New-York tribune., 1911-04-03
WON'T LESSEN DANGER
Men Petition for Fire Protection,
but Violate Bureaus Orders.
TENANTS 0BSTRUcT EXITS
Records Show One Petitioner
Worried Inspectors for More
than a Year.

MANY factory opera tors in this city en-
ploying workers in loft buildings filed
with highly inHammable materials have
been prompt, since the Triangle shirtwaist
fire. TO sign petitions calling on Mayor
Gaynor 70 see TO IL that their buildings
have fire escapes at once. But these men
have omitted 70 inform the Mayor. what
the records OF the Bureau of Buildings
show. that many of them have been re-
peatedly notified by the department to re-
move stairway distractions. unlock fac
tory doors. etc. and that they have
steadily failed TO comply.
Records in the Bureau Of Buildings
show however that such is the case.
Two days after the shirtwast factory
fire. for instance. a petition was sent TO
the Mayor. signed by nine firms, tenants
OF an eleven story factory loft building In
West 4th street. where loo workers are
employed. The name Of one man. employ
ing 80 workers. led all the rest. The May
or was asked to help these tenants secure
outside fire escapes without delay. He
proves 10 be the one who has caused the
Bureau Of Buildings lot OF trouble
through his persistent dsobedience OF its
most reasonable demands for the protec-
ton of his employees against fire.
Over a year ago. the records show. this
employer sent letter 10 the Mayor stat
ing that he had seen n disastrous factory
fire on that very day and asking for bet
ter protection for his place. The letter
went through the regular channels TO the
Bureau OF Buildings.
Superintendent Miller had an examination
made. and then wrote the complainant. ex-
pressing the opinion that II the doors lead
20 the ordinary staircases werr kept avail
able for use the stairways would prove a
very much better means of exit than any
outside fire escape that might be provided.
The inspector had found that several
doors were locked or braced with Iron
bars to keep the employees from remov-
Ing any OF the finished product.
Superintendent Miller wrote the owner OF
the building that II the tenants would keep
their doors open pd would remove OBJ
structions placed On the starways II would
not be necessary for him 10 put on out
side fire escapes. otherwise II would be
necessary
The owner replied promptly that all OBJ
struc,iCns had been removed. and that his
tenants had promised 10 comply with the
bureaus demands.
\ short time thereafter an inspector OF
the Bureau OF Buildings investigated the
conditions and found that on the sixth
eighth ninth and tenth floors the doors
were locked and the KEYS in the various
Offices. and that on the ninth floor the exit
was blocked by d working table placed
against the door. There were thirty cm-
Moves ON the latter noor
The owner was again notified thar m.
less he removed all such untovard condi.
lions the department would make him
put on outside fre escapes.
The last report was made several months
ago, closely following on the heels Of the
owners advice that his tenants had again
seen III 10 comply The inspector then
found obstruct.Sns removed and doors IN.
locked. but no one 4, able TO cay whether
In view Of former disobedience ~ the
bureaus orders. u was matter Of pure
luck that the tenants should he found
strictly Within the law on that particular
fav.