The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-30
AWAITING THE ADJUsTERs.
Schwabacher Fire O~ut-Reward to tn,
Firemen-Danxerous E~levatora.

Ftremen-Dangerous Elevators.
schwabscher Bros. & Co.'S building was
turned owe. TO the firm by the FIRE department
yesterday afternoon, but one liae OF hose con-
tinned 70 pour a stream OF water into it all day.
On taking possession, z. c. Nea;eider. the vice
president, mad holes bored through the floors
to let out the water. He Is now awaiting the
arrival OF the insurance adiustsrs, who arc on
their way from san Francisco aad will be here
today or tomorrow. They are Mr. wetzlar, an
independent adjuster; l. B.. Edwards, for Bal
four, Guthrie & Co., and NJ. Drifield, for the
Lancashire.
The wsshouts on the Northern Pacific road,
By delaying the arrival OF a large quantity Of
goods until after the fire, prevented the loss
from being $1,000 or $4,000 more than it is.
Some ten or twelve car loads OF this freight a.
rived yesterday and on Tuesday.
s. Aronson, secretary and treasurer OF the
firm, yesterday sent a check for $50 to Chief
Kellogg, of the fire department, together with
the following letter:
We take pleasure in handing you incIosed our
check for $50. to be applied 10 the relief fund of
your department. The calamity which has be-
fallen US yesterday has merely shown that the
esteem in which we held tbs Seattle fire depart
ment has not been MISPLACED by any means.
Chief Kellogg remarked yesterday that If IT
had not been for the elevator shaft, which car
rfed the flames TO every floor, the fire could
have been confined to the basement, and the
contents of the store saved. AN open elevator
shalt Is the best known contrivance for convey
ing the fire from the basement ID the roof ever
conceived by mortal man.. . said the chief. $50
quickly do the flames follow this natural alley
that. often before the alarm can be
turned in, the fire originating
In the basement or immediate floors
is carried to the roof. There is hardly q bust
ness or public building in this city without the
necessary elevator. some few are constructed
oil brick, but the greater number are simply
wooden enclosed shafts. The most disastrous
fires OF late years have been the result of these
contriyances, and nearly all cities have taken
action to modify aud control the danger there
from. In my last annual report l called the
attention OF the city council 10 this important
matter, and asked for such legislation as will
compel all persons having such dangerous eIe-
vators in their buildings 10 at once adopt some
one OF the safeguards which the experience of
other important cities has proved essential"
The report that Schwabacher Bros. & Co. had
a large quantity of explosives in The building is
considered groundiess by ID. A Spencer, who
said yesterday: There was fifty pounds of
gunpowder, but that was carried out. The in
surance company, of course, allowed cartridges
to be carried in stock, as they are not particu-
larry dangerous. But ii is ridiculous to suppose
that business men with the sagacity of the
Sehwabacher firm would, in order to save $25 a
year in carting, carry in that building their
stock OF powder and dynamite, and thus run
the risk OF losing ali their insurance money in
case q fire occurred"