New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-14
NEED OF A FIRE SALVAGE CORPS.

NEED OF FIRE SALVAGE CORPS.
TO the dttor Of The Tribune
SIR: would earnestly call the attention of
the National Board of Fire Underwriters and the public
TO the subject Of re Salvage" and to the necessity OF
organizing Sire Salvage Corps" in cities having for
its specific object the removal OF combustibes from
burning buildings with view TO the saving OF mer-
chandise from destruction and the staying of conagra
TONS While fully approve OF the resolution passed by
the Fire Underwriters previous to their adjournment
urgng upon the Legislature the speedy passage OF the
bill now before them providing for the organization OF
corps OF sappers and miners charged with the duty and
empowered TO blow up buildings TO stay the spread OF
the hanies depreoate terrible necessity like this,
when by the removal the combustbe contents of build
ing the results could be obtained without the Wild
alternative OF gunpOwder and the accompanying sac
rice Of life and property. append herewith for the
information Of the public generally synopsis OF bill
introduced In the Legislature OF Pennsylvania during
the past session incorporate "Fire Salvage Com
pany" lcharged with the duty OF organizing Fire Sal
wage Brigade" oct subordinate TO and coOrdinaey
with the Fire Department OF Philadelphia though
independent OF it, whose duty 1t should be when
directed by the owner underwater to remove
from the reach Of the flames merchandise and vauabes
and deposit them In places OF safety desghaea Dy the
owner or underwriters the company being authorized
TO claim salvage OF 80 per cent upon the appraised
value of goods saved from destruction Inc nl dd nor
become law, owing 10 inc carry anu APecteu
adjournment of the legislature aud the fact OF ITS being
censorous from the press the authors subse-
oueny averrng that they had never read the
almost certainty and there Is ample time 10 introduce
and pass a similar bill at Albany, applicable To- New
fire organization could be established the Fire Depart
ment being charged with the extinguishment OF the
flames the Salvage Corps charged with the preservation
and removal Of goods which would otherwise DC de
stroyed the services of the corps OF sappers and miners
only called in requsitlOn when the blowing up or
buildings required 10 stop the spread OF the cOnagra-
ton ask Mr.. Editor the insertion of this article IN
the columns of THE TRIBUNE together with the annexed
synopsis the bill referred to- as the readest mode OF
directing the attention OF fire underwriters To the sub
The Fire Salvage bill recently before the Legislature
OF Pennsylvania had for its object. through an efficient
Fire Salvage Corps the saving OF merchandise ana Vau-
ables liable TO damage or destruction from hre
No organization of ITS character exists In the country
special patronage of the underwriters The exclusive
province of the salvage Corps TO remove from burning
preservation and the checking of the spread OF the
ames having power TO claim salvage OF 80 per cent
on appraised value OF goods saved The eXerOns OF
the Fire Department are mainly directed to the flooding
OF adjoining properties 10 to confne the flames 20
the building which the fire originates. The burning
warehouse is thus left to Its late Win Its wealth OF COM
The Insurance Patrol only strive TO protect merchandise
from damage by water injury, by the use OF rubber
coverings but Is the special duty OF the Salvage Corps
when directed by the owner underwater or other
official authority 10 remove the combustble materials
stored IN burning buildings whea WOud % De
only the request Of the owner or underwater or on
the requirement Of the Chief OF the Fire Department.
when the Judgment of the latter the stay or the
hagraton depends upon the removal beyond the reach
OF the flames that the corps may enter burning bull ling
and remove the goodsi therefron Is the eombu be
contents ncOsed walls Of granite and brick that herads
the destruction OF blocks and squares, and at last COM
pei resort the saturnaa OF blowing up There need
be no fear OF theft plage from force OF disciplined
uniformed, and responsible men, more than might be
unprecedented from the Fire Department itseif the
owner or underwater designating the depository for
goods removed salvage of one-thrd or the rescued
merchandise is not excessive, and should not be with
held from men who amid the pers OF smoke and flame,
penetrate the burning mass ZEIErIC,
Philadelphia May 3, 1873.