New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-19
THIEVES n BALTIMORE.
HAUNTING FIRE RUINS
Broader Streets PIanned-BusineSS
Resuming Normal Channels.

Baltimore. Feb. 1S.-The currents Of financial
and general commercial business flowed more
smoothly II Baltimore than on any day since
the great contlagra tion. The bankers reported
to-day that where bills OF ladinC were attached
the drafts we're promptly met and that of all
drafts sent out about 50 per cent were paid.
Clearings Of the Baltimore banks to-day were
S2.'9l.662- This is abou: 100000 less than
preceding the fire. The shrinkage Is due to the
large number Of firms which are for the pres
ent wholly or partially out Of business In
sufance experts were in optimistic frame OF
mlhd to-day over the prospect that the aggre-
gate insurance lo9s will be considerably smaller
than was first expected They are now quite
confident that the loss caused by the confiagra-
ton will be between S32O00O00 and $4,000 600
The first definite line thev got on totals was
from the dispatch from Albany. printed this
morning. giving the losses Of companies doing
business in New-York d little over $4,000
600 Taking these official figures as a basis and
adding the Appropriated figures OF the compa-
MES authorized to do business in Maryland. but
not in New-York. insurance men say they cannot
see where the total insurance loss will exceed
S35.OOoOoC
II now seems certain that at least half
dozen streets in the heart Of the business sec
lions Of Baltimore will he wdened before re-
building on them is allowed providing insupera-
BILE obstacles are not in the way. The only like
~ obstacle VIII be lack of money. and the
finding OF the necessary funds was the problem
which engrossed the attention Of Mayor McLane
and his municipal associates to-day. The only
money avaiabie is the Western Maryland sale
surplus. amounting to s., 40 4G0 -. An act has
been proposed authorizing the use of this
plus. In addition bill is pending before the
General Assembly giving the city authority to
make a temporary loan Of $2G0OOO. Another
suggestion was that the departmental SURPRISES
turned into the general sinking funds should be
made available for such uses Leading business
men here agree shat wise solution of this
problem much Of Baltimore's future greatness
Will depend
The authorities here report that unemployed
persons. particularly mechanics. hockinG
from other points 20 this city by the hundreds.
and indications that the volume will stead
lily increase from day TO day Mt. Grasty.
perVisor OF the city Charities Department. and
Mr.. SchonfardeT. superintendent OF the Bureau
OF Industrial Statistics. have requested The As
ISOLATED Press 10 send out a warning that there
is only enough work here 10 give employment 10
Baltimore workmen and that the home workers
viii be awarded the preference in every instance
Marshal Of Police Farnan has issued warning
90 citizens 70 look closely after their homes
The city is full 81 thieves" said he and so
many policemen are required TO guard the ruined
and improvised banks that few are left 20 take
care Of the residential districts"
About forty detectives from other cities
duty here
In the State Legislature to-day Joint reso-
luton introduced calling upon the United
States Senator from Maryland 10 secure from
Congress an abatement OF the tariff on all
building materials imported 20 the United States
and used In rebuilding tho hr"swept section of
Baltimore. Such legislation WAS secured from
Congress for other cities after similar calamities
The continued cold weather has intensified bad
conditions on Chesapeake Bay. The harhor Is
frozen over and q great many steamers are tied
up II The whart.s unable 10 get out.
The local agent of the Greenwich Fire lDsIr-
ance Company. Of New-York. announced to-day
that it had reinsured It's policies unaffected ny
tho Baltimore fire i'm the Commercial Union. 81
New York The Greenwich company had a
paid up capital Of S2nep and net surplus
OF S1GN l64 Its losses from the Baltimore fire
were SHnOpo