The New York herald., 1872-12-22
Sham Wooden Structures That Have Re-
Gently Been Erected in New York,
Under the Eye Of the Super
intendent Of Buildings.
The Thin Iron Disguises Of
Splendid Tinder Boxes.
Insurance Men Condemn Them
Unreservedly.


with startling and terrible ruin. But as there is
no sweet without its bitter so there is no bitter
without its sweet. The bright side OF the picture
is the fact now presented that there b aroused
strong popular feeling In favor Of radical reform
In the architecture Of cities, that the principles
Of humanity win take precedence in the considera-
ton OF the builders to those ef artistic ostentation
Our most pretentious structures win be found az
rule to be less thoroughly nreproof than many
which present far palmer exteriors, but are In
fact very carefully erected with reference to the
greatest safety for human life and for property.
THE LATE FIFTH AVENUE FIRE
has again very recently made only too palpabe this
by no means natterng fact.
In recent interview with Mr.. Macgregor, the
chief Of the inspection of buildings in New York, he
was reported to have declared that he had: no
power to dictate in what manner a building should
be erected. Yesterday representative Of the
HERALD called upon Mr.. Nacgregor again and
opened the conversation by calling his attention to
the alleged saying Of his above referred to.
"The printed words are slightly incorrect per-
haps, through an error OF expression or through
Misrepresentation on the part Of the gentleman who
repeated them really said that had no power
to dictate an alteration OF q structure which had
been erected before the passage OF the law creating
my authority unless enforced by special act. In
the building law OF 1871 section 81, there is the
followng:-
THE POWERS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILD
INGS.
"The Department OF Buildings named under this
act shall have full power IN passing upon any ques
tIon relative to the modes, manner Of construc-
tion or materials to be in the erection, altera
ton or repair of any building in the city Of New
York.'n
"And you interpret this as an enactment only ap-
plying to buildings erected subsequent to its pas
sage9"
"Yes, Ido.n
"Supposing, then, that such Is the case, why
were net the fire escapes provided for by special
act placed upon the Fifth Avenue Hotel over the
81 do not think that any more lives would have
been saved than were, II those escapes were there
their beds asleep-at least the greater number Of
those who were killed were smOthered. II they
had had tine 50 escape Wny ad sney aTt
wayW
SHAN STRUCTURES.
"DOes not your power over the manner OF con-
struction OF all new buildings enable you to be the
judge OF what constitutes proof against fire and
what does not ?"
ayes, STR"
~ understand, sir, that there have been erected
quite recently in several parts OF the city buildings
specially devised food for the revels OF the fire
Gend alter he should become wearied with attack
sThere are several wooden buildings in various
parts OF the city that built before the present
law against their erection came into vogne."
IRON COVERED TINDER BOXES.
"But are there not some structures built OF wood,
covered with iron, and claimed to be freprOof that
were recently completed :"
''There are two such buldngs-one in Centre
street.-the A. Ibelieve. 1t belongs to Messrs Noyce
are sbestbed on both sides with IRON %
presents an appearance Of great s0lidity, massive
ness and strength"
a OF
ture ~
II do not approve OF it myself. do not think it
style Of building which ought to be encouraged"
"We, think that the walls are as nearly fire.
proof as an ordinary iron building, as they are pro-
IRON AS A CONDUCTOR OF HEAT.
''Will not this iron sheeting communicate more
speedily any heat caused by fire in the interior
they were built OF brick ~
'.Wood in that position withstands the heat very
well. Besides, the plastering Is great protection,
it Ia In dead floors 1t takes long time for the
flames to work their way up through the ceiling.
Insurance men who have inspected these struc-
lures accent risks upon them just as readily as they
do on others with walls entirely OF lron."
"Are there not other buildings Of this sort in the
''There is one at the corner OF Worth and Centre
streets; but 1t is merely q low, temporary struc.
ture, built by the trustees OF an estate whose heirs
are yet minors.
HEPwoRTH's NEW CHURCH
is also constructed in this manner but the walls
Ne
iron. DR.. Scudder's iron temple, in Brooklyn, is
frame structure, with walls protected by CORFU
IT. ana also when over
see 1t while in course OF erection remarked upon
its faulty architecture, but my opinion was not con-
WHEN HIS OPINION WAS CONSULTED.
"But your opinion was consulted in the case of
similar buildings In New York, was 1t not ?"
eyes; but those are considered by the insurance
men to be perfectly safe. And what terrible OPP
position should meet with If should suddenly be-
architects
srructures!n
THE ILLS OF OFFICE.
The interview was much longer than the portion
gwen above, and Mr.. Macgregor uttered many
very original suggestions about his department,
task to put in practice Mr. Macgregor also re-
viewed his course since he was appointed Superin-
tendent Of Buildings. and said in conclusion, after
dwelling on the ills and vexations OF office for .
length Of time, that he would have had peace long
ago ii Mayor Hall had only seen At to accept his
resignation. =.
Inquiries Among the Insurance Men.
Subsequently the reporter went down in the in
surance region of Broadway and made inquiries
among the learned ones In risks and valuations
The Surveyor OF the Underwriters Association was
first visited at the ofiice, near Cedar street. Mr.
Kingsland volunteered whatever information he
could impart with the utmost courtesy. He was
nrst asked
"what do you think Of the corrugated iron
buildings recently erected in the city so far
Germs their nreproof qualities ?"
81 think very little OF them, indeed. They never
did meet with my favor. l condemned them from
the first"
"For what reason do you condemn thems"
because they are far less proof against fire than
almost any other kind OF building to be found in
the city, excepting perhaps, those which are en-
tirely OF wood"
HEPwoRTH's NEW CHURCH.
"Are there many now In course Of construction''
~ know only two or three. There is Hepworth's
new church at the corner OF Forty NTH street and
Lexington avenue, which is partly Of brick, partly
Of wood and partly Of iron. The interior Of the
front wall is built of brick, while the other walls
are framed with wooden timbers. All the walls
finished with plates OF corrugated iron both on
the outside and inside The building ~ Centre