Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-14
CITY FATHERS
Begin Definite Action for Better
Fire Protection.
Investigation to Be Made and Reported
Within Thirty Days.
Step in Right Direction, with Every.
ones Approval.

Inc municipal officers held a special
meeting in the aldermen's room, last
evening, for the purpose of taking ac-
ton on the matter of the Sunday OPEN
ing OF fruit ana candy stores, and also
lor the better protection of public and
other buildings against fire.
Inc fruit and candy store question
was taken UP first, and by vote of the
members present, was laid on the table
until the next regular meeting of the
city council
Inc interest of the meeting centered
IN the second subject of the call, which
came in for general discussion. City
solicitor Maher was present, and pre-
Vlous TO any action being taken, read
a number of sections from Chapter &c
of the Revised Statutes, which are of
sufficient interest to everyone to be
printed in full. They are as follows:
Sec. %. Every building intended
temporarily or permanently for public
use. and every schOolhOuse and school,
room, shall have all inner doors, in
tended for egress, open outward. The
outer doors of all such buildings shall
be kept open when the same are used
by the public, unless they open out
wards; but fly-doOrs opening both
ways may be kept closed.
Sec. &c. Every public house where
guests are lodged and every building
in which any trade, manufacture or
business is carried on, requiring the
presence of workmen or other persons
above the first story, and all rooms
used for public assembly or amuse-
ment, shall at all times be provided
with suitable and sufficient fire es-
ca2es outside stairs, or ladders from
each story or gallery above the level
of the ground, easily accessible to all
inmates in case of fire or of an alarm
of fire: the sufficiency thereof to be
provided as in the following section.
Sec. q. In all towns or parts of
towns having no organized fire depart
ment. the municipal officers shall an
nually make careful inspection of the
precautions and safeguards provided in
compliance with the foregoing require
ments, and pass upon their sufficiency
as to arrangement and number, and
upon their state Of repair; and direct
such alterations, additions and repairs
as they adiudge necessary. In towns
cities and villages having an organized
fire department, the duties aforesaid
shall be discharged by the board Of
fire engineers.
Sec. %. Such municipal officers or
fire engineers shall give written notice
to the occupant of such building. also
to the owner thereof, if known, of their
determination as to the sufficency of
said precautions and safeguards. spec
flying in said notice any alteration,
addition or repair which they may re-
Quire. Sixty days are allowed for COM
pliance with such notice and order.
Sec. %. Any owner or occupant who
neglects 20 comply with such order.
within the time so allowed, fOrfeitS
$50, besides S. for every days continue
ance of such neglect; and the building
or part of building so occupied shall
be deemed a common nuisance. with
out any other evidence than proof of
its use: and the keeper shall be pun
ished accordingly. Said officers may
forbid the use of such building for any
public purpose until their order has
been complied with. And if the owner
or occupant of said building lets or
uses the same in violation of such Or
der. ne forfeits not less than $40 nor
"Sec. 30. Whenever the municipal
officers or engineers, upon inspection,
find that proper safeguards and pre-
cautions for escape in case of fire, or
of alarm. have been provided. they
shall give to the occupants of such
building a certificate, under their
hands, Of such fact: which shall be
valid for one year only from it's date.
Such officers shall return to the clerks
office of their town, monthly, n list of
such certificates by them issued,
which the clerk shall record in a suit
able book.
Sec 81. Every person receiving
such certificate shall pay to such Off
GERS two dollars therefor. and shall
keep such certificate posted in such
building. Such annual certificate. so
posted. is prima facie evidence of the
inspection of such building. and of the
presence of suitable safeguards and
precautions. Every occupant of such
building who neglects or refuses to pro-
cure such certificate, or to post the
same rs aforesaid. forfeits ten dollars
for every week that he so neglects and
refuses.
sec 80. Every municipal officer or
fire engineer who refuses or neglects
to perform the duties imposed upon
him by the seven preceding sections
forfcits fifty dollars.
"Sec. 33 All fines and forfetures
imposed by the four preceding sec
tiors may be recovered by the town