The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-05
Lest We Forget.

4 1t Is ono or tho comforts, DuL at LIle
same timc innrmitios, Of human nature,
that we rapidly forget he shocks Of great
disasters, and quietly resume our former
conditions and let tho waters Of oblivion
settle smoothly over tho wreck We
therefore do not intend to allow the
awful warning given us by the 1rouuois
Theatre disaster to DO ignored, and Tor
our authorities and theatre owners to
continue to tempt providence by an IN
sufficient provision against fire. AS far,
as the authority OF the City Council CAN
BIO invoked, 1t shall be, to take all pos
.sible steps against the occurrence OF a.
public calamity like the ono that appalled,
Richonind nearly q hundred years ago
and has become a. historic event, and
which has been from time to time repeat
ed in other cities. We shall continue 70
present this matter until tho suggestion
Of the eminent engineer, referred to re-
Gently by us, is carried out, and an OIL.
cient and experienced fireman Is placed
conspicuously in every theatre, uniformed,
SO that his function will be at once rec
tognized, and equipped both with hose ana
axe, SO that his functions can be effective.
We trust that the fire commissioners will
take such steps as are now IN their power
to put this into effect at once, and leave
the question OF expense, which should DC
borne by the theatres, to be settled mere
after
Another prevention which ought to be
enforced instantly is the forbiddng of all
smoking by anybody while in the theatre
before or behindt the scenes, upstairs or
downstairs. Everyone must have observed
tho reckless way In which the cigarette
smoker strikes his match, lights his GIG
arctic, and throws the lighted match
anywhere that Is convenient, or when he
ia half done his cigarette. or II he has
to stop. he throws the lighted Cigarette
into the most convenient corner, perhaps
among rubbish. This Is simply the usual
and customary act OF recklessness, but
1t should be instantly stopped, though
as far as We know there Is no law which
authorizes any public officer to stop
smoking In theatres. Such authority
ought to be given at once and strictly
enforced,
Another ounce Of prevention which will
help tho cause Is keeping the aisles clear
of all Instructions, such as temporary
seats or otherwise. 1t Is easy to talk
about folding up seats or removing oo-
structions when people are trying to hurry
out. The first thing that happens In
such cases is for some helpless child or
unsteady lady to fall down over these
instructions, and then others stumble
over that PROSTATE body, and they fall
down, and so it goes on until the aisles,
ns reported arc piled up. and death by
suffocaton comes to scores.
Tho outlets from all theatres should be
carefully examined and made to open out
easilv from tho inside. There are no
doubt some provisions Of this kind IN our
theatres, but they are not used, and We
| have secn crowds wait for a long time 10
get out. when there were probably exits
| that for some reason or other are not
| open for the convenience of the public.
These outlets should be kept In use ana
the audience practiced In their use by
having tho opportunity to use them on
ordinary occasions. These helps IN inc
cause Of safety are all perfectly available
now and before tho asbestos curtain.
which is a most important device, is put
up. This latter should p9 insisted upon
with all possible speed, and should be
arranged so that it will not be obstructed
by other fixtures, NYo hope that tho fire
commissioners will urge these matters
upon the city Council until all necessary
authority is given for every provision
for the safety OF a theatre audience Is
made that is now known.
====-=-===--