New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-27
FIREPROOP ARHORIFS.

An armory with frowning granite walls. but
so fitted and equipped within that It contains
large quantities Of quick burning stuff not thor
oughly protected against flames is a hollow
sham. What confidence can be felt in such a
structure in times Of disorder? Suppose that
band OF rioters were prowling about seeking
to spread disaster and ruin and TO overcome
the forces of the law! Have not conspirators
against the public peace received a lesson of
significance to them in the wonderfully rapid
destruction Of the headquarters OF the list Regi-
ment and of other National Guard organizations
In Park-ave.? With what appalling swiftness
the fire raced through that building. which
looked so massive n citadel on the outside and
was mere tinderbox inside its stately bull
warks, Who would have thought II possible that
such castlelike fortress could burn so fast and
could contain much inhammable material
that the great waves of fire went soaring up
hundreds or feet, lighting the skies so that the
confagration could be seen for many a mile?
What sort of a stronghold of defence against
a mob would such a structure so crammed with
food for flames, turn out TO be I'm time of
troubleF Rioters could easily set adjoining
buildings on fire. and then, II we are to Judge
from the calamity OF last week not only would
the armory become roaring volcano with
deadly crater, but the most important and valu-
be in peril
Is 1t not time, then, for a thorough official in
vestigation Of the condition OF every armory in
this city and State, and in the entire country? ?
or what real value for the protection Of our
communities are armOrles which are ruined by
IRE so quickly as was that one in Park-ayp 4?
mat armory was not only destroyed but II was
the agent OF destruction outside Of its own
walls. The lives which We're sacrificed in the
Park Avenue Hotel would not have been lost
but for the burning of the armOry. Even on
the theory that the hotel did not catch fire from
the storm Of fiery hail which beat upOn II from
the other side of the avenue, even on the theory
that thieves used oil to start the flames and the
smoke inside the hotel in order to plumber the
occupants, 1T is evident the villains would have
mad no chance for arson or for robbery but for
the confagraton in the armory
Is there any good reason why the CITY and
the State and the National Government should
not act TO make every armOry over which they
exercise control more secure against fire. and
| TO prevent the building Of any such structures
hereafter except with the most thorough safe
guards? Surely it is possible to use ireprOofinp
preparations upon the woodwork the furniture
ana n large part Of the fittings Of our armories
and to see to it that careful a watch is kent
up at all times in every part of these big build
lngs that the first danger from flames either
from the outside or the inside, will be discoy-
cred promptly Firemen are on duty in our
theatres at every performance Certain rules
as 10 curtains and scenery, as to lights and
heatng apparatus, as to hose and standpipes
and water reservoirs for quenching flames are
enforced in our houses Of entertainment Sbould
we not be as careful of our armories as of orr
piayhouses! Have we been hitherto?