The New York herald., 1872-11-17

row OF buildings catch fire and burn the next block
the necessary "a y gap s'@ Ss check
fire."
"would you, in undertaking such task, blow
down all the buildings Of entire block simulta-
neonsiy or with one dischargef
well no, not exactly responded the General.
.Fhat would be dificnlt though not impossible I;
but II would be NJ least unnecessary to attempt so
vast
AN INSTANTANEOUS DEMOLITION,
ana the danger, in a time OF so much excitement
as a great fire. would be much increased by such
course. No. should blow down one or two
wniIe to level a block OF course in adopting this
'blowing-up' system OF defence against fire, it
would not do to commence too near the actual
scene OF the fire. 1t would be best to blow down
buildings block, at least removed from the
buildings actually on fire; SO that the work could
De done Carefully and thoroughly
"What do you think OF the proposition to create
a Board OF Engineers for this purposcY"
81 ~ can't say anything as to the advisability OF
creating such public bOdy.o
"Do you think, General, that one engineer off,
Ger. with, say one professional ASSISTANT would be
Sufficient Tor the
DIRECTION or SUCH OPERATIONS
In n city like New iork9,
~ should think so. You know the occasions
comparatively rare, or at least we will hope so.
The oxperence OF great cities IN the past few years
looks as though great fires are to be more frequent
anu destructive IMAM formerly but this may be =
matter OF mere cOincidcnce.n
"Would it be most advisable to lay powder
trains in the easements oil buildings IN order to
destroy themfn
THAT would be matter OF expcdency.
should lay my trains on the first floor, the street
level; or they might be laid about as effectively
this the second floor. l should not 90 as low as
the basement unless found some special advan-
tage in il, like the iewness convenience OF the
foundation piers. In the event OF a systematic or
ganizati0n being attempted to do this work, 1t
would be necessary to select very competent engi-
neer ability; and the officer or officers entrusted
with the duty would nave TO be clothed with alb
SOlutc power to act as their judgment prompted.
THE RESPONSIBILITY
thrown on him W0nld be very great, and there
would be great efforts made to influence his deci-
sion and action, bOtl by people who wanted him
TO blow up buildings and by those who would
desire to prevent the destruction oil their prop
erty.n
"Do you think 1t w@uld be advisable to have q
separate corps OF workmen TO carry out the drec-
tions OF the engineerr'
80 far as that goes I should think the fremeu
wOud be able tn do IL. They are already organized
and disciplined and are used to stand fire. II
would be very easy to instruct them ir
the rudnnentary branches OF manual sappinl
and mining, laying powuer trains, tgntinl
fuses and 40 forth; and hy the time such crisis II
the con1agration had been reached that 1t wa
necessary 10 blow up buildings, should think thu
| services OF the requisite number OF fremen cou,
| easily be spared from the line of their presen
| duties as iiremen.n
| This appeared to be about all that could be.sa
on subject 80 little studied or understood, anl
| the Generals opinions doubtless embrace all tina
Is known at present on the subject; after thank
| ing him for the Information cOurteousE EiveI
the public the reporter retired