Evening star., 1922-02-15
D. C. Officials Begin
Study Of Jury's
Suggestions.
CLOSING THEATERS
UNLIKELY RESULT
Inspection Now Going On
Is Expected to Cover
Structures in Time.


study Of recommendations embodied
in the coroner's jury verdict returned
last night, which advocate a thorough
revision of the building code OF the
District. with heavy penalty for vio-
lation Of any of its clauses: the clos
ing Of all theaters and other public
assemblage places until their safety
is assured and provision for. the fire
department Of jacks. searchlights.
oxy-acetylene torches and other
equipment needed by a wrecking
crew in an emergency. 1.-The lack of
which seriously handicapped the res
cue of the victims Of the knicker-
booker Theater."
The District Commissioners prob
ably will not find it necessary to close
all theaters In Washington pending
an investigation to determine their
safety.
Although no official statement was
issued by the Commissioners today in
reference to the recommendation of
the coroner'ssjury that all playhouses
be shut down until their condition can
pc determined. the impression pre-
vailed at the District building that
the suggestion would not be carried
out.
Engineer Commissioner Keller who
has been designated by the board of
commissioners to handle the theater
question. was before the Senate ap-
preparations committee all morning
ana could not be seen.
Committee Busy Ten Days.
Commissioner Rudolph. however.
called attention to the fact that a
committee of builders. engineers and
architects have been busy for ten
days at the request of the city heads
inspecting all places Of public as
sembly in the city. Commissioner
Rudolph said that while Col. Keller
Is handling this matter, it is obvious
that no theater has been found in
such condition as to warrant 1t be-
Ing closed or such action would have
been. taken.z s-s,--.--, = :
working without pay. has already
twenty playhouses. ineiuding all Of
the downtown amusement places and
q number Of the smaller neiehborhood
moving houses. Comparatively few
remain to be visited.
STEPS to Follow Reports.
AS this committee reports its find
ings in regard to each theater they
will be referred to the building in
spector's office. where necessary
steps will be taken to correct any
condition reported by the committee
as needing attention.
:, Col. Keller stated to The Star yes
terday afternoon that the District
government would undoubtedly have
the right to direct the theaters to
make any structural repairs which.
in the Judgment Of the Commission
ers. are deemed necessary. He called
attention to the fact that in the case
Of the old playhouses. 1t might be
impossible to bring them up to all
modern requirements Of hreproofing
without complete rebuilding.
Commissioner Oyster announced to-
day that he has already been in con-
ference with Fire Chief Watson rel
dations of the coroner's jury that
the fire department be better equip
ped to deal with an emergency such az
the departm faced on the night
the hnickerbocker collapsed.
Cutting Outfits Asked.
1t became known today that Com
IuiSSlohSA oySlC 6uu NALCA aISOu
last week requested Director of the
Budget Dawes to obtain from the
government eight oxyacetyline cut
ting outfits for the local fire depart
ment. also score of other types of
equipment to improve the efficiency
OF the department.
The request made to Gen. Dawes
included hooks. pickaxes, pinchbars,
crow bars. tin roof cutters. electric
five-ton Jacks and handles, cold chisels,
electric hand searchlights. timers
snips, sledgehammers, rip and hand
saws. door openers, monkeywrenches
of various descriptions, one flve-ton
motor truck. one motor searchlight
wagon, three passenger automobiles
for chiefs and four pulmotors.
Whether 1t will be possible for the
department, to obtain this material
from the government will not be
learned. :,
Long Needed. Says Watson.
Chief Watson said today that the fire
department has long recognized the
necessity for having acetelyn torches,
but has never been able to obtain more
than one. That one was in use at the
Knickerbocker, but proved inadequate
because the tank had to be recharged
frequently. He said the value of these
cutters BECAME apparent following a
fire in New York city about ten years
ago, infwhich q man was trapped in the
basement, from which it was impos-