New Britain herald., 1916-12-27
WARRANT FOR M'MAHON
 FOLLOWS HOTEL FIRE
Theater Man to Be Charged With Violating Fire
 Escape Law.

Prosecuting Attorney George w. Klett, after consulting with Building Inspector Arthur N. Rutherford, Chief R. MT 7Dandss sofe the fire departme ent, Chief Rawlings and Detective Bam- forth of the police department, this afternoon issueds @ warrant for the arrest of Patrick s. McMahon charg- ing the theater magnate and hotel proprietor with a violation of the statute providing for proper fire es- capes on all public buildings.
 McMahon will be arraigned before the judge of the police court tomor- row and it is said, the statute under which he will be charged carries with it penalty of not more than six months in jail, fine of not more than $500 or both, if the accused is found guilty. .t..
 This criminal prosecution comes as a direct result of the fire which gut ted the Hotel Bronson early yester- day morning. Building Inspector Rutherford says he notified McMahon several months ago that he must put additional fire escapes on his hotel and fixed a certain date by which time the escapes were to be installed. It is claimed that McMahon paid no att tention to the inspectors orders and although the date settled upon has passed, no additional escapes have been provided.
 Building Inspector Rutherford this morning stated that not until he has taken out a permit will McMahon be permitted to rebuild his hostelry, and no permit will be grant ed until he is assured the proposed plans are perfect in every detail. Men were engaged today in replacing win dows at the hotel, but the building in- spector ruled that this is merely in line with protecting the building, and should not be termed rebuilding.
 Tn connection with the rebuilding of the hotel, Building Inspector Ruth erford declared that he will positively enforce regulations that will entirely prevent it's becoming another fire trap. He states that he will order the interior so changed that the dan ger from fire will be greatly 1essened, and he may also order an additional outside exit The inspector states that it may be necessary for him to or der the abolition of at least two rooms in the hotel in order to provide suf- ficient room for enlarged railways and escapes. New and practical fire escapes will be another thing upon which the building inspector will in- sist.
 Although the building was partially gutted by the fire, several of the ten ants returned to their quarters yes .terday and occupied some of the sleep ing rooms last night. This was mo- ticed by the building inspector and several other officials who visited the hotel last night.
 In connection with safety devices in public buildings, the inspector states that he had previously notified several other hotel owners to install additional fire escapes on their build ngs at once. Several other property owners have been notified either to in- i stall new escapes or to have their exits open outward.
 It developed today that John Me Carthy, victim of yesterday mornings ! fire at the Hotel Bronson, passed 1 some time before his death, in writing 1 a number of Christmas letters to rel 1 atives. About 1O:30 Monday night he J
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