The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-17
REPAIRS To
ONE HOUSE.
On DERED
No Dangerous Hazards Are
Found in city's Play
houses.

houses.
At least one Of Washington's
theater will be closed for altera-
lions at the order of the District
Commissioners within q few days,
It was announced officially at the
District building today.
No Danger Of Collapse.
While there Is no immediate
danger OF the theater's collapsing,
as did the Ill fated Knickerbocker
Theater, the District officials say
that 1t does not fully conform with
the regulations Of the building
inspectors office.
Reports on the structure Of the
,fheater, as well as three others, viii
be made to the District Commits
sioners this afternoon. 1t is the in
tention Of the commissioners that
not only the theater which was men
toned. but other buildings of general
assembly in the District must COM
ply In every respect with the build
ing regulations which are UNDER
going revision by experts Of the
building inspectors office.
No Cause for Alarm.
"There is no cause for
ALARM" said . District official
this morning. The Cemmis-.
sioners are simply trying 10
make every theater and other
building in Washington con-
form with the building regula-
tions as . precaution against
another disaster such as oe-
CURED several days ago at the
Knickerbcoker Theater."
In ordering the theater and
any other buildings closed the
Commissioners concluded they had
not sufficient authority and yes
terday asked Corporation Counsel
Francis M. Stephens to amend the
regulations, empowering the Com
missioners to act if they felt q
building should be closed as
precaution against its collapse or
being a fire trap.
"It is the intention of the Commits
sioners to close. at least temporarily.
any building that does not comply
strictly with the building regula|
TONS" the District official said.
"And this particularly applies to
buildings which cannot be altered to
comply with the regulations"
Draft New Regulation.
Commissioner Keller shortly after
noon today admitted that the Dis
trict Commissioners were having
Corporation Counsel Stephens draft
q building regulation giving the
Commissioners power to close any
theater or building which did not
comply with the building regula-
tons.
"There are some theaters in
which the fire hazard Is greater
than ii should be-" declared Colonel
Keller. He refused to divulge the
name of the theaters, but intimated
they were two downtown theaters.
1--WE expect to have the regular
ton formulated and presented to US
tomorrow" said Colonel Keller.
t"Immediate action will be taken"
At the office Of Corporation
Counsel Stephens 1t was stated
that the Commissioners had author
ity to pass regulations giving them
authority to close any structures
believed to be unsafe to the public.
Mr.. Stephens Is writing his opinion,
which will be given the Commits
6iOnerS this afternoon.
Commissioner Keller has appointed
q committee of experts to investigate
the structure and fire recautions OF
all public buildings in Washington.
Those named by Commissioner KEEL
Ter to probe the safety of tie thea
tiers and other buildings were Edward
w. Dom. jr., architect: Charles III.
Thompkins, builder; Arthur L. Smith.
builder; Lester Wilson, engineer, and
Major John Gotwalls, army engineer.
Alterations Needed.
It Is understood that the commit
tee has reported that most of the
buildings inspected were of good, sub
stnntial structure, but that to make
them absolutely fireproof, some OF
them would have to undergo altera-
tons. Those buildings found to be
in such condition that they cannot
be altered to comply with the build
ing regulations. 1t was said. would in
, all probability be condemned.
Many buildings inspected were con-
structed years ago, and II Is said that
the building inspectors office, CO.
operating with Engineer Commits
sioner Keller, taking a lesson from
the Knickerbocker disaster, intend to
force the proprietors of the places to
meet every requirement Of the build