The evening world., 1920-11-16
MOVIE CONDITIONS
MAY Be TAKENUP
BY GRAND JURY
Most City Departments Seek
10 Dodge Blame for Deaths
in Panic.

'''"hs titHuh are NO-udg gathered
about the biers Of the six children
traEicnlly done TO death during the
panic in the Catherine Street motion
picture house last Sunday. official
Now York apparently is seeking to
avoid the issue as to responsibility
for The death toll.
Muttudlnous laws, state and mu-
nicipal--aro upon the statute books
and oniciai enforcement bodies arc
numerous. In addition to the civic
organizations, supposedly responsible
for the safety OF patrons of motion
picture theatres. many semi i-public
organizations arc concerned in such
matters.
New York, with It's varied interests
and familiarity with sensations, is
still aroused and talking about the
little east side theatre tragedy. In
divlduals and organizations arc in
sistently demanding a full investlga-
ton and expose OF conditions existing
N the picture houses OF the city. The
city departments responsible for such
matters arc inclined, however, TO
subdued action. Tho majority OF the
departments arc disavowing RESPONSE
bility for the deaths OF the six chill
dren, and II would almost appear ms
though they would prefer to have the
tragedy forgotten as speedily as pos
sible.
During the regime OF Police Com
missioner Arthur Woods two active
and capable young detectives were
assigned IN each precinct 10 welfare
duty Il was their function to visi;
poolrooms, motion picture shows and
other places where young persons
congrogated TO take action against
matters that might lead TO crime or
endanger lives or morals. Under
Commissioner Enright, Welfare Di-
vision of the Police Department has
by Mrs. Ellen o'Grady, Fifth Deputy
Commissioner She has special
stat; Of women investigators and a
number OF superannuated police Of
tlcers to aid her.
Following the tragedy in Cathartne
Street, Mrs. O'Grndy, announcing
that there wero a number OF picture
houses that woro denominations OF
flth." advocated the closing down OF
all theatres In New York until a rig
prous investigation might be made.
As yet nothing has been done.
The Fire Department, which has su-
pervlsion over motion picture houses
and is responsible for tho safety Of
their patrons, through Commissioner
brennan declares that II did every
thing possible to keep tho Satharine
Street theatre properly regulated. The
department AYERS that 1t makes weekly
inspection OF such places, and that a
day or two before the tragedy a duly
assigned fireman visited the place and
found no violations
The City License Bureau which Is
empowered TO revoke the licenses Of
such theatres as do not properly
qualify with the statutes, maintains
that it has not n sufficient force
thoroughly to investigate picture
theatres. The License Bureau has "A
r,r,, - t,,,C,t,. ivgn,,tnrg x,,bG,b IL
Commissioner declares is far too
small to handle all the complaints
eceived.
The Society for Prevention OF Cru
city to Children, a semi-public organi-
zation. is keenly interested in con-
ditions existing in motion picture
theatres and It's General Manager,
Ernest X. Coulter. states that he has
written over one hundred letters OF
complaint to the license bureau con-
cerning law infractlons in picture
houses and obtained no results.
Following holooausts and serious
accidents in the past, city Depart
monts have reused themselves to
great heights. Laws were enacted
and officials in public statements
predicatod the impossIblity for fu-
turo ropetitions OF disasters. THIS
was true following the Triangle Fac
tory or Asch Building fire of March
25 1911, when almost l5O persons lost
their lives because of blocked doors
and other fire menacos that existed.
Laws aplenty governing FIRE and
PAM emergencies were brought into
being,
Down on the east side preparations
are under way to-day for the funerals
Of six child victims Of panic in a
motion picture house. Omcial New
York is seeking to get from under the
responsibility.
The only attempt at Official actor
developed to-day when process
server from the ohicc Of District Al,
toncy Swami arrived at Fire Head.
= quarters lie had In his possession
what Is known as q request sub,
poona" and his mission was to oh
tain from the department copies o
complaints which had been madr
against motion niCturc houses ant