New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-05

could only let II burn until IT came down 70 the
stories within their reach was borne out most
amply by the outcome. With the appliances
now at the command OF the Fire Department
the same course Of action will have to be fol-
lowed when the next skyscraper exhibits ten
dency to go up IN smoke. The constructors OF
buildings in these days have outgrown the in
ventor Of fre-fghting machinery. Their most
lofty conceits are now beyond the reach OF the
water tower.
The test also had the effect OF putting the
makers Of so-called nreproof materials on their
mettle The fire that damaged the Home Life
Building furnished the most conclusive test Of
the modern hreproof structure that has yet been
afforded The comparatively rapid manner IN
which the interior fittings and furnishings OF
the building were destroyed drew out various
suggestions for minimizing the amount Of wood
material used in the construction Of such build
ines. The experts were generally agreed that
iron or steel or some metal should be much more
widely employed in the construction OF the
doors. window castings. elevator shaftings and
other fittings in the construction Of which wood Is
still so much used The Office furnishings that the
occupant Of room or suite OF rooms brings
in will still be, Of course, what he chooses TO
make them, but there has been a general cry
for the employment in fireproof buildings or
the various and manifold metal fittings which
factories turning out in such useful ana
graceful forms nowadays.
Now that the reconstruction OF the Home
Life Building is well under way, II IS giving the
thousands Of observers who daily note the prog
ress that is being made something new to think
about in connection with the structure OF the
modern skyscraper. The reconstruction Is be
ing carried precisely as the building was
first put together, for that phrase describes the
process more accurately than II would 10 say
precisely It was first built" except that
everything is done inverseiy. The modern bust
ness building is put together like a house OF
trick puzzle blocks. Every piece or stone or
metal has its exact place in the whole place
that has been provided for and marked out from
the beginning. The position which each piece Is
to occupy is carefully marked upon II, and each
piece goes exactly into the place foreordained
for il by the architect.
So II is in the rcconstructive process OK
emplided I'm the case 81 the Home Life Building.
FIRE are not disturbed at all. The sidewalk Is
Z covered by a heavy wooden tunnel that enectu-
ally protects pedestrians from any chance RAJ
ing fragments. Down the northern side OF the
building upon the plot where stood the building
occupied 10y Rogers Poet d Co. runs a large
chute Through this all the rubbish removed
from the burned floors finds its way TO the
ground. The heavy stones. disfigured and
crumbled bv the fire are removed one 10y one
and lowered to the ground level The iron
beams and Orders that were warped and twisted
by the flames are removed in like manner Tho
architects have already chosen now pieces Of
stone and metal to take thu places Of the old.
and these are being put into the vacant places
by the workmen employed. II is exactly Ike
taking down "A house Of cards and putting 1t up
again. The simplicity Of the method makes II
a spectacle that good many people take In
terest IN watching every day. The rebuilding
Of the old-style structure was never so absorb
ing sight for the reason that the operation
complex that II was impossible FOR the
inexpert 10 tell just what was being done at
ern skyscraper Is as easy Of comprehension as
the laying 81 paving stones in the street