The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-11-15
SIX CHILDREN
ARE TRAMPLED
IN MOVIE SHOW
Shouts of Fire Lead to Riot in
New York East Side
Movie House
TO ENFORCE ORDINANCE
After Accident Police Say They
Will Keep Unaccompanied
Children Away

New York, Nov. 15.--A crusade for
stricter enforcement of the ordinance
forbidding motion picture proprietors
to sell tickets to minors unless ac-
companied by their parents or guardi-
ans was started by the police today
as the result of a panic on the lower
East Side last night when six chill
dren We're trampled to death in mad
rush following false fire alarm.
The police department sent warm
ings to all movie houses that tue
ordinance would be strictly enforced.
The proprietors Of the theatre anI
the jaIitor were arrested after the
tragedy last night, charged with Grim
inal negligence.
Adults Trample Riddles
Most of the II other youngsters
seriously injured when older children,
men and women bowled them over in
their scramble toward the exits were
said to be in critical condition early
today.
The panic occurred when some Of
the patrons noticing the curling sha-
dows cast on the screen and catching
the odor of smoke yelled Fire" dash
ed simultaneously for liberty. The
smoke was caused by the janitor, in
starting a fire in. the furnace.
In the confusion that followed
scores of little tots were hurled to
the floor and made a waling, writh-
ing carpet over which the others es
capped. Rescuers said the children
were 50 intertwincd that four or five
clung together when an attempt was
made to pull one out.
The little theater was, crowded to
capacity. Children filled most of the
500 seats, for the hero of the picture
was an Italian lad who rose from
humble surroundings like theirs to
riches and fame. TheH-mlngsters we're
absorbed in the progress of the Sc reen
hero, Pietro who was protecting his
father from thieves, when smoke be-
gan to seep through the cracks of the
theater floor.
"My God! It's fire." This shout
came from an elderly woman, who
gathered little one under her arm
and ran for the nearest exit. lmme-
diately loud waits arose, children be-
gan to cry. They jumped from their
seats, jammed the aisles and fought
for passage The lights flickered OUT
Youthful cries attracted many resi-
dents of the Italian neighborhood. Ca
milo Brullio, who sells bananas from
Il push cart on the Bowery, rushed
20 the scene. He darted into the
theater, attempted to shout down the
cries. Failing he saved those he coulC.
Camille carried more than fifteen tots
to safety, then collapsed, overcome
by smoke.
Some one sounded a fire alarm
Many, then, were carried from the
theater, overcome by smoke. They
we're soon revived.
Women Frantic
Firemen carried the dead to nearby
drug stores. The injured were sent
to hospitals.
Frantic women and men learning or
the disaster crowded before the little
theater.
A police station nearby was crowd
ed with those seeking information OF
loved ones. The bodies Of the vic
tins soon were identified, but the ex-
citement attending the panic kept chill
d rem from returning to their homes,
and many women fought for admit
tance to the theater, believing their
missing children still might be there.