Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-12
The Situation i'm Baltimore

Baltimore took another long stride
forward yesterday. An incident that
inspired the whole community with con-
hdence was the resumption of business
by the banks, deposits being received
and checks honored in the usual way.
The leading savings banks in the city
combined in a public announcement
last night that none Of them had
suffered any loss of securities by the fire,
and that they are in as good condition
financially as ever, and that they will be
open for business on February Is.
knowledge that Baltimore's termi-
nal facilities are intact, and that the
grain elevators were not involved in the
fire, has also served to promote popu-
lar conviction that the situation is
not so dark as it has appeared.
The progress made yesterday in the
work of clearing the debris from the
streets in the burned district appears
almost magical.
No attempt was made to do more than
to clear the streets from curb to curb,
the debris being piled up on the side
walks and back of the building line.
Many dangerous walls which overhang
the streets were pulled down.
All through the financial district prep
arations are being made to open safes and
vaults. Inn instance have the contents
Of any vault been seriously damaged.
The Chamber of Commerce has been
exceedingly active in sending broadcast
to every centre of trade the assurance
that Baltimore is even now in condition
to transact all shipping, grain and foreign
trade, and that all other lines OF business
will be restored to their normal channels
within the next two or three months.
Officers of the Chamber of Commerce an
nounced that plans are already nearly
completed for the rebuilding OF their
5000, 900 structure.
The matter of accepting aid from other
cities has not yet been finally decided
upon.
Governor Warfeld refused to sign the
resolution, which was passed by the
House of Delegates censuriug Brigadier
General Riggs Of the State militia, and
summoning him to appear before the bar
of the House to answer charge of ex-
ceeding his authority, and the House re-
scinded its action after hearing state
meut by General Riggs. The specific
complaint against General Riggs was
that he had refused to recognize passes
signed by Governor Warfeld to the mem
bers of the Legislature admitting them
within the fire lines, but Governor War
field said that General Riggs refusal
was to be commended instead of con-
demned.
1t developed yesterday that the request
made by Ihe legislature of Secretary of
War Taft tosend federal troops to Balti-
more to protect the property in the
burned district will be refused on the
ground that it would be "unwise" at
present Among the messages of sym
pathy received yesterday was a commu-
nication from ID. Falconio, the apos-
tolic delegate at Washington, containing
the following from the Pope:
"The Pope, deeply moved by the news
OF the great calamity which has recently
visited the city of Baltimore, desires
your Excellency to convey to the honor
able Mayor and the people Of Baltimore
his sincere sympathy. He prays that
they can stand the severe loss their city
has suffered, and that twill continue to
progress"
Baltimore, Feb. IL. Mayor Nc
Lane is receiving many offers of
money to aid the city. In few days
the city officers will negotiate
temporary loan of two million dollars
under authority from the General As
sembly. Mayor McLane has instructed
city officers to discontinue the collection
Of taxes, water rents, and the sale of
licenses, until conditions become more
settled.
The Peabody Fire Insurance Company
has been forced to the wall by the fire.
1t has arranged with the Home, of New
York, to take care of all their insurance
not involved in the fire.
Spurs are to be built into the district
devastated by the big fire, by the rail-
road companies to haul away with trains
the debris. Engineers of the Baltimore
& Ohio and the Pennsylvania Railroads
to clearing away wrecks,
will be put in charge of clearing away
he burned district. About 5000 men
ire at work clearing the streets. As soon
Is the streets are cleared the railroad
racks will be laid. Scows will remove
he debris from the vicinity of the water
ront.
Huddled together on the hard, cold
loor of vacant house, two women and
line children were found by newspaper
nan today, victims of the big fire. All
cantily clothed in the wraps, they were
BILE to hastily snatch up in their wild
light from the flames. They presented
pitiable picture.