Evening journal., 1892-12-27
wooo MUST GO.

NNOOG N0RN 49,
Every single house that has burned |
has been protest against the use Of
oonbustible building materials; every |
great conhacration has been an object |
lesson. But mankind learns slowly and |
all the more slowly, it seems, in the most |
highly civilized, most prudent. and most !
luxurious communities.
In spite Of the two awful calamities
twenty years ago in Chicago which
startled and shocked the civilized world,
we have had many similar but smaller
calanities since. Within several weeks
there have been disastrous fires where,
by all principles Of science, economy and
prudence. we should not have expected
fires at all. There was an awful and
costly fire in Brooklyn, burning several
blocks; and Just previous to
that. stnl more awful and dis
astrous fire in Milwaukee, which
devastated large part of the city in
which the greatest stocks Of the most val
liable merchandise was stored In the
city Of Philadelphia two fine newspaper
buildings have been destroyed and at
Newport. the expensive summer resi-
dence of a New York millionaire was
sent waiting upwards by the pitiless
flames
These calamities, where they
were least expected, where they
should not have occurred at all,
have moved Gordon B. Marlborough,
perhaps, to write for the current number
Of the Engineering Magazine paper de-
manding that "wood must go, because
its use as building material is incon-
sistent with good architecture. "
f. seems strange phenomenon that
the civilized and scientific world Of to-
day should need to learn such a lesson
as that from primevol savagcs. But
here we are, building splendidly
equipped newspaper Offices, without
taking as much precaution against con
hagration as the aboriginal Astecs exer.
cised centuries before Cortez ventured
into Mexico Mr.. lSimborough says:
The superiority Of marble over all
other material for interior decoration
may be taken for granted. Doubtless
the expense of the finest colored marble
Is great; but IL would be In better taste
to use some Of the money expended ON
showy exteriors in It's purchase and prep
aration than 20 inclose within snowy
exteriors tawdry and cheap interior de
coration It is simply vulgar to save
money In the interiors of buildings fol
the purpose of producing more snowy
/ hn anfH fhann faft.
that the consideration of economy iusti-
fies the use of wood The consideration
Z of economy in fact demands it's banish
ment Fire-prooing devices wouly
be unnecessary We're the usl
Of wood abandoned, and thi
would cause a very considerable
saving. A properly proportional ex
, penditure within and without, and
{ building built without any combustibll
material, would be more economical than
an improperly proportioned expenditure
imperilled by inhammable woodwork.
Mr. Marlborough places the greater par
Of the responsibility for combustibl
buildings on the architects. He mention
tile terra Gotta, marbled slate, and ever
plaster Of Paris as all better material
for interior decoration than wood, eve
on the score Of economy. They may nc
? be as cheap as wood, but they ar
I. cheap enough TO be made more prohtabl
: than wood after this material has lost it
respectability.
But even on the score of cheapness.
man would do we'll 10 build Of incon
z bustible materials. He can build sma
r Ter rooms in a smaller house, so as I
u use less materials A fre-proof privat
residence ought TO be worth almos
u double the value Of an nnammable hous,
q simply for his peace Of mind and for Oh
if safety Of a mans family. But the valt
rt Of a warehouse. filed with goods. can
sr partially estimated in dollars paid out f.
the cost of insurance.
4 The insurance, howev T, Is never ful
a Even Il it were fun, IL could never P
s imburse an honest man for the loss
ie merchandise, and for the interruption
ga business that ensues after fire
~ No general reform can be suggests
on for this dreadful evil of inaammab
of materials; it could not OF would not
ar enforced, if a suggestion were mad
99i But every architect who plans and eve
,st man who pays for house might do
he that lies in their power to institute
Re- private reform