Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-11
WALLS FALLING.
CONTINUED from page 10

Baltimore. Nd, Feb. 10.-This was
t another day of ceaSclesS LABOR on the
part OF the officials ana business men
Of crippled Baltimore. System has
brought out of chaos and intelligently
directed effort is rapidly bringing con-
dtions to temporary working basis.
The city's great loss has been sized up
and with cheerful pluck the labor of
rehabilitation has begun. Architects
are being consulted. labor arranged for
and already orders for structural ma
teral are moving forward.
While il is colder than could be de-
sired for comfort the sun shines
brightly and there is little wind. A
heavy snow fall is predicted for to-
night, however. and should this pre-
dicti0n I've fulfilled it will hamper work
in the devastated district. \ blanket
of VT snow would bring down many
we"k walls and retard the enormous
| traffic that is congcsted in the streets
, Il adjacent to the fire scene.
Financial institutions are. today, en-
gagged in cartinE their securities ard
funds to temporary offices outside the
confines Of the burned district BJ-
5 O'clock express wagons ana other
available ConvcyanCcS We're backed UP
to banks and trust company buildings
preparatory to renewing all books,
pers. funds, etc.
The vault of the First National
Bank WAS opened. today. by safe ex-
pert ard AL Of the securities and
moneys Of the bank We're found as safe
as on the day they We're placed in the
vault. Express wagons in waiting car
ried thc vauabies To the American
National hank building on Gay street,
where temporary offices will be opened.
Great care Unnecessary said one OF
the safe experts. in opening tn" doors
of the big vaults. The extreme heat
naturally generates gases and unless
"" ara extremely careful an explosion
would be likely to occur when these
g;lsS-, came in contact with the fresh
air 1t is tn" usual custom with experts
in our prof ssiOn never to open q vault
which has been in a big fire until A.
hours after the flames have been cX-
tingu;Shed
We have opened many vaults in The
financial district and not q single in
stance have the papers been damaged
in the least"
Bulding inspector Preston was an
extremely busy man. today. due to the
clamor for permits by large business
ana financial houses to rebuild. To
The Associated Press. Mr.. Preston
said
while l would Xix" to help these
enterprising people. ! am compelled to
withhold all permits for building pur-
poses within the fire lines for several
days. The burned territory is too dan
gerous for any large force to work III
just now
Mr.. Preston is now engaged in clear
ing all the streets that run through
the fire districts. All loose walls that
can be safely RACED with ropes are be-
ing taken down by the laborers from
the street cleaning department. Walls
that resist the workmen will be blown
dovn with explosives. \ number of
engineers are designating the danger
Gus walls. 1t has been suggested to
the city officials that in engaging men
to help clear up the fire district that
preference be given to men who were
thrown out of work as q result of the
fire. There are many thousands of
these and this plan will be carried out
as far as possible.