions mean their removal from Of
fee. in addition to other penalty.
Treasurer Gets Away With 100000.