The New York herald., 1922-04-24
new WILLARDHOTEL
FIRE FORCES GUESTS
TO FLEE AT DAWN
Peacock Alley Becomes
General Boudoir for Many
Noted Persons.
COOLIDGE IN THE LIST
Top Floor Of Washington
HosteIry Ablaze While
Patrons Sleep.
CoNGREssMEN IN FLIGHT
olga Pctrova Takes Two for
Hotel Porters-H Harding
Offers Aid.
CoNGRESsMEN IN FLIGHT
Special Dispatch to THE New YoxK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.

Special Dispatch to TIE New YoxK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. April 23.
The tentr, floor Of the New Willard
Hotel was cleaned out early this morn
ing by fire. The cause is yet to be
something like s25o.oOo, although that
is only conjecture. Ono fireman was
slightly injured. There were no other
physical casualties. ButtEe fire itself.
alhough spectacular. was only an
incident.
The far famed Peacock Alley be-
camc community boudoir; the
equally famous Blue Room a common
dressing chamber. At the height Of
the excitement, when Eysteria threat
ened all except Vice President Coo
lidge, who was calmly distributing
good cigars to the ffremen, the police
men, the bellhops and others who
were keeping the flames confined to
the tenth floor, olga Petrova, TIE ac-
trcss, mistoox two dignified members
or Congress for hotel porters and they
resented it SO much that they quit
rescuing her baggage.
A portly gentleman in a nightshirt
and silk hat fled his rooms clutcting
n grip. He was hustled into the Blue
Room and behind q screen. where he
was told he might dress.
49, ~ ~rr-. xr.~~.<I-vN @NNR
Can't, dross until scnlcbsdy~rcscues,
my bag, he replied.
Whats that?" demanded a West
crn Representative. indicating itte
grip.
None Of your business. but there
are no clothes In it."
Women appeared in bedroom slippers
and the filmiest Of ncgiigees. Senators
never seen before outside of silk hats
and swallow-tail coats fed to Peacock
Alley in pajamas or the good old demo-
cratic nightshirt. Several Of the men
appeared in bath robes, and at least one
reached the street floor in his under
wear. He carried an umbrella, showing
that he knew what he was about, inas-
much as the tons of water that had been
poured in upon the tenth, ninth and
eighth floors had cataractcd down the
stairs. down the elevator shafts, and
even camc seeping through the ceilings
and floor. a fine young rainstorm was
falling upon Peacock Alley and the Blpc
+ Room. That added nothing to the COM
< fort of the famous folks who had hud-
died inside waiting for clothes.
Nn
Weston Allen, Attorney General OF Mas
sachusetts and aspirant for the Gov
crnorshIp OF his State, suffered untold
mental anguish. Mr. Allen had been
chartered on the ninth floor. Early il,
the evening he had sent almost all hs
outside clothing to the tailor for press
ing. A policeman routed him out of bed
and told him the fire was just over his
head and that 1t was no time for petty
euibbling.
In Pajnmas and SILK Hat.
SO Mr.. Allen stepped out OF the eie-
vator brave in pajamas, a full dress
coat and silk hat. Just behind hin,
VAS q portly gentleman clad in a pa.-
OF checked trousers and bright red
undershirt--and that was all.
The blaze was discovered about 80
o'clock. A policeman noticed smoke is-
suing from ono or the windows. Just 4
few hours before the Gridiron Club hal
held its spring rcvei on the tenth floor
President Harding and Mr.. Coolidge had
been among the many prominent men 70
attend. II was thought at first that a
lighted cigar left In the wake OF the
diners had caused the fire. But watch
men reported that they had made tho
rounds OF the big ballroom several times
after the affair and that there were 10
signs OF fire then.
The hotel was crowded TO its utmost
capacity. Many delegates to the con-
vention Of the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution occupy rooms. ) large
number of knights OF Columbus were IN
The place. The hotel organization acted
quickly and efficiently the moment the
alarm was given. Margaret Mstheson,
in charge OF the telephone switchboard
calmly notified every room. Tie bell
hops, the porters and the other male
employees available went through shc
corridors seeing TO it that guests Under
stood what was going on. Policemen
followed them UP to see that all rooms
were cmptied.
white House OFFERS Help.
Motor cars came from the White
House garage TO claim Mr.. and Mrs.
Coolidge and take them to the Executive
mansion. They declined to go. Later Mrs.
Coolidge consented to go 90 the home OF
her husbands secretary. Brig. Gen.
c. u. Sawyer. President Harding's per-
sonal physician. and Mrs. Sawyer.
were hustled up TO the White House
and from various parts OF the capital
Ms soon as the excitement became gen.
orally known other automobiles came
10 take away shivering ladies' and en-
harrassed men who fortunately had
friends who could house them.
Charles G.. Dawes, director Of the
budget. was one OF the hotels guests
and he devoted himself TO calming those
who appeared scared. Senator's du
Continued on Page Five.
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