IS SEVER SAFE?

Although it is an old subject, the fact remains that Sever Hall would be very dangerous in case of a fire. There are no outside fire escapes, and the stairs are wooden and would burn quickly. On every floor there are wire ladders, but in the confusion incident to a serious conflagration these would be difficult to fasten and uncoil. Furthermore, the congestion that would result about windows would make exit from them extremely difficult.

There are approximately thirty-six recitation rooms in Sever, holding on an average thirty-five men at least. So in the morning there are very nearly a thousand men in Sever each hour. Almost all the other college buildings of any height have outside fire-escapes or fire proof stairs: Emerson, Boylston, the Geological Museum, etc.

The CRIMSON does not wish to excite needless alarm, but it is obvious that Sever at present is unsafe. There is no doubt that it will shortly be equipped adequately and will be made safe, for the University cannot fail to see the need of immediate action.