The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-06

higher than in 1891, 1o,a per cent higher than in 1892, and 7.7 per cent higher than in 1S93 This shows an average increase for 1905 over the four years mentioned of per cent
 Equally interesting is the computa- tion of the actual cost of food for a family in the North Atlantic states for the fifteen years from 1890 to 1905. also based on an annual wage of $835. In 1890 a family with such an income spent $330. 35 for the food on their table. Fifteen years later, or in 1905, they spent $362 an increase of $31 .65. Taking the bill for food in 1890 as basis and the increase in five stages of three years each, the results are as follows:
 In 1893 the family spent s337 13 for food or S6 78 more than the average in the three previous years in 1896 they spent $313. 23, or $23.9 less than the three years before. In 1899 the bills of the grocer, butcher and baker for the year were $321. S0-$S oS less than those for the three gears before, and $9 CA les sthan those for nine years previously. In 1902 the family spent $356 S3, an increase of $15 .52 In three years Again in 1905 there was an increase of only $5.17 for three years
 Every now and then some one tries to give us a frightful scare about some- thing or other. We are told now by men who are called experts that cities that run to skyseraper buildings are in dire peril of fire. The assertion of Presl- dent George w. Babb of the board or fire underwriters that New York has eX- ceeded the safety limit for skyscrapers by hundreds of feet and that our tallest buildings must be regarded not only as architectural triumphs, but as positive menaces to safety, has stirred the Board of Aldermen to consider the question of putting some limitations to the area and height of buildings.
 Chief Croker of the fire department con tends that 15-story building, 150 feet In height, is the absolute limit for safety. Above that height he thinks there is chance for an appalling fire and. the higher the buildings are the graver the danger If what Chief Croker says Is true, there are a number of buildings in New York beyond the safety limit The new Singer building, with Its Al stories will have a total height of 300 feet to the top of the tower. The pro- posed new tower on t.-e Metropolitan Life Insurance building is to be S5s feet high.
 But with all this talk 1t is likely that financial practicabillty. and not the fire hazard, will regulate the height of sky scrapers. The opinion of the greatest expert in these tall structures Is that about 1000 feet will be the limit This building will. from a financial point of view, be practically the Unit because be- yond that the sic of base construction will have to be such as to confne avail able office space to point of unproht- ableness. Steel construction. which made the skyscrapere possible, has its limits in that regard, just did the monumental granite construction which preceded it.
 Another point of limitation Is that of elevator service. One-haul elevators can be constructed to cover 1000 feet but be- yond that probably cannot be made ef- fective. The elevators In the Singer building are new type, known as trac- ton elevators, with the weight at the bottom and the motor at the top. They will make the. History trip In little less than minute.