Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-08
SAYS IHEATER
WAS OVERCR0WDED
Audience at 1roqaois Exceeded the
Seating Capacity on Day
of Fire Horror.
CoUNClLtAPPOINTS COMMITTEE
TO INVESTIGATE CATASTROPHE

ON Responsible Parties - Another
Name. Added to Death Roll-Pre-
cautions Being Taken I'm other
Cities.
Chicago, Jan. Cat the inquiry be-
fore Fire Inspector Fulkerson late Mon
day afternoon, Manager Edwin H.
Price. OF the Iroquois theater, testified
that about ten minutes before the fire
broke out the treasurer told him that
they had sold about 100 more tickets
than the seating capacity. Manager
Price said the receipts December 80
were about $1.7oO.
Council Appoints Committee.
The city council adopted the mayors
suggestion that committee of seven
aldermen, who are builders or contrac-
tors. shall investigate the Iroquois the
alter catastrophe, place the blame and
make recommendations which may
prevent the recurrence of similar dis
asters.
The members of the commission
are: Alderman John H. Jones, chair
man; Alderman William Mavor, AL
derman William H. Ehemann, Alder
man Luther p. Friestedt, Alderman
Patrick j. OConnell, Alderman Mi
chael D. Dougherty, and Alderman
William T. Maypole.
Alderman John H. Jones, the chair
man, and all the members of the COM
mittee are practical builders or con-
tractors, and a speedy and able report
is certain.
oy,,sc 1,a1l
ing at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.
The mayor refuses to allow lower
floors Of theaters to be used and the
managers say they may remain closed
for months. An order sent out by Build
ing Commissioner Williams closed 1924
halls. Every place of amusement in
the city is now shut.
Another death Tuesday brought the
number of victims of the Iroquois fire
up to SOL There still remain four
unidentified bodies at the county
morgue.
The death of Miss Josephine Spence,
7110 Princeton avenue, was reported to
Coroner Traeger She was found by
her relative in one of the temporary
hospitals and taken to her home,
where she died
Coroner's Jury Investigates.
Deputy Coroner Lawrence Buckley
again on Monday led the six jurors who
are to sit on the inquest over the bodies
OF the victims of the Iroquois theater
disaster through the Inflated structure.
Observation was taken of all the mute
evidence that has been discovered by
the many investigations that have been
made in the place.
st. Louis Managers Recede.
Sc. Louis. Jan. 6.-Mayor Wells has
resumed personal charge of the work Of
ascertafping to what extent the thea
tiers OF St. Louis are violating the build
ing laws, and will compel managers to
equip them with every necessary appli-
ance to prevent fires or panics. At a
meeting with Fire Chief Swingley and
representatives OF insurance COM
panies the theater managers receded
from their former belligerent attitude.
They agreed to place red lights as well
as the word exits" over all the exits to
the theaters, and also approved of Build
ing Commissioner Heimburger's idea to
test the asbestos curtain in each play
house.
Philadelphia Theaters Closed.
Philadelphia, Jan. 6.--Acting on the
preliminary report of the commission of
experts appointed to inspect the thea
ters in this city Mayor Weaver Tuesday
ordered the Lyceum theater, vaude-
willie play house, closed. The mayor
also ordered the balcony and gallery of
the Remington theater and the balcony
OF the Grand opera house closed. The
commission reported that the gallery
exits Of both the Kensington theater and
Grand opera house were inadequate.
The two theaters are popular priced play
houses. Mayor Weaver has signified
his intention to take Immediate action
upon the suggestions Of the commission
with regard to other theaters. The ex-
psrts are continuing their inspection.
particular attention being given to the
exits.
Galleries Must he Closed.
6isyeiApd, o., Jan. g. - The fire de-
paTtment oftieials have ordered the gall
lsries Of the Cleveland theater and the
Lycsum theater closed To patrons until
safety precautions ordered have been
put into effect
Accepts New Position.
Knoxville, Tenn, Jan. Cdr. Charles
~. Dabney Tuesday resigned as presi-
Asat Of the University of Tenne ssee to
accept the presidency of the University
az Cincinnati The resignation is effect
I've September !. next. when he will
fakA charge In Cincinnati