Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-21

loss occurred in the library, the dining
rooms and the board of governors room.
AS stated there was almost a total de-
struction of the equipment of the card
rooms, Kitchen, storage rooms and stew
ard apartments on the third or top floor.
When the chef, Charles Albiser, surveyed
the wreck in the kitchen he said: This is
total ruination'
The fire engines remained on the scene
until nearly IL o'clock this forenoon. The
firemen, armed with big scoop shovels,
formed themselves into helpers brigade
and went to work with will cleaning
away the blackened water from the floors
and removing the ashes and plastering from
the splendidiy carpeted stairs, Railways
and apartments. While this work was in
progress Admiral Schley, Mr.. George How
ard and other prominent members of the
club visited the scene of ruin, expressing
their regrets at the unfortunate occurrence.
Those who could not come sent their mes
sages conveying sympathy to Manager
Knight.
While the ceilings were yet showering soil
ed water on all persons and things below.
Mr.. Knight and several members of the
club held an impromptu conference on the
office floor, with smoke blackened or fire.
charred ruins all about them, and discuss
ed the matter of providing temporary quar-
tiers.
1--WE ought to get together on this sub
did.
The Cosmos Club, corner of H street and
Madison place, was one of the first clubs
heard from in this connection. Its officers
extended to the members of the Metropol-
itan Club, through Mr.. Robert Stead, chair
man of the Cosmos house committee, the
hospitality of its club house.
The officers of the Army and Navy Club,
the Century Club and the University Club
also promptly extended the Inequalities
of their club houses to the Metropolitan
Club.
While no temporary arrangement was
reached at the conference this forenoon, 1t
Is believed the officers of the Metropolitan
Club will rent or lease a building until per-
manent arrangements can be made.
When seen after the fire Manager Mich
olson Appropriated the damage to the
building proper at about 100000. which is
covered by insurance to the extent of
$4,000. The damage to the equipment of
the club house he placed at about $50 900;
insurance, $4,000. Another member of the
club placed the damage at about 100000.
The first police estimate of the entire loss
was $4,000, which club members said was
''far short of the actual damage"
MI. {. A. Kelley, veteran employee of
the Metropolitan Club, viewed the ruins
this morning. He recalled the first big
blaze in the structure, which occurred, he
said, about fifteen years ago, before the
western extension of the building was
erected. That blaze, he added started in
considerable damage and much excitement
There had been several INSIGNIFICANT blaze
since, he added, but that of today was the
worst of all.
Fire Well Handled.
Commissioner mcfarland in commenting
upon the manner in which the fire was
handled said he thought the fremen did re-
markably well in combining the blaze to the
one building, Notwithstanding there was a
high wind blowing. Mr.. mcfarland was
at the scene of the fire shortly before the
hremen got the conflagration under control
He thanked Chief Belt for his efficient
work, and stated that formal letter would
later be sent the firemen.
The firemen's coffee fund was drawn upon
this morning to supply the firemen with
coffee and sandwiches during the early
morning hours. After the residents in the
neighborhood had started their morning
fires they supplied the fire ladies with hot
coffee in considerable quantities.
The work of Lie1t. Robert B. Boyle and
meEded by members of the club.
Captain Cross was on duty at police head
quarters when he learned the club building
was burning and he had Major Sylvester
notified. He also summoned the reserves
from six precincts, and had the men on
duty to protect the property of the club
and other property in the neighborhood.
Major Sylvester responded to the call and
gave the men directions during service at
the fire.