Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1908-10-02
CITY SOL0NS
DELIBERATE
Does Grand Opera House Possess Sufficient
Fire Protection? Is the Question
Raised. Aldermen Get Warm.

Council meeting was held Mon
day evening in the city hall. May
or Martin occupied the chair, and
those present were Aldermen Ry-
;alls, Rainey, Luck, Hawley, Kre-
ger, Pritchard and Nelson. Alder
man Sheldon was absent.
The minutes of the last meeting
were duly read and approved.
THE FIRE BUG
The only thing of real exciting
interest arose on the report of the
committee which was appointed at
the last meeting to look over the
theatres of the city with a aview
to examining into their lack or
otherwise of fire protection. Al
derman Luck as chairman of the
committee reported that he consid-
cred the Goss was pretty we'll
equipped in the matter of exits,
far better than the Grand, which
he considered quite unsafe. The
fire escapes in the Grand were
altogether inadequate and very
difficult to get at, and in case
of a sudden rush, useless. The
discussion following upon this re-
port gave the council an opportuni
ty to express themselves, which
they did very forcibly. Alderman
Ryalls thot it was a areg1lar death
trap. Alderman Nelson considered
the danger was SO great from pos
sible fire that the house should not
be allowed to run, with which
Alderman Luck emphatically
agreed. Alderman Pritchard sug-
gested that it was up to the build
ing inspector to draw up plans to
put the building in such shape as
would satisfy the council Of its
complete fire protection. Aid.
Hawley considered that something
should be done at once, and notice
given to the owners Of the house
so that they could make the neces-
sary arrangements. The discus
sion brot out various phases of the
subject, but the general opinion OF
the council was that the opera
house was lacking in thoro fire pro.
lection. AS result Of the discus
sion the mayor instructed the
building inspector to meet with
the committee and confer with the
opera house management with ;
view to making plans to remed.
the matters so as to provide better
protection for the public in cas-
of fire. This is how the matte
stands.
THE GRAND
An adjourned meeting of tn
> council was held Tuesday evenin
to consider the matter of fire pro
lection in the Grand opera house
Earlier in the day the committe
thoroly examined the opera hous
and presented their findings at th
! council meeting in the evening
Following are the changes deeme
necessary: the putting up Of sigr
]. showing location Of exits, the fiji
ing Of windows at fire escapes s
that an easy exit can be made, th
removal of seats to widen aisle
where necessary, removal Of tE
electric sign over main ext, ne
fire escape on south side leading
balcony box. placing asbestos cove.
ing underneath the main stairwa.
placing of lights over all exit
and minor other changes, all
which will be done just as soon
possible. Aid. Luck speaking
the Goss said the committee th
there should be better fire prote
ton on the stage, and that in the
{ opinion no more shows should !
held until this had been attend,
to.
WATCH EN-
Alderman Paritchard thot the ci
engineer should watch the puttil
ii of cement crossings and wal
now that winter seems to be
close at hand, as there was dang
Of defective work being put in Al
er frost commenced unless ca
was taken.