The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-11
The FIRE QUESTION
Chief WiImarth's Position Con-
corning New School.
Says He Didn't Attempt to Close
the Building.
HE CITES THE LAW.
Provisions Also Apply to the
Theaters.
Why the Crawford Is Considered
Dangerous.
HE CITES THE LAW.


AT the last meeting of the city board
of education the matter of fire escapes
for the new manual training building
Of the Topeka high school came up for
consideration.
The matter was brought to the atten-
ton of the members of the board of ed
ucation by Fire Chief Wnmarth, and a
report of the meeting was published in
the State Journal last Tuesday.
Fire Chief Wilmarth believes that he
was held up to the public in a wrong
light in the report of that meeting be-
cause Of the mention made of his zeal
in looking after the fire escapes of the
high school building and the manner
in which he has handled the Crawford
theater matter.
Mr.. Wilmarth denies that he has is
sued an ultimatum to the board Of ed
ucation declaring that he win not per-
init the building to be opened unless
the ire escapes are provided.
Mr.. Wilmarth says that in the latter
part of last August he addressed a let
ter to the board of education, stating
that under the provisions of the Kansas
statutes passed in 1903, it was his duty
to call the attention of the board to the
establishment of fire escapes on school
buildings over three stories in height
Mr.. Wilmarth declares that the law
makes no provision for authority for
him to close the school building and he
also denies the suggestion of any at
tempt upon his part to close the build
ing.
Chief Wimarth stated that he was
aware that a number Of people were of
the opinion that he should force the
closing of the Crawford theater because
of it's unsafe condition. The chief de-
clares that in this respect also his power
is limited. He says that he can close a
building on account of diSintegrat ting
walls but not on account of unsafety
through fire causes. The latter power
he declares is vested in the city council
and mayor who in turn make known
their wishes to the head of the fire de-
partment.
For the information of the public. the
State Journal presents herewith a por-
ton of the text of the Kansas laws
passed in 1903, to which laws Fire Chief
Wilmarth has made reference.
Those who know the actual conditions
as they exist at the Crawford theater
alter mana gement has not complied
with the law.
The law which Fire Chief Wilmarth
cites plainly says that it shall be the
duty of the chief of the fire department
to visit all public buildings of the class
es enumerated in the provisions of the
law, at least once every three months,
and investigate whether the provisions
port violations of the same to the city
attorney for prosecution
The first section of the law says:
Every building now or hereafter
used in whole or in part, as a public
building, public or private institution,
schoolh ouse, church, theater, public
hall, place of assem- blage, or place OF
public resort, and every hotel, family
hotel apartment house, boarding
house, lodging house, or tenement
house three or more. stories in height,
shall within six months after the pas
sage of this act, be provided with
one or more metallic LADDERS or STAIR
fire escapes attached to the outer walls
thereof, and extending from or suit
ably near the ground to the upperTnoSt
story thereof with platforms of such
width and dimensions ana IN sucn
proximity to one or more windows of
each story above the first as to render
access to such ladders. or stairs from
each story easy and safe; the NUMBER,
location, material and construction OF
such escapes to be subject to the APP
proval of the fire marshal, CHIEF OF the
fire department, city or town marshal,
or such other authority as may nave
control of the fire regulations IN any
city or town where such buildings are
located"
The law further says: "And that all
public halls with seating room above
the first or ground story shall be pro-
vided with such number of said lad
derS or stair fire escapes as the nre
marshal, chief of fire department, city
or town marshal or such other author
ity as may have control of fire regula-
lions in any city or town where such
buildings are located may direct"
The law also says:
"IndeDendent of and in addition to
the external iron fire escapes or es-
capes that may be required by any
laws of this state upon any hotel. or
large boarding house for the accom-
notation of the public, or upon any
lodging house. tenement house. or any
building in which rooms or floors are
let to numerous families, whenever
any said building can accommodate
twenty or more individuals, and is two
or more stories in height. it shall be
the duty of said owners of all said
buildings, to provide and to cause to