Certain people and certain newspapers in discussing the Opera House horror put all the blame on the people. They say there was no necessity for any one getting killed, or even hurt. There was no fire, and nothing to get scared at. These people have nothing to say concerning any faults in the construction of the building, including inadequacy of exit. The fault is all placed on the people and allowed to rest there.
That is a cheap and easy way of settling the matter, but it is not satisfactory, because it is not right. People in constructing public halls should take into account the long established fact that crowds of people are liable to become panic-stricken, and this without sufficient cause, oftentimes. But whether with or without sufficient cause, the results are likely to be disastrous, especially if the people be confined in a public hall with a single narrow exit. Because of the liability of crowds of people to become panic-stricken at the first intimation of danger, whether well or ill-founded, the builders and mangers of public halls should see to it that the means of exit are such that the hall can be quickly and easily emptied, and this cannot be very easily provided in halls on second floors, because in that case a long, narrow, steep stairway is a necessity, and a long, narrow, steep stairway, in connection with a public hall, spells danger every time.
Of course, if panic, whether ill or well-founded, never occurred, if all people composing crowds always exercised the reason which is theirs, almost any kind of exit from a public assembly room would suffice; but because of the liability of the people to be easily panic-stricken, it is necessary for the protection of human life that ample exits be provided, and our law makers have recognized the importance to some extent, and have it ordered that the doors of certain classes of public buildings shall open outward, and not inward. If panics never occurred this provision would not be necessary-- but it is necessary on that account. persons in charge of public halls and school houses have been very slow to comply with this humane provision with regard to doors opening outward; and if we are not mistaken there are doors in one of Canonsburg's school houses, which open inward -- and school is booked to open next Monday!
We Sincerely hope that the worshipers of "things as they are" may get their eyes open; and also hope that the many people who believe that human life is of more value and is more sacred than property, will never cease their efforts or stop uttering protests until each and every school house, church and public hall in this and every other town is made as safe as human ingenuity can make them