The Washington times., 1908-01-30
DAMAGE $4,000
BY FIRE TODAY
IN ART STORE
Fire Department Crit
CiSed for Slow Work in
Combating Flames
at Veerhoff'S S.

Fire Of unknown origin caused about
SOU damage 20 the Veerhon Art Gal
leries. 12l1 + street northwest, shortly
before noon today.
The flames, which were chiefly con-
fined to the fourth floor and roof, de-
strOyed many hundreds Of dollars worth
OF picture frames and molding, and
uld great damage to paintings and pOr-
traits stored on the top floor The dam
age 20 the building, which is part OF the
estate OF the late Major MaIcomb, L.
s. A s. covered by Insurance
Department Criticised.
No little criticism was directed toward
the fire department in general. and Cap
tain Harper, of No. I6 engine company
in particular, because OF the manner in
which the flames were attacked and
The seemingly unwarrauted delay in
getting lines Of hose 20 the seat OF
trouble.
Contractor r. S Smith. occupying
offices on the second floor Of the build
ing, says he discovered the fire and tod
Policeman Merit, whom he met near
the front OF the building Mertz, he
says, instead of turning in an alarm
from the nearest box, called No. 1 sta
lion through a patrol box, and tke sta
F. tionkeeper ordered No. 10 out on a local
alarm.
Captain Harper and his men reached
the scene a few minutes after tie
flames were discovered. but il was full
~ twenty-five minutes afteTWard before
a stream of water was played on the
fire. Captain Williams, of No / police
station, says he wanted 10 turn IN an
alarm from a box, but captain Harper
Hz
were able 10 cope with the flames ana
handle the situation. subsequent pro-
CeeGiugs, however, did not bear out
Captain HaTpers belief.
Rep1imands Officer.
When Assistant Chief Wagner ar
rived on the scene, an alarm having
eventually been turned in, he was
much chagrined at Captain Harper S
alleged dereIiction. and in terms more
forceful than elegant criticised that Of
Icer Tor his conduct
The IRE was one OF the most stub
born encountered by Washington fire
men in months Located in a place diff
flcuIt of access, the flames consumed
most of the roof, slSylight, and ceiling
Of the fourth floor before streams OF
water were brought 90 play on them.
The pine. frames and mOGldlugs Ied the
flames steadily, and many hTeIncns had
narrow escapes from being struck by
blazing wood. Several hremen were
overcome by the dense smoke and were
compelled TO withdraw temporarily
from the battle with tie flames.
Fireman Jesse Bishop. of la3 Fourth
street northeast, was overcome by
fumes from burning chloride OF lime.
Removed 60 the Emergency Hospital
ne received the necessary treatment
ana returned TO the engine house
q. After Cllef WagHerS tenth order for
't&line of hose. the dremeu got a rubber
i'jlbe up 10 the fourth floor and much
progress was made I'm checking the
flames Axes and dTe-hOOks were
brought into play by the fremen, and
after the entire ceiling had been cut
or hooked away several streams were
directed toward the flames
Water Damages Offices.
Thousands Of gallons % water were
thrown on the flaming rafters, roof. and
holdings. The black water soaked
through the ceilings of the second ard
third floors and occasioued consider
able damage to the Offices.
While responding to the alarm one
Of the horses attached 10 truck No. 4
fell at Thirteenth and G. streets north
west and was slightly Injured.
station and CAPTAIN Boyle Of the Third
precinct responded with the reserves
from their stations, and under the d.