To Protect New York Theatres.

To Protect New York Theatres.

严格检查所有纽约剧院的冷杉emen detailed at the playhouses to protect audiences and actors from every danger by fire is to be made in the future as a result of a general order issued to the fire department on Friday last by Fire Commissioner Waldo. Just after taking office the commissioner’s attention was called to conditions in certain theatres througout the city and an investigation was ordered resulting in the order which was sent to all engine companies with a note to the foremen to see that the instructions are thoroughly understood and carried out. The order reads: “Members of the fire department detailed to theatre duty will report to theatres at 1 :30 o’clock for the afternoon performances and at 7 :30 o’clock for the evening performances. On arrival at the theatre they will immediately make inspection to determine whether all exits are open, and lighted and numbered signs are on, and that all outside fire escapes, courts and approaches are free from obstruction, especially of snow and ice, and are properly lighted. They will cause the asbestos curtain to be raised and lowered before each performance and lowered at the close. They will inspect all fire appliances for the purpose of learning the condition of the apparatus and its readiness for immediate use and see that the keys are properly placed. They will inspect all parts of the theatre, especially the stage wings, traps and flies, and see that there is no accumulation of rubbish. They will cause all doors in the prosenium walls to be left closed during the performance and will see that the border lights are properly protected by shields. They will send two rounds of test signals on the Morse key of the special building fire alarm box at intervals of five minutes and will enter reports whether replies were received from the telegraph bureau. Private telephones will not be used excepting in cases of emergency. Where explosives, color fire or materials of this nature are used they will cause pails of water to be placed near by for cases of emergency. They will cause all articles used for color fire to be properly cooled before being put away, and they will inspect the permit of the bureau of combustibles authorizing the use of explosives. Members of the theatre detail will report all violations or infractions of department regulations and any unusual occurrences while on duty.”

In spite of a complete equipment of automatic sprinklers and at' automatic fire alarm, the woolen mill of Holden & Faller, Palmer. Mass., was recently completely destroyed by fire. Tt was covered with a metal roof and the flames did not break through this until the entire interior was consumed, and the floors with the heavy machinery, gave way as the supports were burned from under them. Then the outer walls fell in. completing the ruin. The mill was built in 1883.