Arizona republican., 1913-06-28
MAKES
 DRASTIC ORDER
Directs Immediate Closing of Christian Church and Lamara Theater Follow ing Careful Inspection of the Two Structures

Two of the most drastic orders eyer 1 issued by d building inspector of this 1 city We're promulgated yesterday by ! Inspector Howard B. ClatIin, when he
 condemned the Christian church as up- | safe and the Lamara Theater as not | complying with the building regula- | tions of this city, In each instance he 1 directed the closing of the structures until such time as they have been 1 made safe and in compliance with the regulations laid down by the city building ordinances.
 Following the issuance of the orders, it was decided to close the Lamara theater this evening and immediately begin the necessary alterations Tn the
 case of the Christian church the trus-
 tees immediate acquiesced in the
 findings of Inspector CIaflin and be-
 ginning next Sunday and continuing
 until the edfice has been made to con
 form with the regulations. the regular
 meetings will be held in the Elks thea
 ter.
 The condemnation of the Christian church did not come entirely as a sur
 prise to those familiar with the con dition of that building. IL had been expected to begin work. shortly of al tering the entire cdifice and construct ing substantial additions. With this in view the building inspector was called in to determine the practicabiIity If the proposed changes
 Questioned about his inspection In spector CIaflin said last evening:
 T found the walls of the church in very bad condition and upon a close examination of the roof discovered that poor designing was the principal cause ! of the giving away of the walls. The roof never was properly braced so that | it's weight Was acting as leverage to | crowd out the walls"
 In his order to the trustees of the l church. Building Inspector Claflin l made the statement that the building | was unsafe for the reason that the roof | was not hraced and it's weight was | pressing out the walls.
 At the present time three of the l corners of the building upon which | rested the hip of the roof had been forced from their position severing the bonds of the brick work and had crowded the walls from two to six inches from their original position. I { would also state that owing to the de sign of this roof the giving away at any one point would precipitate the entire roof into the main auditorium"
 Relative to the notice for the closing of the Lamara Theater. signed by Building Inspector Claflin and Fire Chief Sullivan, the former said;
 Three conditions were discovered in the theater which were. in our judg nlent. dangerous and not to be coun- tenanced- The pitch of the main audi torium floor was entirely too sleep, the exits were not practicable and the light wells at the rear of the building were open both at the sides and on top. The changes directed are not expensive and will not inconvenience the owners of the theater to any considerable extent. IL is not my purpos to inflict hardship upon any person or persons, but Wher- ever public safety is concerned I shall make it q particular point to see that the proper steps are taken for the pro- lection of the masses
 In this connection I would be pleased to talk over existing cOndi- tions with those acquainted with the facts with relation to any public or semi public buildings now standing or to be erected, with the end in view of SO far as possible eliminating or rem adying such defects may be a men ace to the public safety and welfare of the people of Phoenix