The Washington times., 1913-02-05
SHOWSOF
DISTRICT SCORED
!. BY CITIZENS BODY
Columbia Heights Committee
Find Dangerous Conditions
in Many Theaters.

Patrons of motion picture theaters in
the District OF Columbia in general and
Columbia Heights in particular run
great danger of their lives in case of a
panic. according to the report OF the
amusement committee of the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association, which
has made an exhaustive investigation OF
the subject.
: The amusement committee, Of which
Dr. Benjamin F. Gibbs is chairman,
made its report to the association at
the monthly meeting held last evening
IN St Stephens Hall. The report point
ed out in particular that children, who
visit the nickleodens unaccompanied by
tneir parents, take serious risks of their
nves In case Of fire or panic.
Standing Room Crowded
The committee made it clear that no
criticism was made as to the safety of
the buildings, or the general construc-
ton, should a fire occur. In every in
stance IL was found that the fire regu-
lations had been strictly complied with
az regards construction, and the film
operating rooms are fireproof and con-
suucteo of heavy metal or asbestos. It
was conditions which would prevent an
case OF danger.
The greatest danger in practically
every motion picture theater in
washington. according to the re-
the management, after the seAts are
All eiied, of permitting other patrons
10 crowd the space back of the rails
and seats awaiting an opportunity to
Est the seats when they are vacated.
Tets practice, II was pointed out, would
make It practically impossible for those
occupying seats to get out by the front
doors in case Of stampede or panic.
Found Useless Fire-Escape.
The committee also reported that it
had found several of the doors marked
with red lights as exits locked, and in
some cases where there were two swing
ing doors at an exit, one was found
fastened In one instance the exits
were windows several feet from the
ground. which, the committee said,
would be impossible for a child to use
In time OF danger. II was stated sew
erel fire-escapes were found to be prac-
tfcalfy worthless.
The association instructed the secre-
tary to forward copy of the report to
the District Commissioners, with the
request that a thorough Investigation
be made at once OF ali motion picture
shows in the District, and the defects
corrected, so as to avoid the possibility
Of repetition here of the recent New
York disaster.
After the reading of the report of DR..
Gibbs, the business session was cut
short, and the remainder of the evening
given over to Claude N Bennett who
delivered an interesting address on
washington the Gateway 20 the
South
Want Street Improvements,
Col. Charles c. Lancaster introduced
q resolution for the appointment of
committee to appear before Senator
Gailinger. chairman of the Senate Dis
trfct Committee, and endeavor to have
inserted in the budget appropriations
for certain street improvements in Co
lumbia Heights. Colonel Lancaster
madesa strong speech in which he urged
concerted action to demand justice for
the District of Columbia at the hands
Of Congress"
J. Clinton Hiatt. chairman of the
special committee appointed to appear
before the Senate committee to urge
an increase of the police force, said
that Senator Gallinger had advised him
the committee would be given a hear
ing during the present session Of Con-
gress.