The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-07-10
OPERA HOUSE
W AS A FIRf
TRAP
STARTLING DISCLOSURES MADE
BY THE ORPHeUM PEOPLE.
Only Miracle Prevented Heavy Tim
bers Falling or Electric Wires
Setting Fire to Structure.

]. II Garrett a representative OF
Martin Beck Of the Orphcum circuit
was in the city today looking over the
work which is being done under his
supervision at the Grand Opera house.
Mr.. Garrett tells some startling
tales regarding the condition OF the
local play house up TO the time OF com
mencins the Temodeling, and. as the
statements undoubtedly are true. the
public may well shuddeT for the con
stant danger with which it has been
menaced for many years.
The great sound board of timber
which has now been replaced by q
curved structure was found 10 be
practically unsupported, and ratters be-
ing several inches distant from the
wall which was supposed 10 receive
their ends. and what special Droyl-
dcDce prevented several tons Of tim
Der being pTeCipitated upon the heads
of those seated in the orchestra and
the entire parluet eighty feet below is
beyond the contractors CompTehen-
sion
The pin-rack along the scenery loft,
from which are tied-off the hundreds
of scenery ropes, was. according TO the
carpenters now at work in the house.
practically a wreck, only needing 4
slight push TO have sent the heavy
timbeTS huTtling on to the stage be-
low.
The greatest danger. however, was
apparently the heating system 1t is
claimed BY those who recently inspect
ed the house that the smokestack Of
the boiler was within hands breadth
of wooden joists absolutely unprotect-
ed from ignition from the hot pipes and
that the entire heating apparatus was
located directly beneath the main part
of the house where, II a fire had start
ed. the main source Of retreat would
have been almost instantly cut on
Another startling condition was
found high up on the walls of the
stage. in close proximity to the in
flammable scenery, There the insula-
tlon had been worn from the electric
wires and the wood work surrounding
was actually scorched in numberlesS
places where the wires had flashed In
TO flame.
1t is also understood that the own
erS OF the opera house carried prac-
tically no insurance upon the build
ing, one of them being quoted as hav.
ing stated that if the house burned
the owners would simply be ahead as
the proposition had never been a pay
ing one.
No great amount Of blame has been
attached to the owners OF the property
in the way OF criminal negligence. II
IS apparent that they simply took the
property as it was transferred 10 them,
supposing that structural conditions
were satisfactory. The fire inspectors.
however. have continually neglected
tneir duty in all parts ot the house. if
the statements OF Mr.. Garrett are true,
and the city's escape from holocaust
Of the magnitude Of the Iroquois thea
ter fre In Chicago is almost miracul-
Gus.
AS a result of these discoveries in
the condition of the opera house, the
owners have decided to spare no eX-
pense In remodeling the same to the
entire satisfaction and protection of
the theatre-going public of tle city,
Instead. therefore, of eXpending SEQ
600 as anticipated tle amount will ap-
proach $4,000. which viii include the
latest heating system now in use
In the leading theaters throughout the
country