Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23

understood that the asbestos curtain IS
actually freproof. and is tested by the
fire department before it is put into place.
Advice to the Public.
Hence, they will not burn here, as have
the alleged asbestos fireproof curtains In
other theaters in other cities in fires that
have occurred. Our automatic skynghts
would roll and open. and II the slip-knot.
which is also tested daily to see that II
will slip. failed to let go. the rope holdlng
the skylight is of such diameter thas IL
can instantly be cut or broken. with
these two pieces of fire apparatus In per-
feet working order. as they are mere.
though in some theater fires in other cities
the curtain has failed 10 come down al
the critical moment. the possibilities OF
stage fire in a theater are reduced one
half.
"Our f1remen go on duty at the theater
at 1880 in the evening. Every single exit
and all of the exit lights are examined and
tested in detail. both In front and the rear
OF the house. and then all Of the facilities
Of fire prevention and extinction which l
have described to you on the stage are
taken up one after the other and separately
and carefully tested-there Is nothing left
untouched. overlooked or taken for granted
and the same rule holds true at the natl
nee performances. Furthermore each fire.
man Is obliged to report at once his pres
ence in the theater to his company's house.
and II they do not receive such a report at
the time due therefore. another man Is
Immediately dispatched in his place. so we
not only have a check system upon every
piece of fire apparatus and theater appli-
ance in every theater in Washington, to
che smallest detail every day. but upon our
own men as well.
Cooperation Of Managers.
THE great trouble in theater fires is the
terrible fear which seizes a congregation
in most any kind of an Enclosure and the
resultant panic and stampede. The audi
ences in Washington theaters may feel a
greater security If they will only bear In
mind the facts I am giving you, and also
remember that in the front OF the house
the ushers are likewise given certain exits
to throw open In the event of an alarm OF
fire. and that they. too. are trained In their
duties And these exits are likewise In
spected by our men. both at their point OF
egress. we'll as on the outside OF the
buildings.
In the event of fire the audience should
remain calm as the occasion admits. and
the strong cool-headed men therein should
show their strength by sensible actions
which will have tendency to aliay the
fears of the more nervous among their
sex and among the ladies and children
One or two cool and brave men in this
emergency can accomplish wonders in con-
| trolling the timid by setting an example
! This will largely tend to prevent the har-
| rowing instances Of stampeding and the
| trampng under foot. which usually In
| theater fires cause a heavier percentage
| of loss of life than the flames.
| and as an additional precaution. every
| theater in the city Is regularly inspected
twice week by the fire marshal. and three
| of four times a month L myself make per
sonal inspections. So far the managers
| of the theaters are concerned. they are en-
| titled to a word of praise. In all in
| stances they have more than met the de-
| partment half way in our suggestions anG
n tone nd hat Shn nv
eral expenditures every desire to take al
| the precautions that they can to prevent
| fires In their houses and to protect theil
| audiences. This combination of effor
means all that human skill. experience anC
| money can accomplish has been performed
| in the theaters In this city,