New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-10

postordce every package was removed from the
building and put In vaults.
Postmaster s. Davies warfe!d directed the
efforts of federal employees In saving the build
ms. Every window was kept wet inside. and
while a number were cracked by the heat, none
were broken sufficiently TO cause a draft Had a
draft started the building undoubtedly would
have met the fate OF those on its south side.
For a time It was feared that food scarcity,
with accompanying advance in prices. would
occur, but II is felt that this apprehension has
no grounds. Supplies ere short, but railroad
facilities have been unobstructed, and merchants
now believe they will be able to meet every de-
mand. Most Of the provision houses in the
wholesale district were burned. but arrange
ments have been made TO sell food supplies from
freight yards and stations. Those merchants
uninjured are helping those IN distress, with the
result that no keen shortage OF food has yet
been felt
RAILROAD TERMINALS SAVED.
II was fortunate that the fire did not touch
the extensive terminals Of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, and the management OF that
company has arranged to give quick movement
and prompt delivery OF ell freight for this city.
The military grip on the ruins was this after
noon frightened TO the lirsat, and for the present
e Will be impossible for any one 20 pass the
line Of soldiers around the burned territory IN
less on a pass personally issued by Brigadier
General Riggs. This was decided on at n con-
ference this afternoon, at which were present the
Governor General Riggs and Mayor McLnne.
1t was found that so many persons had secured
passes or otherwise gained admission that IL was
thought advisable 10 prohibit visiting entirely.
In the safes and vaults buried under the ruins
are hundreds Of millions OF dollars worth OF
securities. negotiable paper and cash, which tho
authorities feel they cannot leave exposed TO
even those who were granted passes The
burned area, 1t Will be remembered. includes the
whole financial district OF the city. the entire
wholesale territory and many Office buildinga
All the military and police passes heretofore
issued were revoked early in the afternoon. and
soon after that troops were sent into the desc
lated territory to clear II OF every found
So rigidly was the mo pass" order enforced that
a physician who has two patients Just within
the roped off section. the eastern side OF the
fire area, refused a pass. but was accom-
panied by an officer to the homes OF the sick
persons
CLEARING AWAY THE DEBRIS.
The ruins OF the Ere territory having cooled
sufficiently TO permit the handling OF debris. the
work OF clearing some parts OF the burned dis
trtct began to-day. Hundreds OF laborers
gagged by the Department Of Street Cleaning
were put 70 work ct the western end OF the
ruins clearing the streets. The task before them
is a difficult one and the work OF removing the
great mass will necessarily be slow. Many
weeks will eiapse before all the streets within
the fire territory Will be open 10 traffic.
Bricks to the depth of four feet. large marbl.
and granite blocks. great Orders. bent
broken. and networks Of telegraph. telephone
and electric light wires the streets. On
both sides Of the thoroughfare in many places
are towering walls that will have to come down
before any attempt can he made TO clear the
streets at those points.
Besides the work OF the street cleaners. there
was much activity shown IN other directions.
Here and there were email groups of anxious
citizens watching safe experts opening vaults.
At other places bank officials stood near fire.
men while the latter poured water on hot safes
10 cool them off sufficiently to be opened. All
the experts in the field reported this evening
that with few exceptions vaults and safes stood
the fire test There were some scorched papers
and books found. but they were not damaged
enough to make them worthless. In all cases the
contents of the safes were removed to the tenn
pcrary offices Of the burned out firms.
MANY SMALL FIRES STILL BURN.
There are still scores Of small fires burning,
and many great heaps OF smouldering ruins
that are sending up clouds of smoke. No effort
has been made TO extinguish these, as they can
DO no further damage. The only places where
the Fire Department IS at work are on the
boundary lines OF the ruins, where Il is drench-
ing with water every pile OF debris that emits
flames.
In the heart of the desolated area oppcsite
the new Custom House. in course OF erection,
there stood a row OF wholesale liquor houses
Every has been leveed to the ground
hundreds Of barrels of alcohol and liquor great
sheets OF flames shoot. lighting the hlackened
walls with lurid blue. Muffied reports occur
the heated barrels Of spirits explode at inter-
walls.
The Consolidated Gas Company has suffered
severely from the enormous waste of gas caused
by broken pipes, and this afternoon a force OF
men was sent out TO turn off the gas on all
pipes that have not been damaged, and to cap
all broken pipes. The gas works have been
pushed TO the limit day and night IN order that
the residence districts shall be short OF their
regular supply.
There has also been great waste of water
from broken pipes. and gangs OF men from the
water Bureau were engaged in turning off the
stopcocks on the water mains.
Ali the out of town fire companies that rem
dered such valuable service have returned