The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-02-18
CITY IS RISING
FROM ITS ASHES
Baltimore Shows Admirable Recu-
perative Power.
ORDER COMING OUT OF CHAOS
Rapid Rebuilding of Devastated Dis
trict Assured-Many Firms
Are Already ResuminE
Business.

Baltimore, Feb. 15.-Just one week
ago Sunday the great fire which de-
stroyed 80 blocks and $500 houses in
the business center of the city broke
out, and seven days thereafter it may
be truthfully said that the city has
shown a recuperative power when
must be accounted extraordinary. The
energy exhibited by Mayor McLane
and the whole city government in
bringing order out Of chaos. anI the
spirit of resolution shown by the mer-
chants whose stores are now shapeless
piles of debris has justly excited adj
miration on all sides. That the business
community is sternly bent upon the
rapid rebuilding of the devastated dis
trict has been made plainly manifest
by the emergency committee which
the mayor has appointed as an advis-
DRY board to himself and which,
though without legal power, Will prac-
tically exercise a potent jurisdiction IN
regulating the height and character
of buildings, the opening OF new
streets. the creation of small parks on
ground heretofore occupied by houses,
and in other matters related to the
building up of thorough modern city.
This committee will also decide on
what streets rebuilding may begin at
once. so that improvements may be put
under way without delay
Many Resume Business
Though only five week days have
elapsed since the fire was checked, the
great majority of merchants who were
burned out have found locations and
have resumed business. Furniture
dealers. jewellers. clothiers and others
have already received new stocks and
displaved them on shelves, counters
and in windows, and every bank is do
ing business, although in restricted
quarters, it is true, but the current OF
trade and financial transactions mas
begun to flow on as before.
Baltimore'S greatest good fortune
was in the exemption of its terminal
facilities from the destroying blast,
circumstance which has enabled the
chamber of commerce to nOuly the
world that it is ready for business at
tho old stand, and which furnishes the
puarantee that there would be no IN
terruption to the vast exporting and
importing business and the great coast
line trade of this seaport.
Several hundred people came here
from Philadelphia. Washington and
other nearby points to view the ruins or
the fire. though the crowd OF sightseers
was not nearly so large as was expected.
The prohibition against excursion trains
which was made public Saturday, and
the severity of the weather, apparently
had the effect of keeping away thou
sands who were anxious to come. AS it
was, very few of the visitors who put
in an appearance were allowed within
the limits of the burned district, as
dynamiters were at work demollshing
standing walls that We're regarded as a
menace to life. Many walls were also
pulled down with ropes and pulleys OPP
Grated by gangs of men, and the fire
district was strictly one Of danger dur
ing the entire day. The policing Of the
district was performed almost entirely
BY state infantry and cavalry, the mill
tiamen being in evidence all along and
within the lines.