New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-08
FIRE IND FLOOD.

Close upon the Conemaugh catastrophe COMES
tho nerys ~ another vast loss of material pos
sessions, happily, however, not comolneu "1'h
a great destruction of human life. IL Is prop
able that only few persons were deVoured Oy
the flames which have we'll nigh swept oeattle
out of existence, but the oblteration OF properly
is extraordinary. 1t seems almost lncreuiDio
that the actual loss can equal the first estlnae
of 800 600, 900, and the later report giving
the loss as 81, 900, 900, is probably much nearer
e.tutb. But though the early reports OK
acoora,ed the facts, there is no room for doubt
that an overwhelming disaster has befallen the
n,etronolis of the Puget Sound country, and
tbot another demand is made upon the SYM
pathy of the country.
The conditions left by the fire and those left
nv the food are very different in most respects
and especially in respect to the means OF re-
cuperaton. A far larger proportion OF the loss
in the former case has fallen upon those who
are able to bear it than in the latter. 1t may
reasonably be assumed that Seattle was pretty
we'll insured in stable companies, for its citizens
are conspicuously thrifty and intelligent; and
moreover, in any case, a large part OF the prop
erty destroyed belonged to corporations ana
the uninsured loss will be distributed among
their stockholders living elsewhere but IL
should not be forgotten that assurances are al
justed slowly, and that there must be- al Ihe
best, a great burden of temporary distress 10
is not unlikely that the country will be con-
fronted with another appeal for assistance 70
which n response will be made, less bount-
ful Int not less generous than the COnemaugh
disaster has evoked. 1t is fortunate that these
foII nj hn Machining
summer. II they had come in freezing weather
the suffering would have been vastly greater
and the work Of restoration incomparaoly moro
difficult.
II will be necessary to wait for fuller details
before attempting TO fix any part OF the re-
sponsibiiity for the Seattle confagration, except
nossibIy as to one point. The dispatches say
that the water supply was exhausted within
couple Of hours, and that thereafter the flames
had free course. 1t appears to have been
short sighted policy which was contented to
maintain so small measure OF defence against
fire. 1t is impossible to say at present whether
the CONFEDERATION was fought Sldlfully at the
outset and while the water lasted. A good deal
Of courage and energy seems to have been
shown, for the dispatches speak Of attempts to
which. though they proved futile were at least
jealous Moreover the result indicates that in
addition to high wind and large supply OF
infammable material generally distnb nted'
these mysterious atmospheric conditions which
give an irresistible impetus to fire were present
in this instance, as they were at Chicago ana
Boston.
How urgent a demand for assistance the peo-
ple of Seattle will feel themselves compelled
to make it is too soon TO say. The volume OF re-
lief now gathering for the Pennsylvania suffer
ers is so magnificent that there is chance that
some part of it may prove to be supernuous
In view of the possible necessities OF Seattle
we suggest that those who may hereafter con-
tribute to the various funds for the flooded
districts give the committees discretion to send
au,, rrerpended balances to the victims Of the