Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-23
Points Called to Attention.

There are several points to which atten-
ton is invited. There are only two the
alters in the city, namely, the Lafayette and
the Columbia, which have been built or
altered since the adoption of the regula-
tons of 1899 and which are thoroughly fire.
proof. The other theaters are not-freproof
but have an arch of brick or other fire.
resisting material between the stage and
the auditorium, with one exception noted
above, which will have this fire-resisting
material within short time. AS a result,
the Commissioners feel assured that should
a fire take place on the stage, with this
fire-resistng arch, the asbestos curtain and
the automatically opening skylights, it Will
be confined to that part of the theater
sufficiently long TO enable the audience to
leave the theater in quiet and orderly
manner. This, with the enforcement of the
regulations about asles. fire escapes, stair
ways, lighted exits and fire appliances, is
considered q reasonably safe condition in
the theaterS.
The perforated pipes or automatic
sprinklers will be of greater value when
there is greater water pressure, there
will be within the near future, as new
mains are being laid and the improvements
in water distribution are being completed.
There is now flow of water on the stages
at the height of the apparatus, but 1t is
doubtful whether it would prove entirely
adequate. One of the theaters has pump
ing arrangement to increase the pressure,
and such an arrangement may be required
in all the other theaterS, in order to in
crease the pressure. If Congress had grant
ed the request of the Commissioners for
special high pressure fire protection water
service by separate mains in the heart of
the city of Washington all the theaters
would have had the benefit of it.
Provision Not Enforced.
The provision in the regulations that all
scenery, curtains, etc, shall be covered or
saturated, If practicable, with fire-resisting
materials approved by the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia has not been
enforced because no certain and practicable
method of treatment has been known The
scenery in the Washington theaters is
painted with water color and not oil, max
ing it less infammable. AS soon as any
method of treatment which is practicable
and dependable is established it's applica-
| ton TO the Washington theaters will be re-
qured.
The projections relied on principally
however, are on the ability to keep any
fire originating the stage within the
limits of the stage itself for a sufficient
time; the skylights above the stage,
which will allow flames and smoke to es-
cape, and. further, on sufficient exits pro-
vided an audience does not leave the build
ing in uncomfortable haste"
In reviewing the history of the agitation
to secure safe conditions in the local the
aters, and in setting forth what has al
ready been accomplished, the report of the
Commissioners states:
There are seven theaters in the city
the Lafayette, the National, Chase's, the
Columbia, the Academy of Music, Herman S
Lyceum and the Empire. The authority of
the Commissioners to control the issuance
of licenses and to prescribe regulations for
the construction and alteration of the the
aters given by act OF Congress ap-
proved February 20. 1892 An amendatory
act, approved March 2, 1895, required the
certificate of the inspector of buildings
that the theater complied with law and
regulations before license could be issued.
In the act approved July l, 1902, providing
for licenses to theaters, Congress directed
that the certificate of the chief officer of
the fire department should be obtained in
addition to that of the inspector of build
ings.
Regulations Adopted.
'In accordance with the first-named act
the Commissioners adopted a set of rules
and regulations. These were intended to
apply absolutely to all new or reconstructed
theaters, and, so far as possible, without
causing entire reconstruction, to existing
theaters. The records of the Office show
| that the certificate required has been given
each year before the licenses have been