Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-11
Largest Circulation In the District
Reading Matter on Every Page.
WASHINGTON CITY:
DAY.-......OctOber II. ISL.
Some of the Lessons of the Great Fire.

Tue sIeat IRE IN ChlCago has ITS lessons TO all
other cities where large blocks of wooden build
ings are allowed to he erected. Had the city
been built exclusively of brick and stone such a
tremendous fire could never have gained head
way to an extent placing it beyond the control of
the fremen. Underwriters have for years i'm
succession found Chicago losing field for their
operations, and scarcely an insurance agency
there can truthfully claim to have made any
money over and above losses and expenses. The
city has melancholy record on the books OF the
insurance companies of New York and Hartford.
Since 1-C3 there have been 3.1l0 fires there up to
the beginning of the present year, with losses
amounting in the aggregate 10 Si5.6l2.502. Many
Of the insurance companies in New York and
elsewhere are largely involved in the great fire
of this week. but most of them have a very large
surplus. and the risks were generally well dis
tTibuted, and it i hoped none will be seriously
injured. Ii is the conviction of the most inteli-
gent underwriters, however, that this calamity
will eventually result in such reforms in the
rates of premium, the assumption of risks, and
the bringing about of a better understanding
between companies, as will place the business of
underwriting on a sOunder basis. The convOca-
ton in New York city next week of the Insur-
anee Commissioners of twenty or more States
and this District, who compose the National
Insurance Convention, becomes, in view of
these facts, matter of general concern.
This great conflagration has another lesson.
The New York Journal Of Commerce says that
Chief Engineer Perley, of the Fire Department
Of that city, visited Chicago last August, and
thoroughly inspected the fire department in
company with its chief. Before leaving the city
lie observed to the chief OF the Chicago force:
"YOur force is not kept well in hand. When an
alarm is rung, where you have ten engines, all
of them go to the fire. By allowing them all to
60 you have at a fire all your hose stretched and
the balance of the city uncovered. Then if a
new fire occurs, a large quantity of hose must be
reeled up before the engine can start. In that
time the second fire has gained headway. You
will suffer severely if the evil is not remedied.
Only three should go. and the remaining
seven should be kept in their stations. They
could be called Immediately if wanted"
Chief Engineer Perley spoke from experience.
New York city is divided into districts AT the
first alarm only those engines, trucks and tenders
detailed for the section in which the alarm arises
90 to the fire, while those detailed in the next
district harness their horses to their machines,
and guard the uncovered portion OF the first dis
trict and all their own. If assistance is wanted
at the first fire, or new one breaks out in either
of the two districts, the proper alarm is given.
those of the second district go to it, and the men
in the next district cover the first two districts
and their own. And 30 on. Rarely are the men
on the third district required. The hook and
ladder companies drive at the top OF their speed
to get ladders up, save lives and stand ready for
the hose. The engine lying nearest the fire runs
faster than those further away. NOracfngis al
lowed There are no sinecUre positions all of
the engineers on the staff of the chief and all
commissioners, going TO a second alarm.