Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-09

Building is cited as another "per-
fectly fireproof' building, yet it too sue.
numbered and instances of much-heralded
fireproof buildings which went up in
flames and smoke on that direful Sunday
could be multiplied almost without limit
and the conclusion is clearly drawn that
only by using proper precautions and
protecting their buildings from the in
huence of fire can owners and occupants
hope to escape disaster.
The Maryland legislature last night
under a suspension of the rules passed
law that February to is, 1904, inclu-
sive, shall be legal holidays as regards
the presenting for paymentor acceptance
and the protesting of notes, drafts and
bills and shall be treated as Sundays.
All bills, drafts, notes, etc., presentable
for payment or acceptance on those days
shall be deemed to be presentable on
February Is. The Governor is empower
ed to extend by proclamation this period
of bank holiday from time to time, IN
his discretion, until the present emer-
gency shall, in his judgment, be ended.
In the event Of his proclamation for ad,
ditional bank holidays then notes and
bills shall be payable on the succeeding
day.
There was a general meeting OF the
Citizens Permanent Relief Committee,
attended by several members of the Legls-
lature and the city council, held in the
mayors reception room at the city hall
Yesterday afternoon. Various sugges
tons we're made as to the best means of
securing relief funds and money for re-
storing municipal buildings, removing
the debris, replacing hose lost by the
fire department, and buying dynamite.
1t was finally resolved TO ask the legls-
lature for authority to float a temporary
loan, not to exceed 81, 900, 900.
The only building in the burned area
that stands staunch is that of the Safe
Deposit and Trust Company on South
street below Baltimore. Its interior wood
work on the northwest is scorched, bnt
otherwise it is uninjured.
The fire will take a leading place
among the three great fire catastrophes
in the history of the country.
The opinion was expressed yesterday
by an insurance expert that theinsurance
companies will be able to meet the losses
caused by the fire.
A bill was introduced yesterday by
Representative Enrich of Illinois sppro-
priatiug 81, 900, 900 for the relief OF
suffers from the Baltimore fire.
The Baltimore papers state that the
fire covered IS blocks, or l40 acres OF
ground. As there are $40 acres IN a
square mile and as Alexandria is about
a mile square, the business district in
Baltimore is equal to owe. one-fourth OF
the area of Alexandria.
Official reports state that but one per-
son was killed by the fire.
THE SITUATION TODAY.
Baltimore, Feb. 9.-Acting Chief
Enrich of the Baltimore fire department
made this statement this morning:
The fire at 9 o'clock this morning
is practically thing of the past. Ruins
are vomiting forth flame and smoke but
there is now no danger of its spreading
farther"
The weather this morning is sharp
and chill. A cold spell of two weeks
duration would entail suffering in its
direst form on large portion of the
families of Baltimore. Food is scarce.
Much of the available supply was burned
when the fierce onrush of the flames
swept away the commission district. In
one of the most prominent hotels last
night food was exhausted at 9 o'clock.
Specially expressed orders were de-
livered from Philadelphia for breakfast
today. This typiies the situation as to
provisions, but in. humber quarters the
pinch is more sharply felt.
Back of these causes for apprehension
lies the general generalization which
affects every stratum of Baltimore. The
realization of the magnitude and CON-
pleteness of the stroke which fate has
dealt their city affects banker and
worker alike.
The recovery will be a herculean
effort, not necessarily of money and
financial enterprise, but of civic spirit
an indomitable will by the whele citizen
body.
Adjutant General Riggs, speaking of
the police condition of the city this
morning said; "Not one case Of at
tempted or accomplished looting has
been reported. The city is not under
martial law. The troops are simply an
anjunct to the police and a Gordon
has been established and will be main
tanned around the entire fire zone.
Suspicious characters will not be toler-
ated and the saloons must all remain
closed"
Major General II. G. Corbin, who ar
rived here last evening, following mid
night conference with Adjutant General
Riggs, of the State troops, returned to
his New York headquarters, first having
countermanded orders directing three
battalions of regulars from Governors
Island and the others from Plattsburg
and Fort Madison barracks to report to
Baltimore as additional guards. The
situation was thoroughly satisfactory to
General COrbin.
Baltimore, Feb. 9.-The vaults of the
burned Continental Trust Company
building were openedat noon, thousands
of dollars in currency and bonds being
found unchanged. Such banks as are able
are doing business despite the holiday
declared for ten days. Assistant U. S.