The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-31
JEROME .HGMMBRSTEN WAR.
BUILDING BUREAU. BACKS JER.
OME-OSCAR APPEALS TO MAYOR.


sayS he VIII invite the Aldermen - the
Lew Fields Theatre and Build . IRE
on the stage-JeFOme May subpGnA
Hopper Before the Grand Jury.
District Attorney Jerome received from
the Building Bureau yesterday it's report
on the report Of Henry De B. Parsons 10
Mr. Jerome that Oscar Hammersteins
Lew Fislds's Theatre In West Forty-sscond
street violates the law In twenty-five specific
instances.
Oscar says he will build FIRE on the stage
IN the presence Of the Board Of Aldermen
and show EN- that the theatre won't burn
with his fire extmguishers at work. Mean
time he has written TO the Mayor asking
him 10 order an investigation.
The report OF the Building Bureau, which
Inc rd-s a repo Of Chief Engineer Miller,
confirms Mr., Parsons's report in practically
every particular In addition, the inspect
ors Of the Building Bureau state that since
the plans for tho theatre were finally ap-
proved the law has been violated in seven
specific instances and Mr.. Hammerstein
was 80 notified.
Mr.. Jerome took the Building Bureaus
report 20 his home at Lakeville, Conn,
yesterday. On Monday he will write a
letter to Supt. Hopper asking him why he
allowed the theatre 10 open and certified
its application for license.
II Mr.. Hopper does not explain satisfao-
torily II is Mr.. Jerome's intention to sub
p0na him before the Grand Jury. Mr..
Jerome doesn't intend to stop with the
Fields Theatre. He has been notified that
q committee Of architects has been appointed
to cooperate with him.
These are some Of the things the In
sPectors report as violations at the Fields
Every exit in balcony and gallery partly
obstructed by aisle steps the steps not con-
strHcted az shown on approved pl ans 40
The passages at rear balcony aud gallery
pot OF dimensions shown on approved plans.
being feet inches At centre Of the gallery
instead OF feet, as on approved plans; and
instead Of feet inches, as IA the approved
plans. Very recently balcony space further
encroaehed upon by the installation OF steam
basement dressing rooms not separated
from stage by IRE wall exits either by stairs
csniun vail. and theSCe by stairs to the east
court or out OF the yind9ys into narrow
BY an iron ladder TO the emergency court OF
the American Theatre adjoining. In order
70 get into the emergency court II IL hrst
necessary 20 get over an iron fence.
Hot air reEisters in the floor Of the auditor
lum. These were overlooked at the time tho
theatre was opened because they were covered
over with cloths and building paper spread
over the floor.
yestbule doors. Stsirwsys leading 70 the
basement not enclosed and particularly |
dan ReTOus iu case Of a rush,
Oscar Hammerstetn was served yesterday |
afternoon with the notice Of the twenty !
two violations. Gripping the notification !
papers IN his right hand he paced the floor !
Of the Victoria Theatre and for few min
utes he was unable to speak. When he |
had partly Gained himself, Mr.. Hammer |
stein said:
'I'm going 70 settle this whole question |
~ soon as Lew Fields closes his season. 2 !
will pie two tons OF mfiammable scenery /
and other material on the stage and then |
set FIRE 10 u. Before doing this will have |
invited the officials OF the Building, Fire |
and Health departments, the Mayor and |
the Board Of Aldermen to occupy seats.
VIII furnish themswith rubber coats. When
the IRE has got good start will cut loose
my FIRE extinguishers and put the IRE out in I
the tWinking Of Aneys-
my thsatTe Is safe in fact safer than
most and will fight 10 the last ditch They
can't csose the house and must bring suit
against ms. The Mayor is the only one
that has power to revoke my license and
cloas the house. II any one IA in the hole,
Il y Chisf Engineer Miller, who inspected
the theatre, and not l.
Last night Oscar wrote to Mayor Mcclellan
For some time past the District Attorney
Of this city. W, 7. Jerome has untruthfuliy, !
unsorupulously and In brutaly 1Ippsnt
manner assailed the safety Of the Fields 4
Theatre, Of which am the owner.
As long as his almost insane haranEue !
was unaccOmpanied by any substantial |
proof on the part Of the proper authorities,
treated his attitude as being more OF a per
sOnal matter than otheTVlse.
To-day in the press he repeats his ahe-
cations under cover OF a long list OF allie ged
Violations furnished him by the Building De-
kSs only been obtained by him by trick,
device and intimidation. In this list Ia mass
Of prevaFiCations and suhteTfuRe, a cowardly |
attempt on the part Of the Building Depart
/ have erected the Fields Theatre without
the deviation OF an inch from the plans and
epechoati filed and accepted. Al the
time OF my application for a license. / was
Inspector Of buildings, only but personally
demanded an inspection by the chief Of the
department Mr. Miller After the first visit
he suggested some alterations OF minor i'm
second inspection he declared the structure
60 be In compliance with all laws. rules and
feRulauoha, and his letter TO that effect was
filed with The Commissioner Of Police and,
] now ask for immediate investi CATION Of
this matter by you
don't propose 20 be made the advertising
medium OF harlequin Of a District Attorney,
nor the sCapegoat OF o decompOsed Building
DEPARTMENT, not alone ask for personal
Investigation by you, but also for a public
one. assisted by committee OF unofficial
architects. citizens and newspaper men.
ORPHANS DAY At THE CIRCUS.
Mr. UnTi,V Will Give His Annual Treat 10