New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10
NEW FIRE RULES AT ONCE.
Theatre Managers Tel Mayor They
VII DO Al Then Can.

AS result Of the Mayors conference with the
theatre managers yesterday. which convinced
him that they were willing to take all necessary
precautions. Colonel Mcclellan declared last
night that regulations prepared Jointly by
the Fire Department. the Buildings Bureau
and the Health Department. would go into
effect. These regulations. which are being
formulated now by the heads of the three de-
partments which have jurisdiction over places
OF public amusement. viii be forwarded to the
theatres tomorrow. The Mayor does not know
just what more VIII he required. but in view of
the present stringent requirements he thinks It
will be nothing radical.
All the managers who had been invited to
the Mayors reception-there were ifty-nine-at-
tended The managers were pleased with the
methods Mayor Mcclellan IS using TO bring
about what changes are necessary. and the
Mayor pleased find that the managers
seeIned eager 10 do anything necessary TO pro-
tect their audiences.
After he had talked over the situation with
them the Mayor announced that representa-
tives Of ffty-nine theatres IN Manhattan had
cheertully agreed to follow any recommended
uons the Fire, Health and Buildings depart
ments might make. He had intended call the
Brooklyn managers 10 see him tomorrow, he
said but Borough President Littleton had
begun work along that line he had decided not
20 interfere with him. The Mayor said he would
however, take up The Bronx. Queens and Rich
mond Monday.
II have tried to get results" the Mayor said
without sensational methods and without eX-
citing the public TO unnecessary alarm / am
very much grstihed to ind that the representa-
tive Of every theatre in Manhattan has met mo
more than half way. 1t is much better TO
fure their promises 90 make any changes We
suggest than To have 10 force them TO act
T1n 7G1- fa-1 FeA1r hot NxrG
cause."
The Mayor began work at a m promptly.
he got through seeing his long list Of callers
Oscar Hammerstein had a long talk with the
Mayor, and unfolded plan which so interested
Colonel Mcclellan. the manager SAYS that a
conference Of the Fire Commissioners, the Build
lngs Superintendent. the Health Commissioner
and MIR. Hammerstein has been arranged TO dis
cuss the scheme.
E1-Chief Croker OF the Fire Department at
tended performance Of ''Ba bes in Toyland" at
the Majestic Theatre on Friday night, and at
the invitation Of Mr. Flaherty gave the theatre
building a thorough inspection. Il find the
Majestic Theatre absolutely fT~oroo1," saG Mr.
Croker. II found very little WED draperies
or inhammable material used in the theatre
The Easements equipped with autoTatic
sprinlzlers, fire hose and patent eXtingutshers
and the dressing rooms, engine rooms and
dynamo room Of fireproof construction. The
doors and everything about them in strict
compliance with the law. in the matter Of exits
the Majestic Theatre is OF the best |
ever in. The fire escapes from the upper stories
ere broad and run directly to the ground, and
the orchestra floor is provided with fine broad
exits opening in Fifty-eighth and Fifty-ninth
SITS. The Majestic can be emptied in four min
utes. The curtain has been tested and found TO
be asbestos
There are many churches and public halls in
the city which may come under investigation.
They are all included under the section Of the
buildings code which applies TO theatres and
places of amusement. The code requires that
the aisles and exits be kept clear. yet in many
Of the older churches :here are pews with doors
srbf aiSlPS, and cause
confusion even TO an orderly church congrega-
lion Mayor Mcclellan said yesterday that the
churches had not been taken up yet
Many Of the public halls. particularly on the
East Side are fmsy affairs, frequently the
second floor of some old wooden building, up
narrow wooden stairways They are often
without fixed seats but have chairs and benches
placed around the floor. These IN a panic.
would throw the utmost confusion into the
throng. An investigation into these features
would doubtless disclose most dangerous con-