New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-07
WIDENS THE INSPECTION.
ALL AMUSEMENT PLACES.
Special Investigation of Electrical
Equipment To Be Made.

Borough President Ahearn heard yesterday
that inspectors OF the Building Department were
at two theatres in Manhattan Tuesday night
one I'm Broadway and one IN One-hundred-and-
twenty-hfrh-st.-with strict orders TO close the
houses IL the managers OF the two theatres
failed comply with certain regulations before
the doors were opened II was said that the
managers had been pickering about the open
ing OF certain exits which were so constructed
that they We're Of 10 use IN case OF panic, but
they had the exits opened in time 10 prevent the
closing of the theatres by the inspectors and as
a consequence the audiences at both places felt
chilly during the performances, because the In
spectors saw 10 Il that the exits were kept open.
Mr. Ahearn said that Superintendent Thomp-
son Of the Buildings Department would have
had his full support If he had caused the the
atres 10 be closed We are going to enforce the
laws TO the full extent Of our power 10 make a
theatre disaster impossible here" he added.
believe however that the majority Of our the
aires are complying with the law. There may
be some slight evasiOns, but We will stop even
such infractions When / get my report from
Superintendent Thompson, and have submitted
81 and talked II over with Mayor Mcclellan,
shall be glad 10 let the public know what we
have found. Commissioner Hayes OF the Fire
Department is doing spendidly thorough work
get through our theatres VIII be safe as they
can be made There viii always remain the ele-
ment of panic. That can largely be discounted
by the employment by the theatre managers or
competent help and enough OF II. II is wrong 10
expect the kind Of help now employed in some
theatres to do more than they can
Commissioner oakley OF the Department OF
Water Supply. Gas and Electricity has ordered
an investigation Of the electrical equipment OF
every theatre and public hall in the city. Pro
fessor Ira II. Woolson, who has charge OF the
experiments in testing fireproofing materials at
Columbia University, and who was Mayor
Lows commissioner last July 10 the Interna-
tional Congress Of Fire Fighters in London. de
clared that the danger OF fire from short cir
cults was always present IN theatres.
Police Commissioner McAdOo announced that
he had ordered an extra detail OF three police
men to the Metropolitan Opera House, hearing
that there was much confusion in the crowds
besieging the ticket Office previous 70 the per-
fOrmanCes. The policemen 10 see that the
line OF ticket buyers does not block the side
walk and that order is maintained. Chief In
spector CortIiRht preparing TO carry out
the Commissioners order that two patrolmen
shall he in each theatre at each performance,
one In the balcony and the other in the gallery.
Fire Commissioner Hayes sent out an order
10 extend the theatre inspections by the fire
every music hall and other place of
amusement in the city. He said 1t might he
several days before all the reports from the
inspection were IN. He would send a copy Of
each report TO the Corporation Counsel. and
would depend the advice OF that official as
20 his power TO close theatres which did not
comply with the regulations.