, 1872-11-17

that, If every building should hare its external
walls constructed Of brick, ne should enjoy q
comparative immunity from hre.- In the light of
tho Boston condagration, can see in brilliant
colors the force Of this fallacy.
Frame buildings are easily extinguiahed, or
can be easily torn down. These really are the
most and only. 6re-proof buildings. Our pres
ent 6re-engines can extinguish fires originating
in buildings OF this class.
But what, ask, can our fire-engines do'in
our high buildings? What can they do but sur
vey with wonder and alarm the conhagration be-
yond their reach
Two years ago the Drake Block was destroyed
The fire took place in the Mansard roof. The
entire Fire Department was on hand, powerless
witness Of the awful scene. Notwithstanding
the absurd opinion Of one OF the architects in
this city that fires only burn upwards, this fire
did burn downwards, 80 rapidly that but small
portion Of the contents Of the block we're saved.
Where was this stupendous architect at that
time
The architects have nothing to do with this
question. They are interested parties. Last
fall they indorsed tar roofs; and now they in
dorse the Maneard abomination,-in accordance
with their cwn interests, it is true but absolutely
contrary to all sound rules Of architectural
beauty and Of the public safety. would ask Of
any one or all Of these self-opiniouated individ-
uals, whether the architecture Of Greece or
Rome warranted such horrible pergersions from
The truth ia, conceited and ignorant architects
burned the City Of Chicago, and also burned the
City Of Boston. They were the true lncen-
diaries; and, whatever they may say in defence
Of tarred roofs OF Of Mansard roofs, the common
eeuse Of the people condemns, and is absolutely
opposed to their ridiculous and absurd notions.
They know, and time will prove, that these
things are combustible absurdities.
This city is now in great danger, not from the
! multitude Of frame buildings, but from the high
xrh;
! when they once get on Ere, are beyond the power
Of our Fire Department to extinguish, as they
are beyond it's reach.
say again-and sayit with feeling Of deep
sincerity-that our only comparatively dre,proof
buildings are the one and two story frame build
ings of the poor. A town composed Of euch
buildings was never yet burned, nor ever will
| be; an instance cannot be named.
It is these lofty buildings, with q "1unber-
yard" on top, that have done the damage, both
here and in Boston. Who the deuce cares about
Paris? Maneard roofs are nuisance here, and
that is enough.
We have no means whatever of e1tinguishing
fires that originate in such lofty places. If the
wind blows, q universal condagration is the con-
sequence. They are beyond our reach. What
could We do in case the Pacific Hotel or Sherman
House should take fire in their sky-fifted HAN
sard roofs? What could re do but look on in
wonder and apprehension. In such case:
should there be powerful wind, what could
prevent widespread and terrible confagration2
Certainly, these wonderfnly-wige architects
who contrived the plans by which the old Chicago
was burned, and who defend tarred and Mansard
roofs, could do nothing to aid US. The city
would burn in spite of their intolerable conceit
and irnmeasurab1e ignorance.
Before our great fire, there WAS not 3 gingle
respectable piece Of architecture in this city.
This may sound harsh, but it is true. Where
was there q building beyond mediocrity? Com
pared With the highest standards, what is there
now that is 81 very remarkable? There are
number of buildings OF fne materials and Of
good proportions; but even these are, in most
instances, marred, and the effect destroyed, by
meretricious ornaments, that in Greece or Rome
would have been deemed ridiculous.
The citizens Of Chicago are beyond their archi-
tects. Our architects have yet great deal to
learn; and it would be both wise and modest for
them to begin with the rudiments. When one
OF them attempts to criticise the grand and mag
nifcent plans Of the new Post Office, he should
certainly be able to furnish better evidence Of
his Own genius than the wretched building
the northeast corner Of Madison and LaSalIe
streets, which is about as fimsy and absurd
piece Of architecture as New Chicago affords.
Mayor Medil1 is moving in the right direction,
slowly, but, I think, with certainty. This city
can be made fre-proof city, not by using any
particular materials, or by the efforts Of any set
of emall-ninded architects in collusion with tar
OF Mansard roofers, but by the energy and good
sense OF it's own citizens, guarding themselves
against danger, and preparing judiciously and
energetically for any emergency that may arise.
Yours respectfully, J.. EsA1As WARREN.
CHICAGO, Nor. H. 1872.