New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-30

Of their proportions and value and those OF their
contents and by their rank fire risks both as
regards cost and the degree In which they must De
regarded. either as conilagrauon barriers. or
Enenaces So considered, the mercantile ana MANI
featuring structures with their vast cost teia
enormously FaIlaDo ana, oLteli 44tLs $1,000
contents, The modem hotels and apartment houses.
with their very intamnl2ble furnishings lLe L!eA
sheds and warehouses with their peiliots NJ
awaiting shipment. or removal. or on STORAGE nc
lie pubic ei.fces: The churches: the asyuIns; the
hospitals the institutions ot learning ana ne M
e[ei1 he TalafiaI ciubhouses and the mansions Of
10 rcb vifb 11eir costly draperies and fittings
71st his IS true is demonstrated by the fact that.
( $ though ly the common consent OF communities
ana their authorities an the efforts Of their ser
wants nc architects. the engineers. and the con-
tractors and builders IN the direction OF nTeprooL
of b1iidiHes oJher Iran the last mentioned.
While, upon careful lENestisatioil ~ II hoteu -.
construction recent years, the fact is developed
tlat mere Is an u31oW-I o ILL n tS,ssT I5cI,
would tend make tie progress more marked
blending OF business conservat isna and seishness'
both % which too often lead 70 shortsgnIea poIi.
IRE losses Of 1904 could not have reached the enoI-
49,, 5 ,l 81 r-3fai more ia lie depiored sacrifce
Of human life have run so Tar up into the thou
sands ,1 s Rp a5 p 55 ro8g = b g il IS
necessary 70 enter INTO Few Wofcs OF loll
before me Iesent H--atS tolf I Was ere
and ur5n these were arranged FIRE insurance
schedules The art OF dreproof construction has
has been recognized by the Introduction into the
Building Code OF new rules and regulations per-
uniting improved systeIns but te insurance under
writers have stood pat on the olG STANDARDS,
their attitude seemingly caused by uitra-cOnseTE-
tism. ana by The fact that. as insurance capital
pays less investment than almost any other.
they not strenuousiy engaged in the search Tor
that which viii demand reduction OF premiums.
And the forces which should De working hand
IN hand drawn up IN hostile array. On the one
side The Board OF Ei-e Insurance CnderWTiters. the
tile manufacturers and certain periodicals pub
lshed in their interests. and a number Of building
contractors financially interested 81 the tile indus
try, supported by some Of the nOn-prOgTessive
architects Of the country; the other most Of the
leading Up-tO-daIe architects, engineers construc
ton companies. experienced owners and the build
inEs departments.
In New-York city the curious spectacle is pre-
senteG or @ buildings department a very extensive
institution, supported by the community, subjectng
tie inventors OF new systems Of construction o
costly and drastic FIRE, water and load tests, gen
orally unCeT the supervision OF eminent scientists.
and. favorable reports Of the latter awarding
them what might be termed diplomas permits 10
practice, only 10 have the whole procedure nulli-
led by the action OF insurance underwriters, who
place prOhibitOry insurance tax upon the said on
cialy recognized systems. The result has been 10
check the erection Of really repIoof structures IN
this city for, though there are few long-headed
owners who back their Judgment and that OF their