Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-11
WALLS FALLING.
The Ruins of Burned Baltimore
Buildings Being Raced.
City Resuming Normal Conditions as
Before Great Fire.
Baltimore Decides to Take Advantage
of Generous Offers.

clear. today, after a conference at the
Felvidere Hotel between Mayor Nc
Lane 4 special joint committee of the
Legislature and a formidable delega-
ton of representative business men.
This conference was arranged with 4
view Of meeting in L practical way the
cxigency which this afflicted commune
ty faces. Besides the mayor there We're
present influential members Of the
state law-making body, the board of
public works, including State Treas
urer NanDiver. Il dozen bank presi-
dents, former Gov. Smith. United States
SeratOr-elect Isador Rayner and sew
eral leading citizens.
The supreme question to be decided
was that of calling upon the national
government for soldiers to take the
places of the two state militia regi-
ments now doing police duty in the
burned district. The constitution of
Maryland requires that no such request
can be made of the President except by
authority of the state Legislature. The
Legislative committee was present to
hear views OH that .oint.
1t required only q brief discussion to
| find that everyone present was of the
| opinion that it is not Il time for senti-
| mcnt as to the ability of the state to
| take care of itself and United States
| soldiers were needed at once. On this
score il was shown that the militiamen
| are already much exhausted by their
| long continued sentry duties, that they
should be relieved in order that they
| may return to their vocations and that
| the militia on active duty is costing
the state $4,000 day.
Mayor McLane was particularly in
sistent that the efficient guarding of
the hundreds of millions of treasure
that lie buried beneath the shoulder
ing ruins called for the strong arm of
the Federal soldiers. The announce
| ment of the Legislative committee that
| it would recommend at once the imme-
diate passage OF the necessary resolu-
ton was received with great pleasure
and now that the Legislature has for
maliy acted there is every assurance
that a Gordon of regulars around the,
devasted region will inspire q feeling
of hopeful confidence. The President
tonight, is expressing great gratifica-
ton over the prospect of seeing Uncle
Sans men in blue doing police duty
over the ruined district.
Mayor McLane's announcement that
he will appoint an emergency commit
tee of citizens to act as an advisory
board to himself and other municipal
officials on all matters pertaining to
clearing away the ruins. enforcing of
sanitary regulations and issuing Of
building permits. is 4 great step for
ward in the way of putting the situa-
, ton upon a practicable businesslike
situation.
, Merchants and bankers have been
comforting. today. and the prevailing
! | conviction il that it will require the
= utmost vigilance to prevent the de-
, Election of Il considerable volume of
p commerce to Philadelphia and New
( York. 1t is believed here the situation
0 may be saved if the judgment of the
q real estate exchange should be veri-
v fed that temporary buildings can be
: erected within four months. That 4
g large percentage of the spring trade
viii be lost is inevitable, but wholesale
merchants are determined that the
percentage shall be as small as posi-
lb!e
. The opening. today, of the board
room by the Chamber of Commerce
land the receipt OF quotations, the UNI
n interrupted shipments OF grain car
6 goes, the certainty of State aid and
d the notification by some of the large
s insurance companies of their readi-
If ness to pay so PEI cent. on losses and
e the action of the Legislature is asking
$ for federal troops constitute n chair
: of incidents which have contributed
g materially to the restoration of pub
e lie confidence and cheerfulness.
Late this afternoon. Mayor McLane
reconsidered his previous determina-
ton to announce that he would not
l..ccept outside aid. On this subject he
Isad:
e The situation here does not now
# justify such action. There is no desti-
= tuition as yet. l cannot tell what may
- follow. We have n board of charities
= which looks after the citys destitute
= This board is in close touch with ell
the organized charities. An appropria-
ton is made annually for the purpose
of taking care of cases of restitution.
There are some funds on hand now and
: it may be that the State appropria-
$ ton will be sufficient. OF course. it
may be necessary to ask for outside
It financial aid. In the next few days l
81 will be in u better position to decide
a upon this matter. We have received
:. by contributions from various cities
n about $1,000. and additional offers of
II thousands of dollars have been made.
. The money received will be put aside
y until We can determine whether or not
i to ask for outside assistance"
Is There is no doubt that Baltimore has
= taken fresh courage. today. On all the
: streets abutting upon the desolated
s. districts signs have appeared on VIM
\ dows and over dcorways announcing
lie the temporary resumption of business.
"a Citizens have taken hold of the her
h culean task of resurrection with a will
t. that betokens complete success. The
&c perVading sentiment was well portray
" ed by Gov. Warfield, who said. today:
n Baltimore will rise gloriously from
ut her ashes.''
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