, 1876-04-30
FIRES AND FIRE INSURANCE,


One Of the notable features in the history
of American cities for the past decade is the
marked advance toward providing safeguards
against loss by fire commensurate to the
enormous value Of the property liable to de-
struction. In 1866, as shown by the data
collated in the address of President OAKLEY,
of the National Board of Underwriters, de-
ivered at the opening of their session in New
York on Wednesday last, steam frs-engines
had been introduced into only about dozen
cities, whilo in the remainder the inefficient
volunteer companies, with hand-engines, con-
stituted what were styled the Fire Depart
ments. Now 275 cities and towns are pro-
vided with steamers Is maintain paid sde-
partments and 90 have organized ire-pa-
trolls. Much probably yet remains to be done
in the way of providing ample water-supply
for any emergency in the lesser cities, but,
in all, there are now si1tY-6ve towns and
cities having public water-works (pump-
ing), and eighty-seven besides in which
good supply is obtained by gravitation. In
Chicago within that time, with the extension
of the water-service, enlargement Of the
mains, and increased capacity Of the works,
the water-supply has been many times null
tipled, and, on completion of the new tun-
networks, will be doubled; and in view
of these facts it is gratifying to note the
President of the National Board is COZ
strained to admit that No city shows
more marked improvement in the organiza-
ton Of its Fire Department and increased
rpotar fa cilifies than Ghicapon
Within the same period, too, there has
BEEN marked falling off in the construc-
ton of hre-trap buildings; and in many Of
the larger cities-notably in Chicago-the
building ordinances now in force diminish
greatly the hazard Of loss by fire. So far as
this city is concerned; the contrast as to the
substantial character Of the leading struct-
ures with those of European cities is less
marked than ever. Solid brick partitions,
cement, with, in many buildings, iron joists
and arched metal ceilings, are now here rather
the rule than the exception 1nLondon, Mr.
GALLEY reports he found many Of the fanlts
of the architecture of our cities obtained.
But in Germany, Belgium, Holland, and
France, he found that pine was discarded for
oak and hard-woods for inside finish that
both floors and roofs were generally laid in
concrete; that wooden partitions we're IN
known, and that 1ath and plaster were not
used; while seldom buildings are erected to
height Of more than 65 feet above the pave
ment, and fimsy ornamental cornice work of
combustib1e material is not used. In conse-
quence of this it is that he attributes the small
outlay OF European cities for Fire Departments
as compared with ours. London, with nearly
100000 population, and upward of 100000
houses, covering about 120 square miles, has
but 26 steam fre-engines, floating engines,
and So hand-engines, and the total force Of
the Fire Department is but 400 men. In Paris
he states he did not find single steam fire.
engine, the old hand-machines being relied
upon, and successfully too, as has been DEM
onstrated, for the extinguishment Of the
worst conhagrahons to which, with their
nearly fire-proof buildings, they are liable.
The growth Of the insurance business in
this country, in the same period, is even more
marked The aggregate capital Of the Ameri-
can companies, which in 1866 Was 81, ,410, 900,
Notwithstanding the immense losses entailed
BY the Chicago and Boston fires, has in
creased to $55, 1888, 900. Notwithstanding, it
is notable fact that the annual premium Ee-