The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-07
LAW IS VIOLATED
At Entertainment
Fire Chief Orders Crowd to
Withdraw From High
School
FINDS MANY PERSONS
STANDING IN AlSLES
Torches on Caps of Youths
Playing Miners Are Extin-
guished-Beck Wants to
Arrest Somebody

While the musical concert of the
city district schools was in progress in
the auditorium of john Marshall High
School Friday night Fire Chief Joynes
suddenly appeared ON the scene. and
finding the rear aisles and vestibule
crowded ordered that all persons stand
ing be requested to withdraw.
This was done very quietly, as the
chief feared that confusion anu excite
ment might otherwise result. One OF
the school officials made the request
from the platform In accordance with
his directions and In a short while
everything was proceeding in regular
order.
Notified by Phone.
1t was soon after O'Clock when the
chief got word over tbs phone from
the firm alarm office that the nigh
school auditorium was crowded, in vto-
lation oi the law prohibiting persons
from STANDING In "a theaLer or other
public places during q performance
Accompanied by several members of
his department., he hurried To the
school anu there found several 3 iIce-
men who had likewise responded TO
special orders.
before leaving. Chief Joynes ascer
tanned that a number OF boys in the
concert would apear In the role OF
youthful miners with lighted candles IN
their caps and other equipment. lie
agreed 10 let the boys appear on the
stage, but as soon as they Withdrew his
tiremeu turned their extinguishes on
the candles and snuffed them out.
Must Rave Gas Light.
During nls visit 10 tae building.
Chief Joynes also ascertained that i,
was equipped only with electric lights.
although the Law requires that in
places where entertainments and
shows are given o.. night gas lights
shall also be available in order II
prevent a stampede or panic in the
event the audience should become ex-
cited If the electric lights go out SUD
denly for one reason or another. The
attention Of the proper authorities
viii be called TO the matter, Chief
Joynes says,
When ne learned of the high school
/ incident. Saturday morning through
| Chief Joynes. Building Inspector
! Beck consulted with Police Chief
Werner as to the adyisabiii1y Of swear
out warrant against persons re-
sponsihle for violation of the law
I &AAASt 6biHtA, QShGltN LilS
/ wisdom OF such a course. as ii was
not clear who should be held respon-
( sibie.
Mr.. Beck stated later that in his
| opinion the school authorities and
! perhaps Janitor Marin were respon-
| sible.
| Hin Not Worried
Superintendent Chandler OF tbs
! city public schools was not in his Of
! fee when IL statement from him WA
sought Assistant Superintendent Hill
/. sasta that every thing passed. off very
/ nicely and he seemed 20 attach very
| little Importance to the visit Of tbs
! fire chief.
| The concert. Mr.. Hill said, was d
| decided success. The solos, duets ano
| choral singing in one. two. and three
! parts were well appiauded. and there
were several instrumental selection.
! by pupils. although this class OF mu.
sic is not taught in the schools. ..,,.<..
! Aside from these forced to with
draw from the aisies and vestibule, Il
bis estimated that several hundred
! other persons were unable to gain en-.
! trance.