The Washington herald., 1908-01-31
Conduct at Veerhoff Gallery
TO Be Pr0bed.
'DILAToRY AND INEFFECTIVE
Charges Filed with Chief Belt TO Be
Investigated - $1,000 Damages to
stock and BuIIding-COrot Land
scape, Valued at $4,000, Saved.
Origin Of Fire Not Determined.

Ing 70 ascertain whether members OF hls
department were derelict in duty in re-
spending 70 an alarm of fire at the Veer-
hon Art Galleries, 12l7 F street north
west.
Shortly before noon yesterday flames
were discovered between the ceiling on
the fourth floor Of the building and the
roof. Before they were gotten under con-
troll the building and It's contents were
damaged to the extent of about 5000
The FIRE department was severely crit
icised by many persons because OF al
legged fneffectiveness and slowness. It Is
for this reason that Chief Belt will make
the investigation.
A full report concerning the nature of
the fire and the work done by the men,
bers OF the FIRE department who respond
ed has been prepared by Assistant Chief
Wagner Some time this forenoon this
VIII be forwarded TO the chief engineer.
officials Find Cause for Blame.
Fire department officials acknowledged
last night that No IS engine company
was at fault in not calling for assistance
when II was seen that the destruction Of
the entire building was threatened. They
also said the iremen violated a rule OF
the department in attempting to haul up
a line Of hose. filed with water. to the
roof Of the building.
Paul F. Grove, secretary Of a local fire
insurance company. who is said TO have
turned in the regular alarm. made verbal
complaint to Chief Belt yesterday The
insurance agent promised that formal
and written complaint would be sent to
the chief this forenoon.
Owner Criticises Firemen.
Otto L. VeerhoT, owner Of the art es-
tabHshment, when seen last night. severe
~ criticised the fremen for dilatoriness
and inefectiveness.
II don't know what the trouble was on
the outside Of the building" he said,
but on the interior It was caused by de-
lay in getting 10 work The fire officials
We're shouting orders TO the fremen, but
none of them were alert in carrying them
into effect It was only after they had
been spoken 10 several times that they
moved from where they stood
Origin Is Not Determined.
The origin Of the fire is a mystery 20
the occupants Of the building and to Fire
Marshal Nicholson. who made an exami-
nation as soon as the flames were ex-
tinguished. The electric light wires were
found 10 be intact and none Of the fiues
defective
T. s. Smith. a contractor. occupying
Offices on the second floor Of the building.
beneath the roof and notified Policeman
Mertz. Of the First precinct. Instead of
turning in a regular alarm. Mertz called
up the First precinct over the patrol box
telephone. The station keeper ordered No.
l6 Engine Company out on a local alarm
The engine company. under the direc-
ton OF Capt. Harper. started immediate
~ for the scene.
Following close behind came the re-
serves OF the First precinct Instead OF
going into action Immediately the COM
pany is said ar first 10 have run a hose
from the chemical apparatus into the
building.
Seeing the fire threatened the entire
building. Capt Williams. Of the First pre-
cinct, suggested that a regular alarm be
sent in. Capt. Harper replied. il IS al
legged, that his men were able 10 cope
with the situation alone.
A regular alarm. however. was finally
sent in by Paul F. Grove, representative
Of a local FIRE insurance company, who
was on the spot This brought several
additional IRE companies. and with them
came Assistant Chief Wagner.
Trouble with Hose.
Some OF the fremen. reached the roof OF
the building and were attempting 70 haul
an empty hose from the street by means
Of a rope. when, by some misundertand-
ing. it is said. the force OF water was
accidentally turned on. Weighted down
by the water the firemen. 1t Is said were
powerless to haul the hose to the height.
An attempt was then made 10 carry a
hose up the stairway TO the fourth floor.
Because OF an alleged misunderstanding.
the firemen spent considerable time in
doing 80.
The delay, it is said. allowed the flames
to gain much headway. and the roof.
ceiling. and skylight Of the fourth floor
were almost consumed before the hose
lines were brought TO play.
The smoke from the fire was so dense
that several firemen were temporarily
overcome and.-were required to leave the
building. Fireman Jesse Bishop, of l33
Fourth street northeast, was so COM
pletely prosuated that 1t was necessary
that he be taken to the Emergency Hos
pital for treatment. He was able. after
a short time. however, TO return to his
engine house
Mr.. Veerhoff said, fortunately, the fire
occurred in that portion of the building
used as a shop, and that none Of the
paintings were burned
Valuable COFot Rescued.
A landscape by Corot. valued at $50 600.
was one Of number of costly paintings
in the establishment that were wrapped
in coverings as soon as the FIRE was dis
covered and removed to places Of safety.
Everything at the place which was being
held on consignment and all paintings
and prints belonging to others which we're
not insured were also protected from
damage.
The fire. however. ruined several
thousand feet of costly pieture-frame
material, including a great quantity of
rosewood, walnut, maple. and gilded
framing The great quantity of water
thrown on the flames soaked through the
fl0Ors of the buildings and occasioned
considerable damage 10 the other Offices
The damage was fully covered by in
suTance.