New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
DISPLEASED 1T KEITHS.
Mr. Hayes Says Gallery Allozcs NJ
Loophole of Escape.
ORDERS THE AISLES CLEARED.


After visit to Keith's Theatre. in Fourteenth
st near Broadway. yesterday afternoon. IN which
he made a particular inspection OF the gallery
and the stairway leading thereto Fire Com
missioner Hayes declared that gallery such as
he found there should never be permitted. that
1t allowed absolutely no loophole for the
cape OF people in It in case OF fire or panic, and
that II OF the evils Of theatre construc-
ton in this city which ought to be speedily
edied." He declared that he going to do
everything In his power to see that the condi-
tions he found there were changed for the better.
The Commissioner and his friend reached the
theatre entrance about o'clock. and purchased
two seats in the gallery. paying quarter apiece
for them The gatekeeper did not recognize the
Commissioner. and passed him along like any
gallery god"
Commissioner Hayes found. as he afterward
said in telling Of his visit. that the entrance to
the gallery is to the right OF the entrance to the
orchestra seats. and is entirely separate from
the latter. The stairway leading up to the gal
lery is spiral. consisting OF short flights. and is
about four feet wide The Commissioner was
out of breath when he finished the climb. His
ticket was accepted. and he was about to enter
the gallery proper, when he was told that II he
would stand UP for few minutes with the rest
OF the crowd In the rear OF the gallery seats he
might have the first vacant seat
Commissioner Hayes watched the performance
a few moments and then left the gallery. He
went around TO the stage entrance and asked
the doorkeeper TO send the fireman on duty to
him. The fireman, Dennis Kilbride. OF Hook
and Ladder 49, came to the door when sum-
moned. The Commissioner ordered the fireman
10 tell the managers Of the theatre to clear the
aisles at once and to report TO him later. Then
he returned to his office
Speaking later Of his visit. the Commissioner
declared that such conditions were dangerous
and ought to be quickly remeded. and that he
TQr hfu Ir-lN--
that they were.
Edward F. AIbee. general manager for 3. F.
Keith, said last night that the theatre was built
under the present fire and building laws. was
equipped with every possible fire appliance and
was safe as the management could make It.
He continued:
Mr.. Keith's theatres have a name throughout
the country for the manner In which they are
conducted and for the pains taken TO insure
the comfort and safety OF patrons. IL seems par
ticularly hard that at this time when the public
mind is iniamed by tho Chicago horror W,
should be picked out for criticism.
In our gallery in kelth's Fourteenth Street
Theatre are four exits. two on either side OF
these one on the right leads down through an
inclosed brick wall to the street, and there is a
similar exit on the left side We have two off,
GERS ana TWO boys constantly on duty In the
gallery, who have nothing else 70 do except TO
keep order. We have our attaches regularly
drilled by man who was chief In the Boston
Fire Department. and IS pensioned by the city
OF Boston for an injury received at a fire there
His sole duty is to so from one TO another OF
MT. heItN houses ana see That all our FIRE
apparatus Is kept in proper order and that the
employees are thoroughly familiar with the han
ding OF II.
Each year for the last eight years when we
TOOK possession or the theatre, il has been in
spected by the proper authorities. and we have
repeatedly been complimented for the precau-
lions taken In case OF fire or panic and we have
never had the slightest trouble at any time.
When the Fire Commissioner paid his visit
to-day he went TO the gallery and found soma
people standing there. II was pointed out 20
him that they had the option TO ST. down IL
they wanted to. there were seats provided
Tor them They were standing in spaces where
there were benches. which they might use but
preferred 10 stand We believe that II would
be easier for such persons to get out OF the
theatre quickly IN case OF panic II they were
on their feet than II they sitting.