, 1881-07-24
HOLD TO THE LIMITS.
An Infamous Plot to Subject the
City to Another confla-
grafton.
Real Estate Rlngsters and Wanton
Aldermen Acting in Concert.

The demagogicai and ecandalous ATTEMPT
| which Is now being made by ring Of reo&- estate
| holders, acting through tho worst element In the
| City Council, TO render Chicago nre-trap OF
tue largest size was exposed by THE TRIBUNE
| yesterday The publication attracted the nttcu-
| ton Of the Citizens Association and meeting
| OF that body, III conjunction with prominent
ptoperty-owncrs and insurance men, was held
| yesterday TO take action In regard to the pro-
posed contraction OF the tlrt-limits. Nr. Edison
| Keith presided, and tho meeting, although has
! tify called and therefore not large in point Of
numbers, was II thoroughly representative ono.
| 1t was shown that, under tho wise legislation
| prohibiting the erection Of frame buildings IN
| tho heart of tho city the rates of insurance had
been cut down nearly one-hnlf since 1874, The
Citizens Association, In common With business
men and taxpayers generally. had supposed that
the attempts to contract the fire Iimits had been
blocked by the acton Of the City Council, and
that there Wis no present danger Ut their re-
ncssal- 1t seems. however, thut there is prob
ability that OIL ston,iay evening tho matter will
tce on Fire and Water have reported
that all ordinances and resolutions looking
be p',ccd On tiic. Hut the Council did uot ap-
prove this report and the ordinances, au5 oae
Of them, may bc called up at any moment
II Ii CURRENTLY REPORTED
and believed that on Monday night the advo-
one of these t're-trap ordinances aud push il
through. The story goes that Il majority OF the
ofdnaacc ~ and vote tint for tue
la.s. The Citizens Association yesterday
discussed the chnnces OF such action and can-
blocked. The general sentiment WIS that there
WIS very little To be hoped frs,,n the Afnyor II
teen v"tes III the Council Mr.. Harrison Is not
expected to veto any proposition to cut down
the fire limits, bur 1t Is hoped that SUFFICIENT
1f1ft tN%} }1f41f tr>
vote asa!in=t tho threatening and dangerous
proposition.
pointed out the ruinous effects Of the passage of
MI }rslinat.ce which should cut down the t1rs
limits. and referred to tho pcrtion, signed by
nearly every one Of the South Side merchants.
protesting aglnst any modification ut the ex-
istins law. Tnat petition reads us follows:
rA; 1un. a r, tx ,.stia iS1 %S! s .,,,s ay
., the undersigned nltrcfaats md ta1pa,ers. re-
cr@ M ;3 't 5.h ,s e
mt M n, , To I sffs,o II w"edsn eanss ~
5s iI VIM inner Il = o. t i: f
% aud wsiars Ell y: the city, % AZ i more iuily get foh ID
t 3 1yGn! ~ m H. ;s nx ;nr sh9 x na.
se5at! .hs pas:.:: & IA :tss;
fc2 w r.! itn % c buas n
The appeal und protest referred to set forth
that Chicago contained an Immense amount OF
wo<stetl buildings. and to the violation Of exist
ing ordinances. Tho underwriters polluted OUT
that tho confidently Of frame buildings led to th4
great fires Of ncs.er ISL and July ls'4. In this
city: 70 the rwo fires In l:ostou; the destruction
Of Oshkosh. Wiz, Osccoia. ia:., Portland. Ore.
Virginia City. New, st. John's Sew BRUNSWICK,
amt to the partial destruction Of
Quebec, St. Hync,t,th. Canada, Dead
stst1, OAK, anu other cities ia
this country. and to the fearful con0a9atious
which have devastated Conxtantinopio and Ycd-
do, japan. The mceting yesterday discussed thu
adyis3lbility Ut
CALLING AN INDIGNATION MEETING
danger the city und increase Insurance rates
but adjournment was tnken without any
tle:init conclusion being reuched- 1t IL earnestly
p:sss On Moudly evening, anu shnt tho protests =
Of NIL who have M interest ic the welfare and
safety OF the city m,ly have sufficient weight
with the Council to secure q full attendance OF
metn bers oppnsetl 10 tho dangerous schemes
now being incubated-