Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-26

Sixth Floor.-The door to the auditors
office, which is the entrance to a fire
escape. was found to be locked. One
hundred and eight persons are employ
ed on this floor. Seven fire extinguish-
ers were distributed on this floor. Desks
are placed in front of windows on this
floor and fire escapes are blocked. Mar
row passageways lead to fire escapes.
This floor is crowded with inflam-
mable books and papers, placed on
himsy pine shelving. Partitions are
all Of wood No metal shelving what
soever has been provided.
these records consist of the accounts
of payments of the navy and are
practically a record of every man in
the service. These records, it was
stated, are of great value to the gov
eminent and could not be replaced.
THE rear fire escape of the left wall
is blocked by three tables. and there
is a radiator in front of one Of the
windows leading to this escape.
The window to the rear fire escape
covering the entire entrance and a redia.
tor. The rear fire escape on the east wall
is blocked with a desk and wooden
shelving. The aisles leading to fire
escape are blocked from the center Of
the room to the fire escape
No Signs in Hallway.
AhCio al ho Si6uS III Tic dIlWdy
indicating the way to fire escape The
indicating the way to fire escapes. The
the east wall is blocked by desks
TT is suggested that steps be placed
at all windows leading to fire escapes.
The height Of the platform OF the fire
escape from the floor is about three
feet. Smoking is permitted in the Of
fees on this floor. No directions are
placed at the fire alarm box on this
floor indicating how to use the, same.
One of the employees was directed to
discharge the fire extinguisher. and he
had no proper idea Of how to do So
THE number of fire extinguishers on
this floor tsevenl is entirely too small.
There should be at least one extinguish-
er in each room The doors leading
from the main hall into rooms through
which entrance is obtained to fire eS-
capes are provided with heavy springs,
which have q tendency to keep the
doors closed.
"Ore Of the standpipes on this floor
was tested and threw Il stream of water
about twenty feet. The linen hose at
| tached to the standpipe leaked. The nut
on the valve of the Standpipe was abb
solutely dry. and had to be frightened.
THE committee was advised that the
janitor of the building has instructions
to look after all fire appliances. and see
that they are kept In proper condition.
He is supposed to go over them once
month.
Loft Over Sixth Floor.
1.-The electric light wires in the loft are
laid on exposed boards and should be
placed In conduits, as the present regula-
lions require.
This building Is provided with one iron
stairway, feet 2 inches wide, which en-
circles the elevator shaft.
Fifth Floor.-The rear portion of the
fifth floor is occupied by rows Of shelving
filled with inflammable records, books. pa
pers. etc. The front portion is occupied
ty the public health and marine hospital
service. ,
There are five employees on this floor;
The fire escape on the west wall is blocks
ed by boxes, exc. One fire extinguisheP
was missing from its proper location.
This Office charges these fire extinguish-
| ers on this floor. The rear fire escape. on
the west wall. is completely blocked with
boxes, barrels, etc.
! This floor is practically filled with in
flammable material. including chemicals,
blankets, mattresses, wood alcohol. etc,
all of which is directly under the 1OS en-
ployes on the sixth floor
Fourth F1oor.-ThoSe occupying the
west side of this floor complain of odOrs
from the livery stable in the hot weather.
The hre-escape sign on this floor was not
placed In position until yesterday, April
23. 1911. Access to the fire escapes is
partially blocked. There are 125 en-
ployes on this floor. which is pretty we'll
filled with wooden file cases The CEN
| ter fire escape Is almost completely
blocked by desks. The rear escape on
the west wall is partially blocked by