The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-05
i..,,,ara with the assistance OF tn

u,issioners, with the assistance OF the
city Engineer, be and they are hereby
requested to examine the various theatres
and public halls with reference to the
safety OF inma ties In case OF fire. Eand 10
report to this body such additional leg
islatlon. II any be necessary, as VIII en-
an.e the departments to compel the IN
situation OF such additional equipment as
may be requisite.
An Important Conference.
IN saturday Chief of Police Howard
a,Gdressed letter on this subject to City
Engineer Cutshaw. In which he called az:
tcptIon to the Chicago fire. and suggested
that he, with the chief OF. the IRE de-
pertinent. accompany him on u tour o.
inepcction Of the public theatres and
halls, with the view of recommending
an ordinance to the City Council.
Before this letter had reached the city.
engineer that gentleman and Major p.
II. p. Myers had a conversation on the
subject and. at the suggestion or Major
Myers, con ference was held at MS
Office yesterday afternoon
Those present at this conference were
Major Myers. City Engineer cutsllaw,
Chief Howard, Chief Fuller, President
Frfschkorn. Of the Fire Board Mr., Al
fred B. Williams and Mr.. Joseph Bryan.
Tho question was discussed at some
length, ana the sense Of the gentlemen.
present was that Immediate action should
| be taken by the Council to compel the
owners of theatres and halls 70 install
safety appliances and to offer their
| patrons perfect Immunity from harm by
fire, so far as In their power lies
1t was felt by these gentlemen that
comparative safety could be guaranteed
the public by tho installation OF fire
/ plug on the stage of each theatre ana
public halS. to be manned constantly dur
ing performance by an experienced
fireman, who should be ready upon an
instnnts notice to turn on the water.
The suggestion was also made. that the
managers and owners of all such places
of amusement be compelled to provide
ashes os or other safety curtain, to be,
used in case Of fire.
Giving to the anticipated action on the
meter by Council, tho gentlemen IN tho
conference adopted no specific resolu-
tions They merely made suggestions.
which vera designed to be taken up by
tho municipal bodies.
Fire Boards Action
Tho question was seriously discussed
n. the meeting of the Board of Fire COM
missioners last night. This body. how
eye,, took no definite action, pending
ton was postponed for n called mag,
which may be held this week.
During the discussion tho sense of the.
body was clearly shown to DO for quick
action.
A resolution presented by Captain
Charles II. Taylor designed to- bridge
over the matter temporarily, was adoptod,
Tho resolution instruts the chief ct
tho Fire Department to inspect tie
theatres at oncoiand do what no thinks Is
best for the safety of all concerned
In the general discussion Captain Tay.
lor thought tho best plan to be the in
stalaton of q plug ON the stages. with
tho constant presence of fireman.
whose duty 1t would be to test his APP
pnratus before every performance.
This arrangement met lie approval Of
tho other members. and the indication was
that when the authority Is given The
Board by Council. such an arrangement
as that>referred to will be made.
Water Curtain.
Tho question of a curtain was not
touched upon. suggestion made by
Manager Walter Fesser,9 of "rhe Great
White Diamond Company. now Mt tho
BIjou Theatre, was looked upon favor
ably, however. 81 .i,
MIR. Fessler's suggestion was that Of a
"water curtain" which means q per-
forated water ripe arranged around the
prosceuium arch Of tho theatre, This Pipe
should be connected directly With the
ping, At the outbreak Of a fire the simple
turning OF cock nm the stage would
4 cause the prosceniumT pipo TO IN with
/ water which would be forced tlirotiSh
4 the holes In the pipe IN such q WAY us
ia Inrm perfect sheet az water netHesa