New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-14
CONDITION OF NEW YORK HOTELS.
OFFICIAL REPORTS MADE REGARDING THE BUCK

OFFICIAL REPORTS MAOE REGARDING THE BUCK
NGHAM. THE sTURTEvAST AND TWO OTHERS.
Examiners Of the Bureau OF Buildings yesterday
sent to Inspector Esterbrook reports four hotels
the Buckingham, at Fifth-ave. and Fiftieth-st.I
the sturtevant House, No. 1,Is6 Broadway; the
Merchants Hotel No. 80 COrtlandt-st.; and the
Summit Hotel, at Canal-st. and the Bowery. Each
report was accompanied by diagram of the build
ing. Mr. Esterbrook said that the plans were moro
valuable than the written statements OF the ex-
aminers in enabling HIM TO pass judgment on tho
buildings. He explained that the examiners were
not responsible for the orders issued from
the bureau, and it did not matter much
what their opinions 1t was tue duty
Of the examiners, he said. TO procure
information, while the power TO decide and the re-
sponsibility rested with the Inspector alone. In
regard TO tho four hotels reported upon, the In
spector said that he would not make any decisions
until tomorrow. The information furnished was
not efficiently clear to permit him to decide In any
case what his duty was. 81 shall take these re-
ports homo with me aud pray over them" he said,
for want to act justly, both toward the hotel
people and toward the public"
None of the reports contained expressions OK
opinion on tho part of the examiners. and none OK
the written statemaats implied lack of safety.
As he looked over the plans Mr.. Esterbrook marked
a few points where he thought ireescapes ought TO
be placed He considered the plan of one hotel adj.
mirablo except that. the starways were near the
elevator shafts In case OF danes in the shafts he
thou ght il would be difficult for persons in the
upper stories of The building 10 escape. Ii would
be safer he believed, TO place fire escapes on the
outside of the building. he marked places for fire.
escapes on the front OF one OF the hotels be-
cause the plan indicated that the occupants of front
rooms in the building would not be safe In case or
fre ne hotel seemed
be badly arranged, so that inmates not thoroughly
acquaint ed with the house light become confused
in trying to escape from IL. Just how the trouble
could be remedicd he could not decide at once lls
said that he would study each plan separately ana
carefully and probably he would change his MIND
in some cases before ne wrote out formal notices.
The Inspector said also that in case which pnz
zled him he thought he would make personal In
specton. although Inc could Judge from plan, as .
rule as well If he 50 the bGilding.
Neither Horace nor Lewis Leland Of the Sturie-
want House. could be found last night, but Nh
Fuller, Of the hrm OF Wethernee u ruler, owners
of the Buckingham Hotel, said to Tribune re-
porter: cannot believe that any report made TO
MIR. E,terbrook can contain any erltlol on tho
Buckingham Hotel. One of Mr. Esterbrooks men
was here Yesterday and made careful examina-
lion Of the house aud also copied q drawing OF
its plan. He made no SUGGESTIONS Ion critso,s 70
whstever. Ii there Is any dissatisfaction
whatever il will be news to me- When this
house was put up the Board of Underwriters were
informed aud their recommendations taken, and
during its construction their examiners were here
every week Ii has always had the approval of the
Board as is shown by the fact that IS considered
one of the safest risks in town Their inspectors
were here again when we insured our furniture ana
we placed II at premium Of one-half OF one per
cent, which you know Is a very low rate
II. Z. Billings, the proprietor OF the Merchants
Hotel said To TRIBUNE reporter last night when
asked about the visit or the examiners; Two OLD
men, about sixty Years Of age. called on Thursday
to oxam no my house. l showed them the principal
parts and Told them to go just where they hked.
The consequence was they went, believe; lhto
made lAS IN A ulp
constructed diagrams to explain their hsntes
What conclusions they ieached don't know. nor
dad ask them. l feel perfectly sure, however,
that they have no fault 20 find, because every
once in a lille my house has been examined ana
the reports have always been satisfactory lOn sec.
the house is built OF brick and right through me
middle OF it from cellar TO garrett solid brick
wall In case of tro on either side OF this wall the
inn ates could escape to the other side. The inner
partitions are of lath aud plaster and none are OF
wood. have 100 sleeping rooms, aud the mouse -
heated throughout by steam 80 there are no hres
upstairs. Tho me ans of exit are ample. There are
three wide stairways from top 10 bottom one runs
through from the r0ol TO the cellar another iIom
tho roof 90 the street. and another from the ROOF 70
tho office floor. have outside fire cscape,for 40
not think shat necessary in view OF the three sIa
ways and the middle brick wall The halls arg
wide enough for all practical purposes, and ieei
sure that in case OF re my guests would ash1 an
difficulty in reaching the street. Two watehuen
arc constantly on duty, anu the utmost care
taken to prevent accidents. There never has been
care can prevent II, there never will DO one"
George Ruckert, proprietor of the Summit hoss..
said :" was not ut home when the eNanilIhess
called 10 see nv house the other day, but ms CLERK
showed them every attention and l believe they
made thorough examination. My house was eA.
was satisfied with every thng. and suggested no IN
provemeuts. What report mas been made py ,Iss
men who have made this survey OF course can
saw For my part, however am glad that the s,e
examinations are being made. My house Is Dql,s
| of brick throughout. j have ffty-eisht seeplns
rooms all Of which are heated by steam that Is gen
Grated In cellars under the sidewalk Tho halls arc
roomy and they lead TO three means OF exit. Ih-
side the building there is wide staircase when eA
tends from the garrett to the street, while ou,sas
| the building there is o fire escape. Besides these
| means Of escape there are doors which open on
| the roof of the adjoining building A wato1.
man il always on hand and my honse u
Ee, or closed Upon tho top of the house there Is
| big tank which is kept full Of water. anu p POs
from IL connect with every h0or In fact, consooA
| mo hoUsa tectly ira prO0f.H