New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-09
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL

SOME LESSONS OF THE BIG FIRE.
F1REPRooF BUILDINGS THAT ARE NOT FIRE
PROOF.
To the Editor OF The Tribune:
Sir: The recent terrible fire at Broadway ana
Bleecker-st has furnished fresh evidence OF the
utter Inability OF the modern reproof 90 business
edice OF the giraffe order OF architecture 10 serve
even a temporary obstacle TO The progress OF
conhagration. That such buildings would be found
in the day OF trial absolutely defcien; In ire-resst
ing qualities was known TO every competent engl-
neer in America when their construction was first
thrust upon the community by careless or dshon-
est engineers. more DESTROYS OF pocketing large
commissions and OF getting up in the world than
OF executing thoroughly honest and enduring worn
Yet some OF the very who are responsible Tor
these Afteen-story pasteboard and rattan abomina-
lions are shouting the loudest in demanding the
licensing OF architects" trusting TO the magnitude
of their practice find themselves among the
elect" when such system is established
Much OF the present cheap jack" construction
Of lofty buildings is due TO the ignorance or lnsa
tae greed OF their owners, who. In their desire 10
build as near heaven they own. consult designers
who will speak pleasant things unto them OF the
great economy OF their ideas in general and OF the
specal efforts they will make in carrying those
IDEAS into practice in the building they are about
TO erect, plus more "bosh' multiplied by 'tary 10
the same effect. The result OF such a conference
freproof building" which are approved by the
client and a. a matter OF course plus influence
by the Department OF Building (such has been the
practice but Il Is gratifying 70 know that under
the present administration plans are really critical
ly examined), and building IS erected mat In a
few years Is utterly consumed. and haii a score
know that Chief Bonner has said that he would
not again send his men into so-caHed nrrptoOl
bulldngsD any one OF whose lives are worth more
10 the community than that or the Designing Hlhn
who bv IFS combustible work In reality planned
the confiagration and all It's attendant miserles.
After the ruin is wrought. the owner pockets the
assures his suffering tenants and the public that
he Thought the building strictly hreproot
The fact that owners desire 10 insure such build
ings proves that they know they are not PROOF
against FIRE; furthermore the landlords OF these
eudo-dreproOf structures exact rent based upon
their asserted hreprOOf qualities. and IN We" OF
this IL is possible that the landlords may he legal
ly responsible for the loss OF his tenant caused by
Tn, recent connagration also furnishes evidence
OF the danger OF explosive compounds being FORMED
hy the union OF unknown and unknowable maten
ais under the influence OF intense heat The ex-
ploslon this fire is only one more added 70 tne
issue October 2s) OF The Tribune called attention
10 the possibilities OF fire attended by an expo
sion IN the buildings under the land spans OF me
Brooklyn Bridge. That such an explosion IL posi-
bic at anv large fire Is abundantly proved. and Ia
case Of such a fire under the Bridge It's destruction
would be imminent. In view or the present dangers
from FIRE - that most important structure, II is
very questionable whether any responsible syndicate
OF Insurance companies could be round VINO, ior
any reasonable premium. would undertake us IN
OF the consequences OF the destruction OF this
thOroughfare-a grand~r construction than ever the
world saw before uniting two ctes-Whcn na\
come to be 80 important link In the lives OF the
nonulafiOu II serves II is unnecessary 20 date, 'Or
II is self-evdcnt that were the Bridge destroyed
the remaining means OF communication wouId ne
Vest New-Brighton Staten Island. Nov. :. 1895.