The Washington herald., 1910-08-01

Spontaneous combustion started a FIRE
in the Edmonston & Co shoe store. In
the Hooe Building, F street. between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets north
west, yesterday afternoon at 2:S4 O'Clock.
resulting in damage 10 the stock OF about
s27. 900. to the building 5000, and to prop
erty OF the Geological Survey about $1,000,
all Of which is covered by insurance.
The survey library, containing one OF
the most unique and valuable collections
of maps and geological literature in the
world. was over the store in which the
blaze started.
Employees Of the Ebbitt House. adjoin-
ing, discovered the flames were breaking
from the rear windows. from which
poured great volumes Of black smoke.
Fire Chief Wagner reached the scene
shortly after the first alarm and sounded
a second.
Firemen Work Effectively.
It was hard fight to keep the flames
from spreading TO Becker's store. which
/
! through the ceiling 10 the Offices Of the
Geological Survey. The basement under
Edmonston's store also was occupied by
the survey. Records and archives here
were partially destroyed 10y FIRE and wa
ter
street being torn up FOR street rail-
way improvements. Il was necessary TO
| fight the flames from the side and rear
windows. the lines of hose. twelve in num-
Der. being run up the alley between Gers
tenberg's and the Postal Telegraph Com
pany building. the areaway IN the rear
OF those buildings being used as the base
OF operations.
Crowds gathered around the scene.
especially or Pennsylvania avenue, where
most OF the six engines were putting. and
/ it was with no little difficulty that the
police reserves Of the First precinct
handled them.
Ladders in Position.
Ladders were ent into the alley and
placed In position. quickly followed by
/ the lines Of hose which were carried to
the lower windows above the basement
and the rear portion OF the store, where
the flames were raging.
IN the meantime. tripods were erected
on z street and Pennsylvania avenue.
making il possible for the Georgetown,
Fourteenth street, and Bureau OF En-
craving and Printing cars to move with
out delay, only few Of the Avenue
cars being held up on account OF the
hose across the tracks
Judge Ivory J. Kimbau former police
judge and president of the Edmonston
Company, declared that the value Of his
stock was $4,000. and that not until a
thorough investigation was made could he
tell the exact amount OF the damage.
About S27.O should cover II. he said An
drew Belts manager of the company.
was at the store shortly after u O'Clock
yesterday. He saw nothing out OF the
ordinary The rear Of the store, where
the fire broke out. is used as a storage
room. and a large quantity Of the stock
was stored there in boxes. The greater
part Of II was burned wholly. The build
ing belong to the Willard estate
Director Smiths Statement.
The following statement was issued last
night by George Otis Smith, director OF
the Geological Survey:
The fire originated in and was largely confined "a
the first floor. occupied by other tenants Il gives
emphasis. however. 10 the wisdom Of Congress n
authorizing at its last session the preparation ol
plans for government building that win not only
be better adapted 10 the peculiar needs Of thi.
scientific and maDmaking bureau. but win insure
the safety Of the public records that have been five
times endangered by fire destruction since 1908.
The fire Of to-day originated in one Of the several
stores over which the survey watch force have n,
control. but In a few moments the flames had burs'
through into the survey library situated directly
above. The loss Of government property is thought
TO be less than 000 but an incacuable loss might
easily have been incurred in this library which !,
unique in its collection Of geologic literature con
tanning il does. than s. 900 volumes as wei
$500 pamphlets and % 900 MAPS and constitutn,
the most complete collection Of geological works anl
maps in this country il not in the world. Tn,
destruction Of these by Ere would have deprived not
only the geologists os the survey but the scientists
Of America Of a reference collection that could MOI
be duplicated Indeed. in spite Of the quick respons,
of the fire department. If the watch force and som,
Of the members Of the survey who were in IN,
building had not promptly used hand exting7isherl
the damage 10 books and maps must have beer
| rorslHerah1c