Wichita eagle., 1888-08-03
STORAGE WAREHOUSE.
A MANAGER CHATS A LITTLE ABOUT
THE BUSINESS.

A Hundred and Fifty Millions Worth Of
Property Stored in New York City Ware
houses-Summer Customers-Removins
Furniture-Systema:ic Work.
The storage warehouse for the safe
keeping of household furniture and arti
cles of value of every description has be-
come one OF the permanent institutions Of
this city. 1t is said that the amount Of
property now in the custody of these
storage warehouses viii foot up into the
neighborhood of $150O00 600 These
warehouses are almost numberless, and
are situated in nearly every section OF
Manhattan Island. especially where the
population is of such class that makes
their presence practically necessity. and
they are of nearly every kind and quality
to suit the surroundings. Some of them
are absolutely freproof others claim to
be freproof. but have collapsed In a
greater or less degree when put to the
crucial test. while the third class makes
little pretension in that direction. trust
ing to chance and certain amount Of
careful watching to prevent their destruc-
ton by the flames
1t is at this season Of the year that the
capacity of the storage warehouse is
tested to the utmost, for it is during the
months OF summer that so many city
houses are closed while the occupants arc
away, and in vast number of Instances
the owners prefer that their furniture
and all their belongings should be cared
for In the safest possible place. So to
speak the storage warehouse has become
fgC h.
finest household goods Of the city.
Through the courtesy of it's manager, q
reporter was permitted to examine one Of
the representative storage warehouses; Of
this city The building was apparently,
as indestructible as human ingenuity
could devise There was nothing in sight
for the flames to feed upon, even If in
some miraculous way they should chance
to gain admission. for there ere visible
only stone. cement, iron and steel on
walls. floor and ceiling. The various
compartments in which were kept the
thousands Of dollars worth of goods en-
trusted to the care Of the propr1etors
were all separated from the others so
completely that fire in one could not
communicate with its neighbor.
What people do you number among
your patrons?" asked the reporter. when,
after tour Of the building. the almost
luxurious Office Of the manager was
reached.
do you wish me to give you the names
OF our most prominent customers? Well,
Iregret that 1t is against our rules TO do
So You can see that 1t would not be fair
to divulge the names of those who favor
US with their patronage, and. besides, the
legal complications which might result
would be likely TO be serious.
why do the rich store their goods
when they have houses of their own in
which to keep themr'
well. for various reasons. Many pre-
fer to leave their goods with as whenever
they go to the country or seazhore know
ing that they will DO safer than in their
own houses. while others are almost
forced to do so from the stress Of circun-
stances. have in my mind one of tho
most prominent brokers On Wall street.
who sold his house q week or two ago. IL
was sudden transaction On his part, and
he had made no provision for the disposal
OF his furniture. 30 he Immediately sent
1t to US. Another similar case was tia.
Of the wife Of one Of the officers Of tho
Chemical bank.
The number Of people who have gone
to the seashore, to the mountains or to
Europe this summer has been something
wonderful. and within my experience ]
have seen nothing like Il. and. fancy.
but . small proportion OF the pleasure
seekers have already gone There are
many OF our patrons who do not store al
their household effects during their three
or four months Of absence from town. but
send rs their silverware. bric-a-brac,
paintings, bronzes. etc. fer which we have
especially prepared compartments
The age has advanced wonderfully with
regard TO the facility for removing furni- ]
ture. 30 that In Q measure the annoyance
and loss which was oocaa3onsd under tbs
old order Of things 10 q. q minimum now.
Let me Illustrate Suppose tina. you lad |
suddenly made Up your mind % leave ths ]
city for az extended absence tomorrow
morning, sod had no time TO attend TO /
the removal Of your goods today. You
would have Only 70 lea-o your order 1
with Us ss 20 the tine when you
would be ready 70 have ycrr furniture I
taken away, and our vans would b as I
your house n .hs morning. You oocid /
"a: your breakfast In peace and comfort, |
Jour servants would 10. hsvs even
20 FAKE up tho beds and tho roonsne
after you had started On your journey cur
worxnen would b taking up yozr car
pets. removing your pictures from The
walls and carvfuIly packing away your
eric-a-brsc- In few hours your house
would bs Absolutely aennded q every
thing. II yo0 80 desired. which would s.
safely stored away until your return A
day o. two before your horosountn1 yvu
cooid telegraph yocf expectsd arrival and
the voxk Of taking back ycar furniture
would b carried forward - speedily -
when !: wsa sakrn away. ETp~-iereed
haads voud lay your easpets. While real
artists Il their work wo1iA hang your