The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-06
MAYOR VIEWS
The IHEAT'ERS
INsPECTs PROVISIONS FOR PRE-
VENTING AND FIGHTING FIRE.
by City Officials and
Commercial Club Representatives
He Makes Careful Study of Fire
Devices and Exits-Lyceum Plans a
Novel Demonstration.

An official inspection of Minneapo-
lis amusement places began this
morning. Mayor Haynes said that he
wanted to see for himself before act
ing on the Commercial clubs sugges-
ton that he close all such places I'M
til satisfied that they had complied
with all proper regulations for safety.
Accordingly, carriages were in wait
ing at the city hall this morning and
the inspecting party began its rounds
at 1880. The mayor was accompa-
MED by Building Inspector Houghton,
Fire Chief Canterbury, Police Super
intendent Conway, Fire Marshal Rim
ger, Alderman Ryan and two repre-
sentatives Of the Commercial club
George E. Higgins and A. B. Cham
berlain.
What They Looked For.
The inspecting party discussed free
ly the Iroquois fire and concluded that
the great loss Of life was due to four
principle circumstances the failure
OF the asbestos curtain to work; the
lack Of fire extinguishing apparatus on
the stage; the fact that the emergency
exits were locked; and the failure Of
the skylights to create a draft away
from the body Of the theater.
1t pleased the members that in two
essential particulars the Metropolitan
and Bijou were far ahead of the ILL
fated Iroquois. There is plenty of
water for all parts of the house and
none of the emergency doors has a
lock of any kind.
Both theaters were found to be pro-
vided with skylights above the stage,
but neither was automatic Theodore
Hays of the Bijou said he would ar
range a cOntrivance to have the sky
lights opened from the stage, which he
believed was better plan as auto
matte arrangements did not always
work. s..'
It'was found that the fire depart
ment details two men for each mat
1nee performance and one to each
evening performance. The reels of
hose unroll simply by pulling the
nozzle, and one twist Of the hand
turns on the water.
-... Hose Reels on Stage.
Mayor Haynes wanted the hose
tested, but it was explained at the
Metropolitan that the fire water con-
nectiOn was sealed and that the water
department always made fuss when
tests were made. Fire Marshal Ring
er declared that the hose was all right,
however, as he could tell by the
feel. The mayor ordered tests when
he arrived at the Bijou, trying one
basementand one stage reel, both of
which worked perfectly.
The investigation was very thoro,
the party spending about two hours at
each place and going into every room
and Granny.
They found these conditions -
" 6fjou Theater.
Auditorium. stage scenery and junk
room and dressing quarters separated
from each other by fire. proof partitions.
All exposed wooden surface on stage COW
cred with an armOr consisting Of asbestos
and sheet iron outside
Asbestos curtain used at each perform
ance can be worked from four different
places with one hand.
Heating plant outside of theater build
ing.
Electric wiring approved by building
and electric inspectors, porcelain fittings
used turnout. rs -ez.z=5S&. E5t- J,
Twenty five reels of hose ten of them
on the stage connected with a. special
four-inch service pipe. -- $
Twenty five BabcoCk extinguishers. ten
Of them on the stage. @l tSs. & 3 fy@.ssss
? Buckets filled with water wherever they
can DE hung.
Two emergency exits from ground floor
opening on area to alley, in addition to
regular. exits. III %sE T.
-Four exits and two fire escapes from
balcony.
Two exits and one fire escape from
gallery, but another was ordered weeks
ago and will be in place before long.
No locks on any Of the emergency exits
or escapes. -- '"
Metropolitan.
Fire wall between stage and auditorium.
but all doors are not flreproofed by metal
covering. .-
No asbestos curtain.
Heating plant outside Of the theater
building. - -
Electric wiring approved by building
and electric inspectors. All fittings of
porcelain.
Ten reels of hose connected with four
stand-pipes running from basement to
roof
Babcock extinguishers at various places
in the house.
Buckets filled with water hung in num-
bers in the stage part.
Three emergency exits from the ground
floor.
Four exits and two fire escapes from the
balcony.
Two exits and two fire escapes from the
gallery.
Skylfght not automatic
NO locks on any of the emergency exits
or escapes. 49,
TEST AT LYCEUM