New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
DETAILS EXTRA FIREMEN.
SOvE THEATRES UNSAFE.
Commissioner Hayes WouId Close
Certain Places Of amusement.

,.na theatres Of this city, begun three days ago
- ,be new Fire Commissioners, Nicholas J.
-+,es for the protection Of the public from
.,cb a calamity as befei1 the audience in the
Troouois Theatre. Chicago, Battalion Chief Leni-
ssn reported yesterday that number Of thea
-os are not entirely safe for audiences. Two
sreroen were detailed to attend every perform
orce at each OF the following theatres: The
casino. the Bijou. Days. Belasco's. Weber &
TNeids's the Metropolitan Opera House. the
princess and the Manhattan. IN Broadway; the
rhalia, in the Bowery: Tony Pastors, the Olym-
pic and Hurtig & Seanlon's,
soon after Battalion CHIEF Lenihan's report
was received by Commissioner Hayes he sent
The following letter 10 the Mayor:
There is. now going on in his department by my
investigatou OF the conditions existing in the Vari
possible safeguard 10 life and property may be
adopted md, however that very much better
city departments which have divided authority over
enforcement OF the present regulations ard the
recommendation OF such measures as may be found
Curity about the lives os our theatre-gons public
therefore have n. % %h9Hor 10 Te9Sest mat yGG y
rs share In The responsibility for the theatre build
ings and / venture TO express the hope that the
harmonious action which can then be assured Will
be a vast benefit 10 the pubic.
made ! have directed that fi-emeu, instead OF
performance. also suggest thai YOU direct the
Commissioner % Police To place twc patromen. In
~ e2eT Pl'''' pom
TO CONFER WITH THE MAYOR TO-DAY.
Mayor Mcclellan declined TO make any com
rnent on the letter until to-day. when he viii
have a conference with Commissioner Hayes
at the City Hall.
COMMISSIONS Hayes ordered Acting Fire
Chief Kruger 10 detail two uniformed firemen
TO each Of the theatres named at each perform
ance. The order went into effect last night.
The commissioner was asked IL there We're any
OF these theatres he considered unnsafe.
Yes" was the reply there are lot of
upstairs theatres. which I feel ought to be
closed"
About how many there" asked.
A dozen. That is, dozen in Manhattan"
"Will you close these theatres?'
Now you may think I am trying 10 evada
this matter, but am not, I have no authority
TO close them. The furthest I go is TO
ask the Commissioner Of Police 20 revoke the
permits. I have examined the situation very
carefully and find that am almost powerless.
owing TO a conflict Of authority. In the fra
place the Buildings Department has some au-
thority; the Police Department has some. and
the Fire Department has a little"
What do you intend doing?"
What I intend doing, if possible, is 10 call
a conference Of the Police Commissioner, the
Mayor. the President of the Borough Of Man
haitian, the Superintendent of Buildings, the
Health Commissioner and myself We will
come together TO decide on some united or
concentrated lire Of action"
NO TESTS OF CURTAINS.
Have any men made fire tests Of the asbestos
curtains?'' the Commissioner was asked.
Il know of made. I do not think I have
the authority to make them
The Commissioner said that a strenuous ef-
fort would be made TO close theatres that were
rot in condition such he thought the safety
OF the public demanded.
At a meeting OF the Board Of Aldermen yes
terday resolution by Alderman Mccall to have
TWO fremen stationed in each theatre was re-
ferred TO the Committee on Buildings for action
A resolution was also introduced by Alderman
Mccall. extending the sympathy of the board
10 those who suffered through the loss Of rela-
tives as result Of the theatre fire IN Chicago
and directing that a copy OF the resolution be
forwarded 10 Mayor Harrison Of Chicago. The
resolution was adopted
District Attorney jerome said yesterday after
noon' in reply 10 a question as TO whether he in
tended to prosecute any of the theatrical man
ayers Of the city for violations of the safety
laws, that he had received no complaints Vet on
the subject, and was consequently not in a posi-
ton to act. He said that l. had been brought to
his notice that many Of the theatres in the city
did not have asbestos curtains and other safety
devices, and he believed that many Of these
theatres were managed in violf tior OF the rules
Of the Health. Fire and Building departments.
Therefore, said he. the officers of these depart
nents could be prosecuted on complaints OF neg
lect 10 enforce the rules. This, he thought.
would be an unsatisfactory metAod. as il would
entail the necessity If proving wilfui neglect on
the part Of these officials. which would be diff
cult
The District Attorney said however, that ac-
ton might be brought against theatres ViOlatir ;
the laws on the ground that they were public
nuisanCes and as such dangerous 10 the public
morals, health or safety. IF some one viii for
lnulate such complaints against any theatre TO
ne. said Mr.. Jerome, 4 will see that they are
properly investigated. and prosecuted if TIE evil
aenoe required Is forthcoming. The whole mat
Ter Is cne when should be very carefully con-
sicered, ard ] am ready 10 do everything in the
power o. ny office toward invest igation Of
present conditions IA tha theatres IA this city
ana 70 make prosecutions should evidence re
presented 10 me tha: would justify cIch action"
IN