The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-02

NllC III old6CS q Ot lOCa1o WIZ oNCA
PARK IS INSPECTED.
"Mr. Dixon, one of the proprietors of the
Park Theater, and Manager Bowlby as
sisted US in our inspection of that house.
and took special pains to explain their
method of conducting the business. One
thing In particular that impressed us about
the Park Is its remarkable cleanliness.
This theater has a seating capacity for 1000
people, with eighteen exits six feet wide.
No chairs are allowed in the aisles and no
persons are allowed to stand in the pas
sageways. Ushers are instructed to throw
the doors open when necessary, and Ii was
stated to us that the house can be cleared
in less than three minutes. 1t has six stand
pipes, with fifty feet of hose for each one,
six fire eXtinguishers always in condition
for use, and all appliances or safety neces-
sary for immediate action. The house has
also in use a galvanized iron pan lined with
asbestos of sufficient capacity TO catch all
sparks that may fall from carbon when
color lights are thrown on the stage. The
management has in contemplation exit sig
mails or large letters.
Lastly. we made a thorough eXamina
ton of the Grand opera house, under the
guidance of Manage Shafer Zeigler. Here
we found many things to suggest improve
ments that should be made-things that are
absolutely necessary for the safety of the
building. This house has ten exits about
five feet wide, some of which need re-
pairs in order to operate them easily. The
seating capacity is LOCO. MIR. Zeigler has
ordered no chairs to be placed in the aisles,
and no persons shall stand In the passage
ways. He has instructed ushers to be on
the alert when necessary to open doors of
egress. No stand pipes are found in the
building, nor is 1t provided with hose 1t
has several fire buckets, which is about all
the equipment for fighting a fire except
six fire extinguishers.
Every theater in the city has an asbes-
tos curtain, and these, on our inspection of
them to-day, seemed to be in good work.
ing condition.
We beg leave to make the following sug-
gestions:
THE Empire could be very much i'm
proved by having a brick wall between the
auditorium and the stage. extending to the
roof. The present will is an ordinary studd
wall, with lath and plaster on both sides.
THE English SENS to be perfect In its
construction, and we regard it about as
safe as a building of this kind can be
made.
1.-The Park Theater is a well built house
for non-freproof construction, and we
think comparatively free from danger.
IMPROVEMENTS ORDERED.
"At the Grand many improvements are
need that should be made. We shall insist
on at least six stand pipes, with the nee
essary hose attachments. The walls in
front Of the stage should be of brick, ex-
tending through the roof on account of roof
construction. 1t would be very difficult for
the fire department TO successfully combat
a fire here. owing to the hampered condi-
ton of the surroundings.
"a more thorough examination might dis
close some features that require attention,
but with tsese improvements made, the
theaters Of Indianapolis would be in very
much better shape"
Mayor Hoffman stated last evening that
all theater owners of this city will be i'm
mediately notified that such changes as are
recommended by Building Inspector Stanley
must be made Immediately.
II do not think said the mayor, that
such stringent measures as have been
adopted by the mayor Of Chicago are nee
essary in Indianapolis. But the building
law will be enforced to the letter, and / am
of the opinion that inspections of the local
theaters should be made frequently. Such
improvements as are ordered must be made
under the direction of the building in
spector. 1t is a peculiar coincidence that
Mr.. Stanley began to take steps toward in
surfing the safety of theater audiences be-
fore the Chicago fire occurred, when he
Informed the Management of the Grand
last week., as a preliminary to informing
other houses of the same thing. that the
aisles and passageways must be kept alb
solutely clear Of chairs or DISTINCTIONS"