The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-14
HALE'S BURNED FACyORE
Its Lack Of Adequate Means TO Exts~guish .
Fire shown In The Inquest.

Coroner Woltman began his investigation
yesterday into the death Of Otto pessncker aud
others who persisted in the burning of Hale's
pianofortc factory. Deputy Coroner Cushman
explained TO the jury the result Of his examine
ton OF the human remains found beneath the
ruins. He said that he could discover four
pcv among the bones, which showed that the
bodies OF four persons were represented there.
but there might be also fragments of the bodies
of others
John Hartell. the contractor in charge Of the
vanishing and polishing in the nth. sixth.
seventh. and eighth stories. testified that he
went twice from the fifth to the top story after
hearing the alarm of fire. Tho second time he
got his books. put on his clothes. except his hat,
and then went down one Of the chain fire escapes
with other persons. II was twenty five or thirty
minutes from the time when he first heard the
alarm until he went out Of the building. There
wore eighty mon employed in his department.
OF these Otto pcssnicker was killed by jumping
from window. and Albert Ice. Nicholas Mang,
John S,'igs George Grabe, John Gumbngcr
s9nd A'ncrt Bisgh are missing There were ,i,
story. besides about ten pals of watcr. There
were no other means Of extingushng fires that
Charles ii. Stone. son-in law NJ Mr. Hale. the
owner Of the factory testified that when the
first story. He sent two persons up stairs TO
help extlnguish the fire, and gave the alarm
Key TO George McDanicls; He then put his
stairs whore the fire was. There wa one hy-
drant in the building. hut no hose. Tho means
OF eNtlnguishing fires wcrc the sinks and pals
OF water No one person hnd charge Of the
water. The contents Of the building were in
iiamnahlc. Fire was used in the third and
fourth stories.
John g. Campbell Chief Engineer Of the
Croton Aqueiuct. testified that the water was
short ut the fire on account of the smallncss Of
the mains in Tenth and Eleventh avenues and
Thirth-niti and Tnirty-siXth streets they being
only siN Inches IN diameter. Tho =" mains were
laid before the days of steam FIRE engines, and
they are too small TO supply water in case OF II
large fire.
Charles X. HYDE Chief NJ the Bureau of Fire
Escapes Of the Department of Buildings. testi-
fled that the plans of Hnrs pinnoiort" factory
had been submitted TO the Department Of Build
ings and approved, ms in accordance with the
requirements of the law The building had
been examined, ana tn" means OF exit from 1t
wore cons idrrnd 10 be sufficient
John u. CLIFFORD flied that no saw ono of
tn" chain FIRE cs'gpes on Hale's huiding. during
the fire, tied up. H." suw one attempt to- use II.
The inquest WIS adjourned until to-day
The Aldcrmen's Committee on Law hive un-
der consideration u resolution directing tue
Mayor To- appoint u commission, cons sting of
himself the Comm Missioner Of Public Works. the
thl"i Eng oi the CrotOn Water Bureau. the
Corporation Counsel three carpenters. three
mnsons two iron builders. n civil engineer. and
IN architect to investigate the loss Of life 10y the
Thirty iith street lire, and io suggest such
amendments to thu building laws a. viii prevent
such disasters. The Commission IL TO have
N" power 10 examine the Superintendent 81
buildings and his assistants. The conclusions
new law, or amendments To- the existing law. To
Lee drawn hy the Corporation Counsel. and
transmitted through the Common Council tothe
next Legislature. The Common Council have
whether any money can be- paid from the city
treasury 10 the sufferers by the fire.