Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-09
snec,a, From a STAFF Correspondent.

Special From STAFF Correspondent
BALTIMORE, Md, December 9, 1904
The great Baltimore fire of 1901 has
burned itself into history, taking rank
with the most disastrous confiagrations
known to the annals of the world. Notable
equally for the stupendous financial damage
and the absence of human fatalities, this
bliehting storm of flame will occupy a
UNIQUE niche in the happenings of the new
century.
Baltimore awoke this second morning or
the fire to a full realization OF Its loss
The gratifying news had gone abroad
during the night that the onward march OF
the blaze had been effectually checked.
There was not human soul in the monu-
mental city but breathed easier at this
welcome news.
So MANY conflicting stories had been cir
culated during the progress OF the nre'
however. some even inclined to doubt the
favorable bulletins. But the night hse1
gave all the reinsurance that could be de-
sired
The sky was no longer brilliant with the
lurid glare that had made Sunday night
season of terror. Only here and there were
to be seen dots of flame. The reiief or the
city when it finally became known the fire
was under control cannot be imagined by
those not in touch with the situation.
During Sunday, Sunday night and the
morning hours of Monday these people saw
and heard of the terrible pathway cut
through the city. They had seen and had
been told that their fire department, aug
mented by the most modern apparatus and
picked crews from neighborlng cities. had
been utterly and lamentably unable to
cope with the flames.
People Were Nervous Over Prospects.
1t is not difficult to surmise, then, that
people living in even the most remote sec
tions of the city had begun to feel nervous
Already the extent of the fire seemed in
credible Coupled with this was the pre-
diction that change in the direction of the
wind would result in havoc which would
end no one could tell where.
The people of Baltimore stood in prayerful
awe Of this whitening element that had
taken such remorseless possession of the
most valuable portion Of their city.
Doubts and fears were fostered by the diff
ficulty experienced in getting authentic
news at first hand from the fire zone. This
territory was separated from the city proper
by an impa ssable Gordon of implacable
pickets. 1t was impossible for the ordinary
citizen to learn the exact state of affairs
This condition gave rise to numberless con-
nicting and sometimes exaggerated reports
But the night, whose oncoming had been
dreaded earlier in the day, brought conf
dence. The sky told its own story to the
people-a story they could appreciate and
believe A godfearing and thankful people
went to bed.
Estimating the Loss.
This morning. the fire TO longer menace,
these people turned to the inevitable and
awful reckoning-the counting of the cost
Those who attempted to reach a definite
estimate as to the total loss soon gave up in
despair 1t will be weeks before anything
like a reliable aggregate be had. The
figures quoted today range all the way from
SG5. .OOO, ,OO0 to $250,O00, 600. with no one ap-
parently able to strike satisfactory aver
age.
Comparisons with the Chicago fire of 1873
are on the tongues of every one. Some say
the local fire surpasses the pyrotechnic
achievement of the windy city, while others
who profess to be acquainted with the fig
ures of both declare that Baltimore's calam-
ity will not approach the financial loss
which accompanied Chicago's visitation by
many millions of dollars. Now that the
blow has fallen and there is no escape from
the consequences it would seem that the
average Baltimorean, always jealous of his
city's interests and institutions, is anxious
that the Chicago record will prove to have
been broken when the official count is made
and confirmed. The Baltimore conhagration
would thus be distinguished above all the
great fires the world has witnessed.
Over $4,000 Out of Work
The counting of the immediate damage,
enormous as it is. reflects only in part the
loss wrought by the thirty hours ordeal of
fire. 1t is estimated that between $4,000
and $1,000 people have been thrown out of
employnsent. A low estimate places the
average wage of these workers at $40 each
per week. On this basis fully half a million
of dollars lost each week. This condition
will continue for an indefinite period. These
people are practically impoverished. Al
though they do not feel the pinch of hun
ger as yet, they are largely of the class
that lives from week to week, with no cap
ital or surplus to tide over the serious
emergency that is upon them. Many In
dustries may not be revived for years to
come.
In the meantime these poor people must
i've 1t is In the direction of their relief
that the city and state officials are turning
their attention, and it is expected that to-
night in Baltimore and Annapolis proyf-