Evening journal., 1908-02-07
Council Committee Recon-
mends That a New Ordi-
nance be PaSsedfo Safe
guard Buildings

The special committee appointed by
City Council to inspect places OF
amusement, apartment houses and
large buildings relative to fire escapes
and exits in case of emergency, made
report to thar body last night
Chairman Cassidy presented the re-
port which gives in detail just what
work the committee did. Beside HIM
self Messrs. Simmons and Rash were
members of the committee. The re-
port follows:
Your committee appointed to in
spect places of amusement, theatres
and apartment houses, would respect
fully submit the following report:
That your committee did, accom-
panied by the building inspector and
chief engineer Of the fire department,
inspect all such places before mention
ed. what are known as moving pic
ture places being the first visited
Those needing proper exits received
our attention. Some managers an
ticipating our visit had already made
their places secure by providing proper
means of exit. and incaslng the ap-
Daratus within freproof material. We
found one of those places which we
considered dangerous and ordered same
to be remedied at opce. The pro-
prietor said he contemplated making
such alterations and commenced a.
once to make the changes indicated by
your committee. and after such alteIa-
tions are completed, we are of the
opinion all such places can be deemed
safe. The Opera House we found to
be we'll provided with exits. also with
fire hose. which is always ready for
use. While thes tage is not provided
with a fire-proof curtain. on account
Of the construction of the building it is
doubtful If one can be used. Yet we
are of the opinion that the place can
in case of fire be emptied without loss
of life
The Garrick we found to be well pro-
vided with exits. there being two in
dependent stairways leading from each
balcony, and, If necessary, the people
occupying the second halcony can all
find room on the roof of the front
building, where there are fire escapes
leading to the ground, and the pro-
prietor informed your committee that
the house is going to undergo extensive
alterations in the summer. The stage
is well provided with a fire-proof
curtain. and has ventilation in the roof
over the stage, which can be opened in
case Of fire. This makes a draught
and would conflne tho fire to the stage
at least long enough TO empty this
house. and is a great precaution, as
fires usually start on the stage in such
places. The stage is well provided
with fire hose. always ready for use;
also fire extinguishers.
The Lyceum Theatre we cannot say
as much In favor as the two places be-
fore mentioned. yet considering the
way the building Is constructed, we
were unable to recommend any i'm
provements to the exits or fire escapes,
as at present provided. The stage Is
provided with a fire-proof curtain and
a good fire hose. always ready for use
We also inspected all apartment
houses over two stories in height, and
while the most Of them are provided
with double stairways front and back,
there are some that are not, and need
fire escapes or stair in the rear. so
that if a fire starts at one end of the
building, the occupants viii find means
of escape at the other.
The chief engineer of the fire de-
partment has authority under a statute
TO order fire escapes where needed on
this class Of buildings. ana he proposes
taking II up at once.
Your committee would recommend
that Council would without delay sup
pleme mt the present statute with en-
ordinance requiring all buildings need
ing fire escapes. and not mentioned IN
said statute. to be provided with suit
able fire escapes at once, and also that
all doors shan swing outwardly. and
that chairs or other Instructions shall
not be allowed TO be placed in the
aisles, corridors or lobbys Of any place
Of amusement, church. school. assem-
bly, halls and etc, nor shall such places
be crowded beyond their seating capa-
citv
We would further recommend that a
commission or standing committee Of
Council be created who IN conjunction
with the chief engineer Of the fire de-
02rtsgsut shall inspect annually such
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