New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
MCCLELLAN TAKES A HAND
HE ORDERS INSPECTIONS.
Commissioner Hayes Denies There
Has Been FaUo1tism.

safe and preventing a disaster IN New-York
like that at the Iroquos Theatre in Chicago
was considered yesterday at a conference be-
tween Mayor Mcclellan. Fire Commissioner
Hayes. Police Commissioner McAdoo, Health
Commissioner Darlington. Borough President
Ahearn and Theodore Connoly. representing
Corporation Counsel Delany. The Mayor called
the conference in his office at the request OF Mr.
Hayes. and after ii oyer the Mayor said
he had requested both the Fire Commissioner
and the Health Commissioner to have examina-
tions made Of all the theatres in the five bor-
oughs of the city. He also had requested the
presidents OF the horoughs 10 have their super
intendents Of buildings make reports about the
theatres and other places of amusement in the
several boroughs. regarding the manner in
which such buildings comply or fail to comply
with the building laws.
The inspection OF the theatres by order OF
Fire oCr1missfoner Hayes Is ;,lready partly
completed, and the reports Of that inspection
will deal chiefly with asbestos curtains. exits
and heating and lighting arrangements. The
Mayor viii receive the reports in a day or
two Health Commissioner Darlngtons report
will deal with the sanitary conditions at the
theatres, including the means of ventilation. 1t
may be several days before the sanitary Of
ficials can complete such investigation
When the reports received. If IL is found
that theatre IS unsafe by reason of failure TO
comply with the fire. sanitary and building
regulations. the Mayor may take steps to close
it until the place is made safe.
When receive the reports Mayor Mcclellan
said yesterday. Il shall take such action as will
prevent any violation OF the law at the theatres
in the future. and stop any that is discovered. 1
have taken the action to-day because OF the
justifable public sentiment which has been
aroused by the Chicago fire"
"Wfll you close any theatre if its manager
shows a disposition to delay such alterations
may be found necessary" was asked.
NOT TO CONSIDER MANAGERS.
1--WE shall override any such disposition the
Mayor said. The convenience of the theatre
managers is not to be considered when it is
question of life death for the public"
Borough President Ahearn sent for Mr..
! Thompson. the Superintendent of Buildings. and
ordered him TO let everything else wait upon an
inspection OF the theatre buildings in Manhat-
tan He told Mr.. Thompson TO have the reports
on the theatres ready at the earliest possible
minute
Fire Commissioner Hayes said in the after
! noon that he had received a special report from
/ Foreman Lenihan regarding the asbestos
/ tains in theatres in Manhattan. The report says
/ that all the theatres have asbestos curtains
which appear 10 be hreproof and in good work.
]
! l25 East One-hundred-a and twenty -ffth-st: the
/ Circle Theatre. az Broadway and Sixtieth-st..
/ and Fubers Museum at No 1O6 East Four
teenth-st. The Commissioner said he kaG not
| taken any step 20 close those places OF amuse-
| ment which had no asbestos curtains for the
stage as he did not know that he had the power
10 take such action but he was willing to let the
public know Of the lack Of safety at those places
The Mayor yesterday asked Police Commits
! sioner McAdoo to have two additional police
men stationed in each theatre during each per-
! fornance One Of the policemen is to stay IN
! the balcony and the other IN the gallery, and
/ they will be expected to see that there is no
! blocking Of the stairways or aisles or over
crowding Of the lobbies. In Of disturb
/ ances from any cause. the police would be
pected TO aid in preventing panics.
The attention Of Fire Commissioner Hayes
was called yesterday TO a report that he had
! shown favor 10 the theatres controlled by what
! Is known as the theatrical syndicate I'm not
including any Of them in the list Of places to
| which he detailed additional fremen. He said
he did not recognize any syndicates and did not
| consider the ownership of any theatre in his
/ desire to have all the theatres made safe.
"I have been told to-day. however" he added.
THAT one sO-called syndicate theatre is in
cluded in my list. This is Days Theatre"
rs there to be any favor shown to the
/ Dewey Theatre. said to be controlled by Tim
otby D. sullivan" was asked.
DENIES FAVOR TO SULLIVAN
There is to be favor shown by me for
anv theatre on account of its control was the
reply. al have to-day ordered an inspection of
the Dewey Theatre"
/ Police Commissioner McAdoo was asked after
the conference at the Mayors office if he in
Continued sixth page.