The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-08
Only Hitch Is on the Asbestos
Curtain Matter.
STAIRWAYS CAN WAIT.
Final Time Limit on All I'M
. prOvements, Sept. 1, 1906.
Work of Reconstruction Has
Already Been Started.

so soon as the wing walls of the
proscenium arch of the Grand have
been partially rebuilt and made fire.
proof and an asbestos curtain hung
the public buildings committee of the
council viii permit L. M. Crawford to
open the theater to the public
The committee together with City
Engineer James McCabe and Fire Mar
shall G. o. Wilmarth visited the
Grand Tuesday afternoon, and ex-
amined the structure in company with
Roy Crawford, the local manager. The
committee asked Mr.. Crawford what
his plans were for the purchase of an
asbestos curtain, but the latter did not
return any definite answer, saying that
the opening of the Grand would have
were purchased.
The improvements which are con-
templated by the management have
already been explained. They do not
meet all the requirements of the spe-
cial committee appointed in January
of last year to report upon the condi-
ton of the Grand.
After meeting and making the in
spection the committee decided upon
the following recommendation for i'm
provements which must be completed
before the Grand can be opened:
duce the same to less than three feet
are to be removed
'rWing walls be rebuilt where cor
rugated iron exists, the corrugated
iron being replaced by brick or fire.
ssAn ASBESTOS curtain be placed in
position: foundation of brick be placed
under the stage and an iron pase on
the same be erected for the asbestos
cur i.estarfa ss1lli, iron 7reproof doors be
hung at all openings through the
dividing wall which separates the
stage from the main audience room
chemical fire. extingulshers pc
placed in position at various points
over the house.
1.-THE exits be plainly marked N ali
instances and red electric light globes
be placed at each exit
s'-rlae east end the SalisFS pe
closed permanently. This relates to
that portion above the east line OF
stairway to gallery
The other changes which were in
cfuded in the original report aud
which are recommended by the public
buildings committee are to be com
DIeted by September I, 1906 THESE
items relate to the reconstruction of
the stairWayS leading to the gallery
These stairways on the north ana
south side of gallery leading TO the
exit doors must be continuous to
back of seat rows; the rear row of
seats be taken out.
Fire shutters must be placed on all
doors and windows leading to fire
escapes, ladders and platforms
Sprinkler equipment must be IN
stalled in the rear of the building on
the stage, and finally that the electric
rewiring of the house must be COM
Melted to the satisfaction of Charles
Eldridge, manager of the Kansas IN
spection bureau for the fire under
writer's.
Mr.. Crawford in addition to tear
ing out the entrance platform which
was condemned has agreed to con-
form with a number of recommends
tions already. This includes the re-
building of the outside platforms and
stairways, which is already now in
progress. the construction of new
dressing rooms which are to be given
a treatment with fireproof paint, and
the installation of new boiler.
New Seats and Scenery.
A number of other improvements
which are not exactly in line of making
the Grand fire proof but which yet
tend to make it modern and up-to-date
are being planned by the management.
This includes the purchase of new seats,
scenery and other Furnishings
An agreement which will embody the
features which have been marked out
by the building committee is being
drawn up by City Attorney DFenning.
Mr. Crawford will sign this agreement
assuring the city the house will be
made fire proof along these lines before
the Grand will be allowed to be opened
The city is growing rapidly said
Fire Marshal Wilmarth, who has been
Instructed to enforce the findings Of the
committee and to superintend the work,
and there is no reason why the peo-
ole in this city should not be insured as
perfect fire protection as is furnished in
theaters in other cities We certainly
hold our lives as valuable. The matter
of lives is more important than opening
the Grand on time"
Altogether the Topeka public is about
to have an opera house in which it will
take some pride and comfort.
pEMnI THpERTENEn