The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-26
SEVEN HELD BY
|ROQUO|RS Jury
Prominent Men Must Face the
Grand Jury
BLAMED FOR GREAT DISASTER
coroner's Jury Heard 10000 Words
of Testimony and the Verdict
Was Returned Much Sooner
Than Expected.
BLAMED FOR GREAT DISASTER

Chicago, January o5.-The Iroquios jury,
which for three weeks has been listening
to evidence to the fire in the Iroquois
threatre, returned verdict by which the
following persons are held to await the
action of grand jury:
Carter H. Harrison mayor of Chicago.
William ]. Davis. proprietor in part
and manager of tn, theatre.
George Williams. uilding commission
er of Chicago.
Edward Laughlin. building inspevtor un-
der Williams.
w. n. Sallers, fireman in the theatre.
James E. Cummings, statge carpenter.
William MoMullen, who rad charge OF
the light that caused the fire.
1t was not generally thought that the
jury would be able to make report so
promptly, and when 1t retired to consider
the evidence Coroner Traeger announced
/ that he did not expect a verdict before
tomorrow morning.
There ere over 100000 words o. testi-
mony and each juror, according to law,
would be compelled to sign his name 10
the testimony of each witness, which
TO write MS name 572 times. This work
alone, the coroner estimated would con-
sumo five hours. There was, therefore,
considerable surprise when the jury an
rounced. shortly before 10 o'clock. that it
had reached a verdict and was ready to
report.
Should Be Taken Into Custody.
II Of opaa de,{da1 hv The f.oraf.af
that all men who should be neld by lne
verdict to the grand jury, should be taken
| into custody tonight. He, therefore. at
cnce prepared warrants for their arrest
| and called upon the police department
for officers to serve them.
i Il dc not expect thar Aume Of these
men who are likely to be held will try
to escape" said the coroner, but some
of them who have not large property
interests. might take 1t into their heads
to do so. do not intend that there shall
be any mistakes in that direction laid to
my department. If / cause the arrest of
one of them, l am compelled to cause the
arrest of all, and there will be no favorat-
ism shown, no matter who the men are
held by the jury.
AS soon as the finding of the jury was
announced details of officers were sent
for the men named in the verdict, with
orders to bring them in at once, and II
they could not furnish bail, there to be
taken to the county Jail for the night
The findings of the jury were as fol-
| lows:
Findings of the Jury.
"violation of the ordinance requiring
| fire proof scenery and all woodwork on
and about the stage.
Asbestos curtain was wholly made
quate and was entirely destroyed.
Building ordinances violated in that
| aisles were enclosed on each side of the
lower boxes, and absence of fire ap-
paratus on the orchestra floor.
Building ordinances violated in that
there was no fire apparatus in the gal
lery of the first balcony.
sWill J. Davis was held responsible as
president and general manager. He was
| primarily responsible for the observance
of the laws and was bound to see that
his employees were properly instructed as
| to their duties in case of fire.
.In.relation to Mayor Harrison as may
! or of the city of Chicago, we hold him
responsible as he has shown lament
| able lack of force, and for his efforts 20
| escape responsibility evidenced by the
| testimony of Building Commissioner VIII
| liams and Fire Marshal Musham. Heads
of departments under the said Carter F.
|
given Chicago inefficient service which
makes such calamities as the Iroquois the
| atre horor a menace until the public SER
vice Is purged of incompetents."
Building Was Unfinished.
Building Commissioner Williams was
held for gross neglect Of his duty in d.
| lowing the theatre to open it's doors to
| The public when the said theatre was In
| complete and did not comply with the
| building ordinances of the city of Chi
| cago."
| Fire Marshall Musham was held respon-
| sibe for gross neglect of duty in not en-
forcing the city ordinances, and failure
TO have his subordinate, William Sellers.
fireman at the theatre, report to him OF
| the lack of fire apparatus; McMullen for
carelessness in handling the light that
caused the fire; Cummings as stage car
| penter for not providing the stage with
| proper fire protection.
Later in the night after the members
of the jury had departed, it was decided
by Coroner Treager that 1t would not be
necessary to arrest Mayor Harrison.
Fire Marshal Musham and Building Com
missioner Williams tonight. and no Of
6cers were sent for them. All three OF
them will be at their offices at the city
hall tomorrow morning and will then be
given a chance to offer bonds for their
appearance when wanted.
Mitimusses were made out, however, for
the arrest of the other six men.
A special grand jury will convene next
week to reopen the investigation and
decide what action shall be taken on
the report of the coroner's jury. The
charges, as far as the city officials are
concerned, which the grand jury will con-
slider, is malfeasance in office.
Convictions mean their removal from
office IN addition to any other penalty.
BAKED THE BABY. y
r.(.~~.-1 xuie Ionuorv Ok