East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-03-27

New York, March 27.-This after
noon 143 are dead. All but 80 are
identified. OF the ii I'm the hospitals
five will die. At noon the line OF
those seeking admittance to the
morgue extended six blocks.
New York, March 27.-Declaring
that $50 lofty buildings in Manhattan
alone are in such a condition that
they might at any time furnish rep
etition OF Saturdays fire, District At
torney Whitman today started an in
vestigation to find a remedy for ex-
listing conditions. Whitman will ask
the grand jury to probe the fire full
ly. If 1t has been criminal negli-
gence, as asserted, he will demand
prison sentences for those responsible.
Whitman says he believes the build
Ing inspection was criminally lax. as
an investigation shows the building
was not up TO the requirements The
doors opened inward and there were
very few fire escapes.
Mayor Gaynor today headed pub
lie subscription to care for the des-
titute families
OF the 142 corpses, only SO remain
unidentified.
The members of the shirt waist
makers union will not work tomor-
row when the funerals or the victims
are held, but a monster procession
will DC held. Wh.cn Will be made u
living protest against the lax build
ing laws.
DR.. George NJ. Price, chairman OF
the investigating committee appoint
ed by the Cloak, Suit and Shirt indus
try of New York, last september. to
investigate and REMEDY unsanitary
and unproductive conditions affecting
members of that union, gave out to-
night a statement with q long list OF
factory buildings which he says fail
to comply with fire regulations.
Few Escapes.
What was expected, has happen
ed" says the statement. Those who
knew of the slight protection in the
lofty buildings of New York, long ago
predicted such a disaster as occurred
n, Washinton Place. II. however.
this building was the only one of
those unprotected the situation would
not be so terrible. But It is a fact that
there is hardly large lofty building
in New York that is protected against
fire"
Coroner Investigates.
With all the dead removed from
the building, the coroner began an in
vestigation into the disaster-one of
several inquiries which will be con-
Quoted by city departments-aided by
agents from the district attorneys
office, An inquest will be held and
Its results will be placed before the
grand jury. Many grand jurymen
visited the scene and District Attor-
ney Whitman announced that those
responsible for the loss of life would
be vigorously prosecuted.
on Thursday night a mass meeting
will be held at Cooper Union TO asl-
tate for more adequate protection of
so-called fireproof buildings.
The United Hebrew Charities and
the Hebrew Free Burial societies an
nounced tonight that they were ready
to relieve any distress caused by the
fire. The Independent order of
B'-Nai Birth has opened a subscrip-
tion fund throuhout New York
Massachusetts,, Connecticut, Rhode
Island and a portion Of Canada for
the sufferers. The directors of the
Metropolitan opera house have Of
fered the building free for a benefit
performance.
Building Laws Condemned.
New York, March 27.-The follow
ing editorial condemnations of the
strongest sort are voiced today by the
New York dailies in regard to the
fire:
Times: New laws are needed and