Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-27
WARNS AGAINST FIRE
Suggestions to Employees in
Government Offices.
Mr.. CANTRILL's ADVICE
Chairman Of House Subcommittee
Says Halls Should Be Kept
Cleared of Distractions.

Representative Cantrill of Kentucky.
chairman of the subcommittee of the
House committee on public buildings
and grounds. which is investigating
conditions In rented government build
ings in Washington with reference to
the protection of employees and valu-
ave records from fire. today gave out
statement containing suggestions
which the subcommittee believes
should be. followed by bureau chiefs
and others In authority pending the
enactment of remedial legislation by
Congress.
Mr.. Cantrill points out that it will be
many years before all Of the govern
ment Offices now housed in rented
buildings are finally transferred to
new structures erected by the govern
ment. and suggests that present condi
tons with reference to the danger from
fire are so deplorable that officials and
subordinates in the government service
who are forced to work In these rent
ed buildings should cooperate and do
all in their power to lessen the dan
ger.
Our subcommittee of the public. build
ings and grounds committee, said Mr..
CantriIl. lis engaged In making thorough
inspection of buildings occupied by the
different departments of the government.
Under the policy of the present admins
tration only about S12.VNOU is to be
spent for public buildings in the entire
country.
1T is the policy of our committee to at
ford all protection possible and as speedily
as possible to the employees of the govern
ment in the matter of health and life.
but under most favorable circumstances
it would be years before relief could come
in all departments by the construction OF
new and suitable buildings.
From our. investigation so far 1t is
evident that there is a dcplorable con-
dition in many buildings occupied by
the government. That in many of these
buildings there is constant danger OF
loss Of records and loss Of human life
provide permanent relief it might be
we'll to offer a few suggestions, which
will temporarily lessen the grave dan
ger Of loss Of life.
Halls Should Be Clear.
The officers in charge of the various
buildings should Immediately see that
all Railways are cleared of obstruc-
lions, and that all boxes, desks and other
Instructions be removed from all fire
escape entrances. The different ap-
paratus for extinguishing fire should
be Immediately tested, and, II found de-
fective, Immediately reported. The fire
alarm system should be thoroughly
tried out to ascertain If it Is in work
ing order.
Printed cards directing the ways to fire
escapes should be posted in conspicuous
places in all Railways. Fire extinguish-
ers should be tested to ascertain II prop
erly charged. Waste paper and trash
should be gathered up and removed from
the building each day.
Regulations should be adopted as to
smoking, especially in departments where
inflammable material is used. and espe-
cially where women are employed.
these are but few matters which orr
observation shows US have been grossly
neglected.
''In buildings where a large number OF
persons are employed the employees should
organize for their own protection from
fire by the formation Of companies in each
building OF on each floor. By fire drills
and by a careful spirit Of cooperation
along this line by the selection Of certain
persons to direct the movements OF en-
ployes in case Of emergency and by each
one doing all in his power to reduce the
danger Of fire much good can be accom-
plished.
This committee will do all in its power
to provide safe quarters in which govern
ment employees can work, but until this
can be accomplished reforms along the
line indicated above will be OF great
benefit"