Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-04
PRECAUTIONS TAKEN
PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO
GUARD AGAINST LOSS OF LIFE.
Commissioners Collecting Data Re
garding Equiment Of Theaters and
Hotels for Fire Fighting.

Commissioner Henry B. F. Mcfarland,
president of the board Of District Commits
sioners. is engaged IN compiling any infor-
nation available relative to precautionary
measures against fire In the construction OF
theaters and hotels. with the view to pro-
posing additional regulations and. IL neces-
sary. to securing adequate congressional
legislation with regard to the matter in
connection with buildings In the District OF
Columbia.
Mr. mcfarland Is carefully studying the
reports OF the recent Chicago theater DIS
aster and noting suggestions for precau-
lions against fire furnished by that eatas-
trophe. He expects also to secure copy
of the official report OF that unfortunate
affair. in addition to newspaper reports on
the same subject. He has received from
the Fire Underwriters Association of Phil
adelphia report on the Girard Avenue
Theater fire which occurred In that city
October % last and Is carefully considering
that report. with the idea of obtaining val
liable suggestions for improvements In nre-
proof construction in the washington 'he-
aters.
Mar. Macfarland believes that the present
precautionary regulations in the Dlstrict
embody all the provisions for sarety that
have been furnished by past experiences.
The fires In the Iriquois Theater in Chicago
and In the Girard Avenue Theater In .Phila-
deIphia are the latest tests OF precautionary
measures in modern theater construction,
and 1t Is believed that many valuaDie sus.
nestiors for improvement of conditions Will
he obtained from those recent disasters. 1t
is proposed. If possible, to correct any de.
fects in the present regulations and to add
to them IL necessary.
Test Of Asbestos Curtains.
Commissioner mcfarland has directed
the chief engineer of the fire department to
have the asbestos curtains which have been
provided in all the theaters of Washington
tested a. to their present condition. and as
to the means of raising and lowering them
and their effectiveness in general The lat
est reports of the department indicate tnat
these curtains are in satisfactory condition.
Commissioner Mcfarland Is considering
the advisability Of requiring metal curtains
to be installed II the asbestos curtains can
not be made effective in all cases
In speaking with regard to what pre-
cautions have been taken by the autnorl-
ties in Washington for the saiety OF the
public Mr.. mcfarland stated to re-
porter for Thu Star today that In some
instances the proprietors OF local thea
tiers and hotels, at the request of the
Commissioners. have made certain
changes which the proprietors considered
it is doubtful If they would be required TO
make under existing laws. In the matter
of electrical wiring. he stated, many I'M
provcments have been made upon sug-
eestions of the authorities, although
there is a question as to whether or not
the proprietors of buildings could be
compelled to accede to the requests OF
the officials
The Commissioners have been for sew
eral years endeavoring to obtain leS1sla-
ton from Congress to enable them TO
better regulate electrical wiring in the
District, and they hope that they Will De
successful in securing the enactment of
more comprehensive law on this subject.