Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1904 — DEATH TO THE DRAMA [ARTICLE]

DEATH TO THE DRAMA

Say Chicago Theater Managers of the New Law to Regulate Playhouses. SHUTS 'EM ALL UP VEST TIGHT Building Commissioner on the Gridiron—Another Case of Corpse Robbery Is Suspected. Chicago, Jan. 20.—Chicago theater managers take an extremely pessimistic view, according to one city paper, of the situation created by the action of the city council, which has linally adopted a stringent theater law. The announcement was made at nearly every play bouse that under the new ordinance there is no hope of continuing In business. The retroactive provisions of the measure put the older theaters beyond the hope of a gain opening doors, in the more modern theaters the improvements and alterations required will make it impossible, the managers say, to operate with a profit. Another paper represents the managers of a number of theaters as saying they will be ready to open soon after the ordinance is passed.

Important New Regulation*.

The following are important regulations laid down by the new measure: In nou-iireproof buildings the lowest bank of seats cannot be higher than the street level. In fireproof theaters they cannot be more than twelve feet above this level. No gallery seats can have a rise of more than eighteen inches between rows of seats. This will allow of an upper gallery in the Auditorium and perhaps the Garrick, but probably will cut out all others. Cross aisles must be provided for every nine rows in balconies or galleries. These cross aisles must run directly to exit. Must Huts Steel Curtains. Steel tire curtains are specified. Asbestos defeated. Managers say that a steel curtain weighs seventeen tons. Fireproof scenery and equipment behind the stage. Automatic sprinklers above and below the stage and in adjoining rooms. Stand pipes, hose reels, and portable fire extinguishers. Fire alarms on ail floors, on stage, and in ticket office. Two or more firemen detailed to each theater and fire drills twice a week. Policeman at each performance to prevent overcrowding. Cl— m* tor the Season, Anyhow. The situation was a little improved by the council at Its second meeting on the theater subject Ah ordinance was passed which prescribed the following essentials which the theaters must meet before they be allowed to reopen their doors: Steel curtain; automatic sprinkler system; bond of *25,000 guaranteeing the performance, by Aug. 1, 1904, of all the requirements of the ordinance; widening of doors and exits. Ail of this is tobeperformod under such conditions, terms and restrictions as shall be imposed by the mayor of the city,the commissioner of buildings, and a sub-committee of three to be appointed by the mayor. Oue Manager an Optimist. The managers of theaters declared that it will be impossible for them to meet the demands of tlie enabling act In sufficient time to do business during the remainder of this season, and several of them declared that they had no intention of trying to reopen their doors. Tlie manager of one theater declared that lie thought he eouid he in shape by Feb. 1, but was not sure or it. HAD HOUR FOR WILLIAMS Building Cuininiwiiouer Under Kr-Kiam-ination—Mure Ghoul Work. Chicago, Jan. 20.—When the coroner's jury resumed its investigation one of the principal witnesses was Building Commissioner Williams, who appeared for re-examination. He was treated by the coroner as n man on trial for a crime and at one point was accused of having “guilty knowledge” of the incompleteness of the theater at the time of its opening. “I had no guilty knowledge,” declared the witness, glaring at tlie coroner, his face flushed in anger. "I had ah inspector there- —” “Then you just looked in the book and saw the O. K. and then signed the application?” Williams assented, stating that it was impossible for him to do the personal inspection himself and. declared it the duty of Inspectors Loughlin and- 1-ense to report if everything wrfk not right. Loughiiu testified a few days ago that his inspection duty ended with the structural work, and that he had nothing to do with fire inspection, lie was appointed because of his experience in structural work. The examination of the building ctitnniissioner was so severe that Assistant Corporation Counsel Kothman interfered in defense of Williams. A clash with the coroner resulted. The witness was not permitted to testify as to his eompeteiiey. and Kotluuan said it would seem that Williams was ou trial iustead of being merely a witness.

Another instance of the work of ghbuls during the excitement following ♦he Iroquois fire is believed by the police to have been unearthed iu a report that the body of Hermon O. Dreisei, a teacher in the Normal Practice school who lost his life, was found to have been robbed. When the body of the school principal was found lf> cents Was in the pockets of bis clothes. He bad taken $35 with him on the day be met his death, and bad expected to make numerous purchases.