The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-22
MORE PROTECTION
FOR CITY SCHOOLS
Fire Escapes. 1Fireproof Stairs and
Steam Heat Instead OF Stoves
Hereafter.
BECK 4 MAKES EXAMINATION
Board Securing Estimates for linz
provements-Co Conditions at
City Home.
BECK Z MAKES EXAMINATION
Board Securing Estimates for In

provements-C Condition at
City Home.
Acting in accordance with recommen-
dations from Building Inspector Beck.
the City School Board is at work on
plans to protect the various school
structures more thoroughly against fire.
Estimates will be secured from con-
tractors and others, and Council will
be urged to appropriate the necessary
amount of money without waiting for
the next budget. The sum OF $1,000 is
now available for kirker- Bender fire
escape at the High School, which will
be installed as soon as the contracts
can be made.
Conditions Not Alarming.
Although of the opinion that steps
Should be taken to make the school
buildings more secure, Inspector Beck
does not believe that the conditions are
such as to cause apprehension or alarm
to the parents OF pupils.
Some time ago, in conference with
Mayor Mccarthy. 1t was decided to
make thorough examination, the re-
suit being detailed report which was
II
transmitted to the Board
In all school buildings of two stories
or more fire escapes will be provided.
Steps will be made fireproof. and IL
the necessary appropriation Is obtained
from Council the use of stoves will lie
discontinued and steam heating appara-
tus will be put in.
Inspector Beck has personally inves-
tigated conditions at the following
places. making a detailed report In
e:ch case: Elba. Central, Leigh, Chin
borazo. Springfield. East End. Fair
mount, Nicholas, West End, Madison.
Sidney, Marshall, Valley. Normal, Oak
wood Thirty-fourth, New Town. Mon
! roc. Moore, Baker and Navy Fill.
City Home In Bad Shape.
Attention has already been called to
the investigation at the City Home
Inspector Reck's. report as to the con-
dition of that structure was as follows:
Fearful of Fire Stampede.
II have made an examination Of the build
tnE known as the City Home. at the north
end Of Third Street and beg to submit tho
following; 10 report as to some Necessary altera-
ttns whlcb regard as essential to tine
safety OF the inmates In portions Of this
flight of six-foot wide steps at the extreme
ono wing OF which Is occupied by, the old
I'm the event of fire, stampede. or other
confusion near the main body Of the build
@ e Of for
these wings is by means Of q four-foot flight
81 %,, step. right against the main stem Of tho
would undoubtedly be overcrowied By the
inmates frsm the adjoining part OF the
5nihInE. and as these inmates would I'M
old men and women in the extreme north
erh parts Of these wings would be the last
Need Wider Steps.
In addition to these two now 1lghts OF
Ups on the northern end OF tho porches
BETWEEN the first and second floors. all other
Wiaened to at least Six feet, as we'll as til
steps I%, leading into the basement.
TIE outside porches believe the safety OF
the ..,i nmatcs will be greatly Increased. :
r. ~ ne ,nakery TOR this Institution Is located
1G ,e ~ and the bake-oyen directly under the
t nSn ~ o. steps west Of the Office leading from
that the steps and floor Immediately over
!: the bake-oyen be freproofed and conc reted
Or In lieu thereof. that the bake-oven b.
II the building. and certainly away from any
main tight of steps unless these steps are
hreproofed. Is =
J No Ftre-FlkhtlnS Apparatus
seems
: the usual fire protection that should prevail
i,oye eyer been IN the building, nor L thor,
my my. other means Of aghtink IRE In ITS Incl.
t department.
!. "As there !, = steam plant in this build.
ing: suggest that a tiro pump with three.
Y ,hrouxhont tic building With vi lie neess.a1!
as 1t may be tho means OF preventing dis
astroIS conflagration. This plant comlt
p aInal p be Installed for $4,000, and It
suitable number Of hand extjnEllshers b.
hp s4 g. dan and placed In the building thu
b. 1ed
. The new building Intended for use AZ
rolored almshouse seems to be well arrange,
safety OF Its occupants, but i1susgest that ),
aa. loot Hight OF steps be erected from tn
dss Of II. t ses
KS elevator shaft are formed by stud par
aI'i'on , the remaining two side. being brick
'Au IoMr aides should have been brick."
4 ChnnEen at Academy OF Music ~
J Some important changes Will be mad
2 at the Academy Of Music III line will
= suggestions from the Board OF Publ,
: Safety. There will be anew flight O.
. stairs from the balcony, so that thu
3 audience from that part of the housl
. may reach the street without runnin;
y into the crowds leaving the orchestrs
: section This planS will offer a n1ucl
: hotter means Of exit and will mate
i rally add to the element of safety.
: May Name Polteaux.
: Policeman Polteaux will probably be des
y ignated this week by Major Werner aA.th
Z. hpecinl officer provided for under. the Ellie
? o, dinance to look after all incbrlates = =
= ordinances provides for a continuance OF ~
first case agalnst,S u man charged VIII
. drunkenness. in order that he may nav
III Tine In which q a EinNAStlEQtlOn. Q