New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-31
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
rHE DANGERS IN NETWORK HOTELS.

THE DANGERS IN NETWORK HOTELS
OPINIONS OF INSURANCE OFFICERS As TO THE PERlfS
OF FIRE IN HorEIs-FURTHER STATEMENTS FROM
Mr.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF HOTEL PROPRa-
EToRs - POSITION OF THK DEPARTMENT OF
BUILDINGS
The publication of Superintendent Hsrrison's
detailed report OF the condition Of the hotels Of this city
to the local Board of Fire appeared
The TRIBUNE saturday-created some surprise
among underwriters, many of whom had not the
original circular Mr. Hope President Of the Continental
Fire Insurance Company, stated to TRIBUNE reporter
that objections had been made to the pubcar
ton Of the condition Of tho hotels In detail.
but he very glad that ha matter had been brought
before the public and the adopted by THE TRi
EUSE would prove valuable aid in efecting reform
The better companies will doubtless refuse TO write any
longer upon the hazardous risks at price, but
there will be companies enough OF the inferior class that
will be glad of the opportunity of giving the hotel pro
pretors all the insurance of certain kind that they may
want
james Harrison. superintendent Of Rates and Surveys
said 1t the intention Of the Board that the report
should be made public although he could objection
TO making the people acquainted with the danger that
nightly surrounds them. Referring TO the difficulty OF
In the large hotels and to other dangers he made
the following remarks:
defy any who stranger tn the building 70 be
placed in the centre Of the Grand Union Hotel for in
stance, and then IN find his way ont without difhcuy
have ndenabe proof of the existence OF the dangers IN
each CASE as indicated. and again and again nave re-
quested that they be removed, hut IN most cases our
requests and entreates have been disregared TO this
however. there few exceptions. and the proprietor
desired improvements be made in that motel during
the present summer Complaint Il made that am e.-
acting but II In business 10 that dangers exist,
and To point them out they do This have DONE not
for the past month or two. but during the past Is
months and II the propretors choose 10 make a hoo-
caust OF human beings N these hotels, can only
say have done my duty. We are told that the
he'd AM
FORE b. danger but experience has taught us That
than instance the wstchnen has persled
with the building and the origin Of the fire has ever re-
manned mystery. have been seriously misguided in
what said in report about advising the Building De-
partment of unsafe buildings. Whenever building IS
discovered be unsafe each member OF the Board re-
due notice by OF slip containing the in
formation desired aud in all cases one OF these slips Is
sent to the Building Department.
within the building unsafe fues AMI furnaces. unsafe
steampipes. unprotected boilers, and swinging gas,
brackets as the most hazardous. Open siairways and
elevators of dangerous when the fire originates
in the lower part Of the building and near these nes rs
thew then become but 1t much more dhcni' 70 lein
TO be distinctly understood "a having no aniago-
nisc feelings toward the hotel keepers but my ohiga-
pei TO point these dangers and II their pr0rie
tors could the matter in It's proper light they would
not regard me as any other than their Trend iOr my i
ful performance OF this service.
The proprieors OF several of the principal hotels were
Of yesterday The proprietor OF the st. Nicholas
stated TO reporter that their elevator bnit Of
from the boilers. which under the sidewalk Several
the proprieiOrs especially those whose houses are
noted in the report having nearly Gil the defects
named. treated the matter one which involved
merely the question OF insurance. Suppose
should 90 TO the expense Of making all these
improvements what woud the reduction in the rate
OF my That il the question:, said the pro-
prietor of tine Coleman House one Of the proretors OF
The Hotel Brunswick said that in his opinion the hotels
OF New York safer than the private residences
Insurance brokers had recently been annoying
him for insurance, offering TO take the
risk at So per cent where he has heretofore
been paying Ia per cent. 20 long as TINS
provements proprietor OF the Everett House stated
at first that there swinging brackets In the
building a. they had all been removed, but III further
conversation he admitted that they were compelled 20
keep them the convenience OF their guests" he
seemed much annoyed the publication OF the report.
good condition those Of more recent con
structiOn. .
Walter ". Adams. Superintendent OF the Building Dc
partnen stated that all tle supervision which ne had
over hotels was provide Of escape To the IN
mates in ease fire. AID also prevent me erection OF
any new wooden maisard roofs wooden cornices.
Nothing OF this kind has been built since the law was
the owners 10 take down those which Wore
constructed before the law went into effect.
clips received at my department from the
Board of Underwriters. they invariably have immediate
attention." sGit Mr. Adams: but the law does moi CON
fer upon me right the dangers 10 which the
hotels are generally subject In this respect the law
defective especially there is in nearly AL cases an
effort on the part Of property 10 resist NE en-
forcement OF what clearly comes within my Jurisiic
IiOu."