Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-11-29
Will WE HEEp ON FoReEr2

WILL WE HEED OR FORGET?
1t is well that the authorities have
taken steps to at once fix the blame
for the fire which destroyed the
factory building in Newark and
wiped u so many lives. But all
the investigation in the world and
even the punishment of the guilty
parties, if there r any, cannot re-
store the loved ones who were the
victims. What are We going to do
about it?
We well remember the holocaust
at an entertainment in Boytertown,
Pa, where scores of children
were trapped in a hall ON the second
floor of a building, the only entrance
to which was a single narrow stair
way. There was the %Iroquois theatre
fire in Chicago and another in a
moving picture theatre, the school
house that burned, and perhaps worst
of all the burning Of the excursion
steamer General Slocum. After all
of these coniagrattons there were
great activities in all sections to see
that nothing of the kind could hap
pen elsewhere. Then gradually the
matter was forgotten and we return
ed to our old habits again until some
thing new breaks out, Just as oc-
in Newark Saturday.
What are We going to do about it?
Perth Amboy has no building inspec-
tor. Why, we do not know. The
has been urged often enough,
but something seems to stand in the
way. This is a great manufactur-
ing city. How many death traps ex-
list here?
A short time ago tbs. EVENING
told of the organization of a
fire drill in one of the local factories
employing a large number Of girls.
A fire company was also organized.
This is a good beginning, It is cred
table to the concern that it was
without any such incentive
as the Newark catastrophe. There
should be more of these safe guards.
lust to remind the, public of the, re-
luirements of the law in disregard
We quote it as follows;
Every factory, workshop, mill or
place where the manufacture of
goods of any kind is carried onJwhich
is three or more stories in height
and In which twenty-five or more
operatives shall be at work on or
above the third floor, shall be pro-
vided with outside fire escapes.
THE fire escapes shall be located
1t such places on the said buildings
as may be best suited for the pur-
pose intended OF al the (labor) COM
missioner shall designate in writing,
ind shall take In one or more win-l
lows on each floor above the first
ioor.
The FIRE escapes shall consist OF
iron balconies and Stair
ways at each floor above the first
connecting said balconies to the
ground.
''The balconies shall not be less
than three feet ms width, taking in, !
at each story above the ground floor,
he building separated by inside
walls, in which twenty-five OF more
operatives are at work.
There shall be a landing not less
than t~wenty-four inches square at
the head and foot of each stairway;
the stairway opening on each plat
form shall be of a size sufficient to
provide clear headway.
THE windows or openings upon
each balcony shall be or easy !
and sufficiently large to per-
NIT easy passage through them, and
be kept unobstructed.
Where the top of the window sill
Is more than two feet above thehoor
Of the building, inside steps shall
be provided.
THE (labor) commissioner shall
have the power to make and have
an order in writing upon any
owner or owners Of any building
coming under the provision of this
act. ordering y y that a fire escape
already erected shall be changed and
altered in such as he shall
in such order designate"