Evening journal., 1915-02-11
DISCUSS REPORT
ON Picture HOUSES
City Solicitor Will Study the
Law Before Mayor
Takes Action
WANT ALL CITY
THEATRES SAFE

In order to look into the constiiu-
tionality of the building ordinance Of
1909, the report of Building Inspector
Anderson of his investigation of the
nine city motion picture theatres
made at the request Of Mayor Howell,
which is based ON the ordinance. City
Council last night directed City Soli-
citor Hastings to inquire into the mat
ter and report to Council on next
Thursday night. The report sub
nitted by Mr.. Anderson was dis
cussed at a meeting of Council last
night as committee of the whole.
Mayor Howell and City Solicitor Hast
iugs we're present
In his report. Mr. Anderson sug-
eested that metal shields be placed
over all the furnaces in the theatres,
except the Opera House and in the
Victoria Theatre.
Generally Mr. Anderson recommends
that all doorways and trims be covered
with iireproof material, that all exits
be designated by red lights, additional
exits be provided, and the clearing away
of all rubbish in pasageways and under
stages.
In summing up his report Mr. Ander-
son said:
'ln summing up few notes. which
/ wish TO draw your attention to. as
follows All OF the first story of these
moving picture houses are of wood
doors and glass. In going into one eel
lar ] found the heater door wide open,
and a hot fire therein, and I saw at q
nI "a 4 & n
the cellar and if a heavy wind storm
came, striking the chimney certain
way, causing down draft, and very
often sending out sparks into cellar, it
would prove very dangerous and should
be stopped at once. ! have gone into n
cellar and have found the heater door
wide open and a hot fire running with
the top Of the heater about ] TO rs
inches from ioists. these ioists being oN-
posed and of wood You can see why
have insisted so much about the metal
plate beneath heater and bottom Of
iosts. have found in rooms and un-
derneath Of gallery accumulation of all
kinds of rubbish, paper. straw, old bags
and canvas. This should be stopped and
a number of other things that ] could
mention"
Following the reading of the report,
Mayor Howell suggested that il be
referred to City Solicitor Hastings. as
/ he desired to be sure of the ground
on which he stood when he refused
! licenses to theatres that were not
approved by the inspector. Mayor
Howell said he was glad to note that
/ the police had taken action in looking
after the crowding Of the theatres
The mayor said the police asked
him for specific information, but he
I could tell them only what information
had been brought TO him. He said Mr.
Bowers of the police board had told
him the police inspected the theatres
weekly and had reported no violations
/ TO the best of their knowledge The
mayor said they could not proceed
under a blanket charge. He compli-
mcnted the police on their speedy ac-
tion i'm having the law read to the
/ managers to make sure they know It,
Mr.. Bowers said they have reports
/ from the policemen who say they have
no knowledge of a violation of the or
/ dinancc and he explained that he
4 himself has visited the theatres i'm the
afternoons and never saw any crowd
/ ing
Mr. Anderson cited one instance Of
crowding which he found himself last
Saturday afternoon. Mr.. Bowers eN-
planned that they could not keep a
/ policeman at each theatre all day and
! all evening
II was finally decided to have Mr.
Hastings pass on the report and tho
/ legality of the ordinance of 1909.
which deals with the use of buildings
/ here for motion picture business.