New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-23
TO INSPECT THEATRES.
Buildings Department Acts ON Re
port to Jerome.

John L. Jordan, deputy superintendent Of build
ings, and Chief Inspector Bernard German, of the
Buildings Bureau. said yesterday that they had
ordered inspectors to make an investigation and
report on the assertions made by H De B. Parsons.
who has informed District Attorney Jerome that
he has reason to believe there twenty-five v1o-
lations Of the building laws in Lew Fieldss Thea
ire owned by Oscar Hanlmerstetn.
"As Mr.. Jeromes letter addressed to Su-
perintendent Hopper personally, I cannot discuss
It." said Mr.. German. Mr.. Hopper win be home
on Friday and he will make any reply he may
think proper"
The alleged violations In the construction of the
new place Of amusement prompted an investigation
mission. a body created Immediately following the
Of Br walter Bense Of the Health Department;
Battalion Chief Begin OF the Flre HeRaTit1mnenI'
Dr. Bensel said yesterday:
THE commission, has been working efficiently
since its appointment We have tried to a6-
complsh the desired results without causing Tn o
have nothing to do with new theatres, as we as-
sumo that the Buildings Fire and Police depart
ton 81 T the b1iidng laws to open Our work had
co with old theatres built accoTdlng 70 tae laws we
have not conformed to the amended butioing L aIlo
tbeatres were altered to make them safe We have
had less trouble with various owners, , DIe
to our requests. In some cases changes would Do
and we would have TO make SECOND OF thlI q re-
quest. In case so far as renleIlper is nc
bPRn a refusal
.oT-HEATREs NOT ABSOLUTELY SAFE"
Health Commissioner Darlington issued a state
yoent last night IN which he said that the theatres
~ Nev-Yorlx City are reasonably SAFE" but ut
would be rnanifestly absurd to state that all OF
the theatres the city OF New-York are aosouuely
safe" The statement was issued OWING 10 the
structures of District Attorney Jerome and others
on the theatres OF the CITY DF. OaTlniE'oh says
among other things:
The object of the theatre committee was never
aft any time to render non-freproof theatres fire.
proof; the object was TO provide in such non-nre,
proof theatres such reasonable means or exit and
other provisions for safety that the audience could
Under the provisions of Section 1o9 Of the Build
ing Code any theatre erected at the present time
If it strictly complies with these provisions can be
said to be reasonably safe; ~- .hou, = 49,,
F1elds's Theatre. since the organization OF the
These licenses fr6n tbe
superintendent OF buildings an unequlvoca1 state,
It would, therefore be manifestly unnecessary for
the theatre committee to make examinations or
| recommendations or orders on theatres erected
under the Pr2ySng Of he e% Il sTtB Be5 d nave
been removed such as may recur at any time.
| maintained to prevent such recurrence
Seven hundred and thlrty-nine items OF orders
With Of TIE thirty-six renaining half are items
referring the Encouragement OF seats to CONFORM
| strictly to the law
! Oscar Hammerstein wrote a new letter to Dis
| trict Attorney Jerome yesterday. repeating some
unpr1ntable attacks which he had written in for
rer letter and conveying this curious invitation &c
| Mr. Jerome to make another visit to Lew F1elds's
1 Theatre in 42d-st-:
You saw there are twenty-five doors which open
| ,nIverdlyy' instead of outwardy. Come up and see
! assure you that you will go out through every
one of them in turn, hitting only the high places
propelled by my iusty No II bootl Please call and
/ paw Us a visit without fan. Mr. Jerome
He admitted that there were~hot air registers in
/ the auditorium floor.
| 4 he. M on Han
rnersteins statements further than to say; IF II
is true that registers in ths floors OF the
auditoriums of theatres. they should be taken Out
at once They are contrary 10 law"