The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-06
Urges City Council to Provide
Fire-Escape Without
Moments Delay.
DANGER CONSTANT, He SAYS
Wants Kirker-Bender Arrange
ment, Into Which Hun
dreds Can Jump.

Though admitting that there is no
ground for excitement at the moment,
Mayor Mccarthy, in a special message
to the Common Council last night,
strongly urged an immediate appropri-
alton to provide proper fire escapes for
the High School building. With 500
children in attendance he said that "a
serious and fatal panic might be ere
ated in the building by the slightest
combustion of smoke-pr producing mate
rial. or by q fire so small as to cause
only triling damage to the building
itself"
He suggested that the structure be
equipped with KirkerBender fire
escape, into which hundreds of children
can jump together without the least
possibility of danger to one. In APP
pearance. this apparatus is much like
an ordinary d-pipe, the ride down
being such a delightful experience that
in many schools the more proficient
pupils are permitted to leave by that
route.
Urges Prompt Action.
The Mayors letter follows;
~ deem IL my duty TO ask for nm
Immediate appropriation, without ref
erencc for committee consideration, Of
Two thousand dollars tS., O0O.0O), or
80 much thereof may be necessary,
Tor the erection of two kirEer-Bender
circuit of gravity fire escapes mt the
Richmond High School.
..There Is no necessity for any ex-
citemcnt at this school because of this
rccomm endutiOn, as every reasonable
precaution Is taken for the safety Of
the children there, but recent expert
ences in other cities demonstrate the
possibility of n catastrophe In any such
building whenever, for any reason, n
manic seizcs the children. Our High
School il of ordinary interior wooden
construction, and Is crowded TO nn cA-
tent which is almost criminal, us there
arc now daily In that building about
nine hundred children.
"a serious and fatal panic might he
created In II building of this sort, so
crowded with children, by the slight
est combustion of smokc-producinis
material, or by fire SO small as TO
cause only trihing damage to the
building itself. Surely, In such case
rs this, prevention Is the sensible
Use 1t for Amusement.
srThe apparatus herein recommended
ls so constructed TINT 1t can be used
constantly for the amusement of the
children without the slightest danger
10 them, and when erected the children
shouio bc aug III community " Use II
go rs TO fly naturally, in ease of alarm,
TO the escape, aud be carried instantly
20 safety.
'.In the event that the use of the
present building should be abandoned,
these valuable safety appliances could
be readily transferred to some other
building without injury.
~ trust that this communication mny
result in immediate action, In order TINT
nIl of NV who are in authority muy fee.
and the public believe, that everythin :
within reason has been done for ths
Safety of the children intrusteG to the
care of the School Board. am nu.
ehorized to say that this recommended.
ton has the cordial Enforcement of TIL,
president of the School Board OF thi.
city
VIII Report Next Week.
The sum of $1,000 will be required
Mr.. Lynch thought that every schoo
Should be similarly equipped Mr.. L
y. Richardson. who introduced the mo
tion said that there was pressing nee
of 1t at the High School.
The communication was sent to tn
Finance Committee, with instruction
10 report TO the Board of Aldermen o
Tuesday night.