The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-06-07
Buildip Toward South

lry nave OOne more at single bound.
1t Is said, toward benefiting themselves.
as engagers in a distinct occupation,
than they have during all the history
of their business growth.
The National Association of Build
ers' Exchange was formed at Scranton,
Pa, In January, when a convention of
delegates from widely separated locali-
ties. ranging from Texas and Florida
to New York, was held.
For many years prior to the coming
into existence of the big association,
builders exchanges had flourished in
various parts Of the land. Their pros
perity was purely local. however, for
there We're no ties to bind them to-
gether, other than those of sameness
OF purpose and feeling of good will,
and as consequence, every exchange
rocked along In it's own easy and un-
stable way.
The old aphorism, Strength lies In
union." is we'll known, and no more
advantageously could it be applied
than to the builders organization, for
1t Is commonly agreed that, If ever
there was need of cooperation among
a class 1t was among the builders. the
employers of men.
Value Of Buildings.
There are in the United States, ac-
cording to an authority, 11,5O0,00O
buildings, valued at $14,500, 900. In
1905, which was normal year, $780,.
100000 was spent for new buildings
and $200,0O0,000 worth of old buildings
were burned up. Over $780,, O00, 900 was
paid for fighting fires and $195 900 900
in fire insurance premiums, of which
some $95.0OO,000 was paid back by the
companies for losses. Hence it cost
more to burn part of the old buildings
and protect the rest from burning than
1t did to put up all of the new ones,
and that was in a normal year. This
year is not normal, as San Francisco
had raised the fire losses TO $5OO,O0O,-
0O0, to say nothing of what may be
100000 worth of buildings which have
burned down would have cost only
$50.OOO,OOO more to have been made
absolutely fire proof, and for the extra
$5O,O0O.OO0 the $500, 1000 could have
been saved.
1OO.Story Buildings.
An eminent New York engineer and
practical builder who has to his credit
many of the best skyscrapers of the
metropolis, states that a 10O-story
building, built of reinforced concrete
and towering more than 1000 feet from
the ground, may yet be seen by the
people who are living and even reached
middle life. The 50-story buildings,
which are now being seriously consid-
cred as future possibility will con-
stitute but stepping stone to the To-
story buildings, and then to the 100
story buildings. The principal draw
back which now presents itself is said
to be the impossibility of providing ele-
vator accommodations for even So
story building, for the reason that the
weight of the cable to support the car
in the numerous 3O-story buildings
now In commission is enormous, and
some other method of utilizing the up
per floors will have to be invented and
introduced before the skyscraper can
be built any higher. The limits of the
elevator, as understood at this time,
have been already reached.-Exchange.
have been already reached.
Safe Materials.
An international authority, writing
in recent issue of La Construction
Moderne, Paris, commenting upon our
terrific annual fire waste and our mode
of more or less flimsy construction of
buildings, and having the lesson of San
Francisco particularly in mind, gives
some timely advice that our architects
and builders would do we'll to heed.
Says the writer:
In the crowded city districts Amer
leans should avoid granite, marble,
sand or limestone for exterior work.
These crumble and disintegrate under
tire. Brick and terra Gotta constitute
far preferable materials, where sur
rounding fire is so imminent. The
framework, the skeleton, should be of
steel, we'll coated with cement as pro-
lection against rust and covered with
brick or heavy tile as a protection
against fire; the floors and partitions
should also be of brick or hollow fire.
proofing tile. Or, if there is any spe-
clal advantage in it, reinforced con-
crete construction may be used, but it,
in turn, similarly to the steel, should
be fully protected with brick and hol-
low tile.
ITO claim that concrete in itself is
fire-proof is folly; particularly the con-
crete generally made in the United
States, which is in many respects infe-
rior to the French, largely on account
of the difference in labor conditions.
AS matter of fact, in the United
States actual collapses of reinforced
concrete buildings, even when not ex-
posed to fire. are not unusual.
wood should be used most sparlng-
~, even In the decoration of buildings.
Marble and plaster and paint are much
more effective and less dangerous,
Windows should be glazed with wire
glass. Elevators and stairways should
be inclosed, and the principal stairway
should be so planned as to constitute
In itself the ordinary and natural es-
cape from a building in case of panic
or real danger.
THE greatest intelligence should he
brought to bear in designing build
Ing 80 that nothing but tncombustible
material Is used and so combined as 10
minimize the fire damage, remember
Ing that a building that is only fire.
PROOF IN part does not merit the appel
lattOn at all. Az a chain In onlu M