Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-14
The Great Lesson Repeated.

70 the e,litor Of tie ilerandra Gaxctte:
Upon the uplifting of the smoke OF this last
terrible disaster to our sister city OF Boston,
would it not be we'll for Us to pause and con-
slider the circumstances leading to, and culmln-
ating in this sad event; for are we not equally
Interested in the great subject of public safety
from an ever impending calamity, and should
We not learn wisdom and prccauton from the
fate of others.
How sad the reflection that communities
have to be taught continually, by one calamity
| after another. that they have rendered them
selves liable and obnoxious to the rigid ad'
verse action of great natural laws, which are
perfectly memorable 10 cXactlng the utmost
penalty for every intractlon. Mankind has had
examples more than enough in every part of
the world to have fought him that in the placing
of huge piles of cumbustible material! IN mar.
row streets, they were only inviting their de-
structon by fire. Look at Constantnople with
its narrow crooked lanes, filthy streets, wooden
huts and houses; it has to be taught the same
sad lesson about every ten years, and yet to 20
avail, for immediatc J upon emerging from
their ashes they commit the same blunder,
In 1906 Loudnn learned terrible lesson by
fire, which has had this good effect at least in
causing sound building laws to be enacted and
enforced, whereby all structures are erected
with some view to their protection from fire.
We have had sufficient warning from the
fire fend in this country to cause Us to review
the past in hopes OF finding remedy to apply
in the future.
There are Pittsburg, New York, Portland,
Chicago, Boston, and other cities which have
suffered from the calarnities of great fires and
it may not be inappropriate to say here that
they will be repeated again and again as often
as favorable circumstances invite, nay c0nlpet
their occurrence.
In this view of the case all our cities arc
most vulnerable and liable to the terrible viSi-
tation whenever combination Of circumstances
oonspire thereto, for if the granite built city OF
Boston escaped not under those conspiring
causes, how much less shall others escape which
are not so duraby built, aud whose material of
construction is much more combustible?
And now let US glance at Chicago and see
how she has profted by experience. We find
that by her unprecedented activity and energy
she has rebuilt two-thirds Of her burnt dis
trict, in one years time, with larger and more
commodious buildings than before, but when
quality of material used, We fnd that she has
really learned no true lesson from the past, but
is as liable now, under the same conditions as
before, TO the same dire calamity, This great
folly is not singular alone to Chicago, but is to
be found everywhere; some of the causes for
which are lst, the inordlnate greed in trade
and merchandising to make money quick, and
which cannot brook the loss of time necessary
to construct fire proof buildings; I'd, cheapness
of ordinary building material, as compared with
fire proof material Sd, less cost for labor in it's
construction 4th, more ornamentatlon at less
expense; 5th, imperfect building laws which
allow men to build as they choose regardless OF
the general protection from fire, and many
other causes which will appear upon reflection.
Now, as these are some of the causes which
lead us to build cheaply, let US see if they are
not more than oounterbalanced by the penalties
which follow and have to be paid.
lst No one upon reflection will dony that
the amount of money paid for insurance in ten
years, would more than pay the difference in
cost in making our houses fire proof, thereby
enhancing their value.
2ud. TIE terrible loss of wealth, production,
and labor, which occur in every great fire, and
for which the insurance paid, is not more 10
comparison thereto, ithan drop in the bucket.
3rd The great lost to the community by the
paralyzatiou and prostration of trade.
4th. And what assurance have we that in the
event of so great calamity, that the insurance
companies will be solvent, and that We will be
reimbursed for our losses? All experience has
proved the contrary.
Now, Mr. Editor, having shown that we are
all liable to this great calamity, and the causes
leading to this liability; also that it is far more
economical (time considered) to build in fire
proof manner, and that our building laws are
sadly inadequate to afford us proper protection
or remedy | propose at some future time to
discuss the subject in more practical manner,
so as to show our danger and the remedy more
specifically and iu detail. ..,,
Very respectfully yours, n
lingo JONES
Matamoras dispatches of Yesterday state