Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-12
SALVAGE CORPS
APPEALS TO ALL
THE HERALD IDEA RECEIVES
FULL SUPPORT
Members Of Fire Department Among
Those Who see Absolute Neees-
sity for Protective
Department

Impressed with the necessity Of Sc
curing q protective corps for the safe.
ty of Los Angeles business property
various civic Institutions, whose mem.
bers have been always forward in ad.
vancing the interests of Los Angeles
yesterday announced their intentions
of not only indorsing the action of The
Herald in its fight for the corps, but
Of taking action in the question by adj
dressing communications to the va.
rious fire insurance companies whose
interests lie with local merchants.
In every fire of the past few years
according to statements Of members
of the local fire department, much
property could have been saved had
a salvage corps been on the scene to
take care of the valuable stuff.
The flremen are hearty indorsers of
the proposed salvage corps. They claim
that in many instances, especially In
big fires, residence or otherwise, the
presence of salvage corps would save
priceless treasures in the shape of old
oil paintings. in which the various Of
flee buildings and residences of Los
Angeles abound, and i'm the protection
of office papers and valuable records.
SO much for the office buildings.
AS far as the business houses are
concerned the fremen state, and they
are the ones who are on the spot
throughout the fire and can see the
damage and determine the cause, a
protective corps properly handled would
be of untold value. The simple spread
ing of tarpaulln over a counter of mer-
chandise will not only save that prop
erty to the merchant but will save the
companies just that much
money which would otherwise have
to be paid out for damage.
Would Protect Paintings
The recent damage to the valuable
paintings in the chamber of commerce
fire is an example Of what good might
be done for the protection of valuable
city relics had a salvage corps been
on the spot, while the destruction of
the Blackstone stock, during the
Douglas building fire several months
ago, is a most glaring example of the
need of a salvage corps for the pro-
lection of the merchants.
J. w. Powell at present clerk of the
county board of supervisors, but for
merly one of the most thorough mem
bers of the local fire department, yes
terday gave the following indors ement
to the salvage corps plan
II think the idea of maintaining a
corps in connection with the
Los Angeles fire department is Il very
good one. Having been a member of
the local fire department for some
years, L know from experience that
the aid of a salvage corps
losses could have been cut in
half. The fire departments business is
to put out the fire and in fighting fire
there must be quick action with water.
The firemen have not the time to pro-
tect property from the effect of water.
And "a corps of men whose duty it is
to give this protection will be of ma
terial aid in nearly all cases.
This is matter easy of understand
ing: even the firemen on duty see and
time after time speak of the necessity
of such means of protection as SAL
wage corps would give. When it is nee
essary to diminish the loss by water, it
seems that the merchants, or some 9TH
er organization should have taken this
matter up some time ago.
II do think the salvage corps a ne
cessity and will support any move
ment to establish one"