The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-11
THE GRAND UNSAFE

He includes the fire escapes in his
report and points out that the hand
rail on the outside is bolted with but
one 5-16-inch bolt" which, according
to his opinion is entirely unfit to pro-
tect those who might have at any time
to use this means of escape from the
building. Not solid and in case of
panic would not hold the crowd" is
his official written statement of its
condition.
House Not Safe.
IN concluding his report he says, In
my judgment this house is not safe
and with the fire escapes in their
present condition are not sufficient
to take care of the crowd
City Electrical Inspector Sutton's
report begins with the statement: THE
wiring in the Grand opera house is il
very bad conition,' and then goes on
to point out the various and many de-
fects which must be rectified at once,
and concludes with, none of the wir-
ing comes up to the code and must be
rewired as soon as possible"
Report in Detail.
The reports submitted to Crawford
today are as follows:
April IL, 1916.
The Amusement Syndicate Co.,
Topeka, Kansas
Gentlemen: Attention of Mr.. Roy Craw-
ford Sec Treas.
1 enclose herewith report of inspection
of the Grand opera house in this city,
which. you will note shows that the fire
escapes and the electrical wiring are not
up to the standard The report also shows
non-standard booth, but we are advised
that since making the inspection a new
booth has been installed in the theater.
This is to notify you that it will be
necessary for you to rewire the house at
once to comply with all the requirements
of the National Electrical Code, and the
fire escape on the north side must be re-
paired to make 1t sufficiently strong to
support any number of people that could
he crowded if and the wood stair
way at the south of the building must he
replaced by substantial metallic stairway
fire eScane.
We shall expect compliance with this
notice within thirty days from the date of
this letter. or the discontinuance of the use
of the building for public gatherings or
theatrical purposes of any kind until the
necessary improvements are made to com
ply. with the law. Kindly notify what
action will be taken in the matter. Yours
very truly,
Commissioner of Labor.
The factory inspectors report fol-
lows:
Wiring.
Stage all open knob and cleat work and
in very bad shape. For example the wir-
ing to one lamp socket in the toilet at the
west side of the stage; this wiring leads to
socket is seen through the wood wall with
out any tube or bushing. Wiring under
telling which is which. The stage electri-
clan made the statement that when fuse
blew out he could not tell where it was
any more than to go and hunt until he
found some place where fuse was out.
Dressing rooms all open work, and. like
the rest of the building, in bad shape
Overhead border lights, except the front
or east one, are not standard. Auditorium
part of the house is open wiring and In
bad shape, and in my Judgment not safe a1i
ing or at least very little of it complies
with the requirements of rule So of the
National Electrical Code.
Fire Escape.
Metallic stairway on north side no,
standard. For instance, the hand rail on
the outside is bolted with one SIG bolt tc
each upright Not solid and in case of d
panic would not hold the crowd, or rather
prevent the people from pushing off. Part
of the main supports are Joined on the
escape by 1a-inch bolts through the sup
port and stringer of the escape. In case
of large crowd these bolts would shear
off AT the top gallery, platform of escape
is a false platform. The first platform was
set about one foot below thes floor Level
and this platform was made to bring il
up to the level. The false platform is moi
braeed {. enough u, to garry carr any LOAD and
cape on the south side of building is q
wooden affair and should have been re-
moved years ago
and with the escapes in their present con-
dition are not sufficient to take care OF
the crowd Signed
Deputy State Factory Inspector.
City Inspectors Report.
The city inspector says:
April IL, 1916.
M Roy Crawford, Manager, Grand
Opera House, Topeka Kansas.
Dear Sir:
The wiring in the Grand opera house /:
in very bad condition. Following are soms
of the defects:
Stage-Foot lights are not according t.
| Code, circuits overloaded and the wire.
should be soIdered into Jugs terminals ant
| q 81 nj
Border .lights-Only one of the border
| lights is up to the standard.
| Proscenium lights-Wired with fixtur,
| wire, not standard.
| Dressing room lights-Have no guard.
on them. Cord is not reinforced.
Wiring put in without joints being sol
dered, and run through partitions withou
| tubes.
Auditorium should be wired in conduit
Fire escape lights are wired open, SHOULD
be wired in conduit.
Wiring on back of switch board shout
be made fire proof In fact, none of tbs
| be rewired as socn as possible. Your.
very truly,
/ City Electrical Inspector
Fire Risk, Say Insurance Men.
Witness the difference between tn,
insurance rates of the Topeka opera
house and the new Crawford opera
house of Wichita. both under the same
management. The Wichita house
carries a rate of but So cents per hun
dred dollars on its building while tbs
1 contents is listed at S1.41 per hun
dred. The Topeka opera house has z
rate of 80 flat on the building anC
contents is rated at $26S per hundred
| According to insurance men the To
peka house has always been consid-
cred a hazardous risk as the vast diff
ference between the two rates above
| indicates.
| Attempt at Gruesome Humor.
The attempt Manager Roy Crawford
made in the morning newspaper to
day, to paint a word picture, in sheer
ing terms and phrases, fell flat, for i
| only showed his lack of ability actual
| ly to portray what might happen il
the Grand Opera house any day o.
night, according to city and state au
thorities. He is quoted as saying:
Yes" he said, 'eighty-nine per-
sons were killed. The film caught fire