The Portland daily press., 1884-04-22
NEW WOODEN BUILDINGS.


The committee on new wooden buildings
gave public hearing in the Aldermens cham
ber last evening. A number of well known
citizens and insurance men were present. Al
derman Noyes, ,schairman of the committee,
called the meeting to order and read the draft
OF the proposed new ordinance which has al
ready been published. He stated that the
committee would be willing to hear from any
who desired to address it, and would answer
questions concerning the provisions of the or
dinance, If possible.
Mr. Edward Jordan asked why it was pro-
posed to single out section of the city by this
new ordinance and leave the erection of wood
en- buildings in the remaining portion of the
city to the Mayor and Aldermen as before?
The chair said tae present condition of the
regulation was most unfortunate, as it was
merely dead letter. The area bounded by
Commercial, Cumberland, State and India
streets had been selected chiefly because the
large stocks of goods and GENERAL merchan-
disc were stored there.
Mr.. Jordan suggested that the proposed or.
dinance would prevent mech anfcs and labor
ing men from erecting houses for themselves
in the greater portion of four wards of the
city, and he did not believe in the ordinance
Ii such change was to be made the area
should be extended so as to be co-extensiye
with the city limits.
Mr.. Freedom n. Nash thought great injury
would be done to the city by the proposed law,
and he agreed with the views of Mr. Jordan
Mr.. Leroy Sanborn spoke to the same effect
a AIdarnnn N N0uao uta tod hot
cost of brick building over a wooden one
was about twenty-five per cent as it was figur-
ed by the committee in the case of building an
engine house at Peaks Island. He laid map
before the committee showing the situation of
buildings throughout the city.
Mr.. William Allen, Jr., said he understood
this meeting was for general expression of
opinion. His article on the subject, printed
some weeks ago, had met with the approval of
many large real estate owners in the city. This
was not for the advantage of the underwriters,
as larger rates meant larger returns for insur-
auce agents in commissions. He looked at
this matter simply from the standpoint of
citizen. The erection of the Warwick rink
had increased rates in that vicinity largely.
Where the rate ON dwelling houses in that
vicinity had been per cent. on four years it
was now per cent. on one.
Mr.. Jordan asked several questions OF Mr.
Allen in reference to insurance rates, and what
determined underwriters in fixing them.
w ID. Little, Esq, referred to the fact that
limits had been put upon the erection OF
wooden buildings in other cities many wears
ago, and that the present restrictions in this
direction in other places were very stringent
We are at the present time more compact in
wooden buildings than at the time of the great
fire. Underwriters who visit this CITY are
alarmed at the sight of the large wooden
buildings erected here during the last few
years, and have given warning that in case
this continues the rates will be necessarily in
creased. Hardly anything of this kind could
be done without some injury to the interest of
few, and the general good must necessarily
determine us. In 1886, when he was in the
City Council, an ordinance very similar to
the proposed one was passed, and was enforced
until Mr. f. o. j. Smith evaded it BY enlarg.
ing wooden building he owned. The ordi-
nance was soon after repealed, and since that
time their erection had been without limit.
Wooden roofs and cutters largely spread our
great fire in 1866. His view of this matter was
that of citizen, and he had no desire for any
action save such as should result in the better
protection of our homes. BE instanced the
dangerous condition of certain streets, such as
Federal, Market, Preble, and the rear of Mar
ket Square, and insisted that in case of high
wind after fire had started in these places
the fire department would be almost power
less. He thought the time had come when
something should be done, unless we desired a
fresh confagration. He advocated the matter
only to show the danger to which we were
exposed.
Mr.. Jordan said he considered the proposed
change would benefit the greater real estate
owners alone. There was class between the
rich and the poor, and he believed this class
would be worsted in case of the adoptiop of
this ordinance. The result would be that the
poor men would have to sell their property in
the centre of the city, and move to Wards /
and z He had the feeling that the area
should be extended and embrace the entire
city.
Mr.. J. a. Coffin said he believed the idea of
Mr.. Jordan was good one, and that it would
be advantageous to have an ordinance embrac-
ing the whole territory of the city.
Spencer Rogers, Esq, remarked that the
best argument for this ordinance was the fact
OF the adoption of similar ones by our sister
cities and none of these cities were built more
compactly, and most of them not as compactly
as our own. A brick building was cheaper
and would pay the difference in fifteen years.
1t was time for such an ordinance, and its pro
visions should be strict and SO framed as not
to admit of evasion. A good building ordi-
nance was required, one that was certain and
capable of being enforced.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Rogers remarks,
as nothing further was presented, the commit
tee at o'clock adjourned the hearing sine die.