Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1906-05-05
THB FRISCO
BUILDINGS.
Aurthoity on Fireproof Con-
struction Tells Of Damage
Done to Them.

the foremost authorities in the United
States, On fireproof building construc-
ton, the report being based upon visit
by Mr.. Leonardo to San Francisco after
the earthquake and fire. The report of
Mr.. Leonardo follows:
IF ABSORBING INTEREST.
From the point of view of the archi-
tect and builder, my trip to San Fran
cisco wa one Of absorbing interest.
All of my Investigations confirmed me
in my convictions of the absolute safety
of the modern steel structure. The
prevailing type of fireproof building in
SaI Francisco is the steel frame, with
cement or concrete floors, or expanded
metal floors and walls. That will be
the type Of building, undoubtedly, in
the restored city. All Of the big
modern buildings | found little dam
aged, and capable of being restored i'm
mediately and at comparatively little
cost.
Perhaps the greatest popular inter-
est centers about the Call building, |
examined that first of all. 1t is per-
fectly sound and safe. The damage
was done through flames soaring up
through the elevator shaft, and COM
municating through their heat to the
offices, where the furniture and window
castings were burned. | will guarantee
to restore it entire within two months
for SIS, 900.
The Manadnock building! The dy-
namiting of that magnificent building
was n Of the most absurd and ridicu-
lous features Of the whole fire. |
helped build that building myself, and l
know what it was. But they couldn't
destroy it, even by dynamiting. The
floors are still in perfect condition. In
construction it is the same type as the
II. W. Hellman building in this city,
and would stand against all earth
quakes and fires. 1t can be restored
for $50, 900.
'"Fhe Merchants Exchange building
was little damaged save for the interior
finishing, but it is a huge building and
to restore it completely, would cost
about SIPS, 900.
The Hayward building, fourteen
stories high, is a magnificent example
Of the fine way in which these big build
ings stood the test. In many of its
offices not even the furniture was
injured, although it was directly in the
path of the fire. 1t can be restored for
about $25, 900.
The Fairmont hotel, contrary to
universal report, was little damaged,
except where the flames spoiled the
granite and the huge columns. The
damage ought not to exceed S25, 900.
But the mansions on the hill about
1.-THE Flood, Fair, Croker aud Towne
residences are nothing but a mass of
ruins.
The st. Francis hotel stood the test
well. The furniture caused a consider
able fire to rage within its walls. but
the building ought to be restored for
SIS, 900.
THE Flood building, which experts
thought of too heavy a construction at
the time of its erection, justified the
cleverness of its architects. 1t can be
restored in a very short time at a cost
of about $3.50, 900.
I'm the Union Trust Company, not
even the paint on the walls is injured,
the safes, vaults and the structure are
all right. The damage will not exceed
$50, 900.
"Fhe Croker building is in fine con-
ditlon, although it stands on Market
street, right across from the Palace
hotel, and in the very pathway of the
names. Among some of the upper
offices not ever the furniture is dam
aged. The damage will be about SIS. 900.
$50 well did the Market Street bank
stand the fury of the flames that it
could be opened today with little more
than the restoration of glass and frames
of the windows.
The great Kohl building is another
magnificent evidence OF the endurance
OF these structures. l would say that
the damage to this building would not
exceed $40, 900.
with the possible exception of the
Call building, which apparently ignited
from within, probably none of the other
fireproof buildings would have been
injured save forhaving been surrounded
on all sides by these fimsy ~fretraps.
Il wish to be understood in giving
the above figures as making an esti-
mate merely from what examinations |
could of the buildings, but | am assured
they are in the main correct and ought
to demonstrate to the public that the
loss to the fireproof buildings is com
paratively very light"