Q. You are talking about the lower gate? A. Yes, sir.
Q. So, by reason of this gate, when the people started out they could have only one direction in which to leave, instead of two, as would be the case if no gate were there? A. Yes, sir.
Q. Let us consider the other gate; what was it for? A. To keep the people from going down into the dress circle, and to keep them on the regular stairway for the balcony.
Q. I believe you told me that you locked these gates yourself just before this matinee began? A. Yes, sir.
Q. That is correct, is it? A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you ever say anything to Mr. Noonan or Mr. Powers or Mr. Davis as to the importance of having men stationed there, instead of a gate, so that in case of fire this would not be an obstruction? A. No, sir; they were always unlocked after the second intermission.
Q. In what act was that? A. At the close of the second act they would be always unlocked. They were exits.
Q. At the time this fire began and people started out, were they still locked or unlocked? A. They were locked.
NEVER ANY FIRE DRILLS.
Dusenberry admitted that at the time of the fire's outbreak he was descending from the top balcony after having made an inspection of the entire house. This was his custom, to see that the ushers were in their places. He said that 100 persons were standing in the passageway back of the last row of seats on the first floor and about twenty-five persons occupied standing room in the rear of the first balcony, and seventy-five in the rear of the top balcony.