The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-16

was clearly shown upon that investigation, that
the Are vss produced ey spontaneous combustion Of
wards preventing similar calamtes this year.
PLAN FOR nxrINGUpHiNG rRns-
nventgations for the speedy extnguishment Of
Ono is the application Of steam Although the suggss-
Ue1 nos new wa asa
connagrations. lts adoption In buildings occupied for
manufacturing purposes could DO made very effective
boilers in daily USE and could with little extra
pense, have sufficient steam In them at the close OF the
day to be applied In cases OF fire at night The plan pro
posed is extend pipe from the boiler outside
the building to the upper story, with valve each
floor When fire in either story open the valve
and ill the with steam If this did not Immediately
put out the fire. II would sufficiently subdue to prevent
its rapid progress until the frenen applied eiec.
tual means The application OF steam would be
worthy OF trial; it, cost would be small compared
the amount 81 ssveS snUua mp
surance companies, manufacturing establishments OF
all descriptions, would, in measure, be saved, was
would prevent the extension Of fire. Again, many
chanics would be enabled with such appliance in their
shop TO procure q small insurance on their stock and
tools WHILE without such means subduing nre the
underwriters refuse to take the risks al any premium
IScESDIARIsA.
The comparative table annexed exhibits very satisfac-
tory decrease in acts Of ncendarism. There appears
steady decline OF this class Of res since the
ment Of my investigations into their origin, which
embraces period Of two years. The nrst six months
show ninety four incendiary fires second six months,
sixty tive third six months, hny two and the last six
months, forty eight Eight arrests have been made dur
ing the last six months charges OF and susp
Of arson two have convicted and the others
liberated of sufficient evidence. The past six
months ending the 31st of May have not been emarka
BILE fol- DISASTROUS fires nor has been noted for the
destruction OF much property. The table shows the
heaviest losses TO have occurred in manufacturing estab
lishments, machine shops, and mills. We may con-
graduate ourselves upon exemption from extensive
conag the mercantile portion Of the metropolis
while the neghborIng cities have been afflicted with ca
anitous and extensive conagatons destroying property
to large amount.
The investigations into origin Of nres only
acted as preventive but thus IA, produced remark
able change in their locality The first year OF my exa
limitations fire occurred 134 the second 81,
showing decrease of 49, In this description OF pro-
p rty the heaviest loci es invariably occur.
BURNING FLUIDS.
The tabular statement shows that Amphene and burn
ing fluids have been destructive to life than pro-
perry less than six having lost their lives by
its during the last six months. must however, be
admitted that these accden have been in almost every
the result Of the sufferers negligence or from
ignorance OF the dangerous qualities OF the article used
Neither camphene nor burning fluid should ever be per-
mted for family There il equally much care
cessary prevent accidents in the Of these fluids
in handling gunpowder and indeed am inclined 70 be
heye the latter 10 be less dangerous Many sad acct
dents no doubt would be prevented ordinance
passed by the Common Council prohibiting the sale OF
burning fluids after candlegh one great source OF
| dark.
In nv tabular statement the locality of each fire is set
forth the occupation and alleged loss together with the
of and the amounts paid by the under
The Of each fire also given based upon
sworRevdepce and the surrounding circumstances which
tend to justify the conclusion in each case.
Insurance stock, it will be seen, has become a more
profitable investment The interest of the underwriters
and the public IDENTICAL my investigations for
both classes Small losses produce large dividends these
facts cannot be mscons:rued-the figures prove them
On reference the comparative table, the first year
shows 353 res and loss the underwriters Of 81 $751;
l9l second year 23l fires and loss Of Sas7 3Is-exh
biting falling of in the space OF year Of twenty two
in the number Of fires and saving of $3.50 SIS TO the
underwriters.
In conclusion, take pleasure in returning thanks
Police Justices Of the city, and to the members Of
the Police department generally, acting personally as
well the instructions Of Mayor Wood, for the
zeal and promptness they have exhibited in cooperating
with in my efforts to suppress incendarsm and detect
the causes OF fires. My sincere acknowledgements are
also the Fire department for the cordial aid rem
dered me upon all occasions Your obedent servant
ALFRED Z. BAKER, Fire Marshal.