New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-26
NO CLASH WITH STEWART.
FIRE UNDERWRITERS SAID TO HAVE
FOUND DEFECTS IN PARK
AVENUE HOTEL

Perez NJ Stewart Superintendent of Buildings.
said yesterday that there had been no clash be-
tween the Fire Department and himself following
Investigations of the fatal fire in the Park Avenue
Hotel on Saturday morning. The impression had
got abroad. he said, that there had been such a
clash account OF the absence of fire escapes in
the hotel. but there foundation for such
belief. Speaking for the Department of Buildings,
he said:
''It has never been the policy Of former heads
OF this department to insist fire escapes fire.
proof buildings when they contained proper num-
Der OF stairways constructed of iron freproof
material In addition TO the reinspection of the
public places regards fire escapes, have given
particular instructions to the elevator inspectors
to see to It that not only in hotels and apart
ment houses but in buildings Of all kinds, the bot
tom OF the elevator shafts shall be made absolute
" free from the accumulation OF grease dripplngs
from machinery. I have also instructed them 10
TO II that all guides kept as free from
possible. In addition 10 these particular
instructions. have called their attention TO Section
3d. OF the Building Code which says:
lin every non-hreproof building used
pied as a hotel in which there is an elevator not
inclosed IN reproof shafts. such elevator shall be
inclosed in suitable walls. constructed and
ranged in this code IS required for elevator
shafts"
UNDERWRITERS FIND DEFECTS
II was stated yesterday that the official survey
OF the Park Avenue Hotel by the New-York Board
OF Fire Underwriters mentioned defects such
interior partitions OF lath and plaster" and
freight elevator in lath and plaster shaft 20 show
that the hotel building not up to modern
hreproof requirements In consequence of the sur
vey. II said the insurance companies demand
ed a rate OF insurance the building considerably
higher than that charged IN modern freproof
structures.
II was said yesterday that the watch of John r.
Iverson OF the victims Of the fire at the Park
Avenue Hotel. which reported missing by
II. p. Newcomb at the coroner's office on Monday
safe at the Office OF the hotel. and had not
been missing at all. The Rev. William st. Elmo
Smith. fire chaplain. apparently was the official
who was by Mr.. Newcomb 10 put Mr. liver
sons watch in his pocket The chaplain said yes
terday that he working over Mr. 1verson, hop
ing to restore him to consciousness, when the
watch fell out Of the pocket He was asked 10
place the watch I'm his pocket for safety. he
said. and he did Later he handed the watch
One incienf Of me 6 1,.u WHICH had nor been told
before was related yesterday by one OF the guests
about $50 o'clock in the morning dTIrng the great
est Confusion Of the fire. said the guest "a Young
man passed through the room. inquiring IL any
Course ali were delighted with the OPPORTUNITY
offered but remarked that had no money The
send the messages anyway. as he had dear old
anxious for tdings from him under similar cir
cumstanees. One telegram he so kindly sent for
ase9 w aReT naq his Ga[ea f4f news OF the
know how greatly his kindness appreciated
INVESTIGATION CONTINUED.
Coroner Goldenkranz yesterday continued his in
vestigation into the fire in the Park Avenue Hotel
by examining George Ross. chief OF the Eighth
Battalion OF the Fire Department: Captain Dono-
hue, OF Hook and Ladder Company No. Z: Perez
NJ Stewart Superintendent of Buildings: In
spectors Miller. OConnor. Sanderson and Louis OF
the Department OF Buildings; Mr.. Sinclair the
night porter of the Park Avenue Hotel; Fire Mar
shall Freel. Policeman Thomas Gust, Martin J.
Coye. head porter of the hotel and several guests
Mr. Coyle testified that he called from his
bed three-quarters of hour before the fire In
the hotel by Manager Reed. who ordered him 10
go from room 10 room. arouse the guests and tell
them that they must leave the hotel He said he
had started on the seventh floor OF the hotel and
knocked on doors until he reached the second
Moor When he got that far the flames were
mounting high In the elevator shaft, and he had
10 Jump from the hotel to own life He
testified that there We're only three fire extiuguish
ers In the hotel. and that one them was ONT Of
order. " "