New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-12
JUDGES IN FEAR OF FIRE
Call Upon McAneny to Remedy
Courthouse Condition.
THINK RECORDS IN DANGER
Justices Believe Lesson OF Al
bany Loss Should Not Be
Ignored Here.

Having already on several occasions
voiced their views on the unsanitary condi-
ton of the County Court House. the JUS
tees Of the Supreme Court have now taken
cognizance OF the general agitation over
the lack Of precautions against fire thar
followed the Washington Place disaster and
have taken steps 20 make the courthouse
safe from the dangers OF fire. even II they
have not been successful in improving the
sanitation Of the building
For several months the twenty odd JUS
tees OF the Supreme Court have been hold
ing court over a veritable volcano, which
heretofore has been inactive and which
they are determined in a few days more
shall be extinct Not until last Monday
did thev realize that within the sacred
vicinage of the temple OF justice was
enough concentrated comnustible energy 10
have blown a good part OF the building 70
pieces, besides spreading a fire for the ex-
tinction Of which no means were at hand.
This condition was revealed on Monday
when Justice Mccall. member OF tne
courthouse committee. with Robert E. ms
ley. Superintendent of Public Buildings ana
Offices. who had been called for the pur-
pose. made an inspection Of the basement
of the courthouse. There Justice Mccall
found conditions that required only little
announcement 70 have made tho Immediate
need for new courthouse perfectly OBJ
vious.
In that basement the Investigators found
a fully equipped carpenter shop, and close
by an accumulation Of shavings were cans
Of oil. varnish and paint. The room, which
is under the private lunch room of the JUS
tees, has been used for the storage Oh
great quantity Of infammable and coHi-
bustible material and some OF the worKHen
engaged there from time 20 time stiohe'
though surrounded by the dangerous STUN
The courthouse Easement. II was leafneo'
had been used as a sort OF storehouse dnu
dispensing station of supplies for several
Of the city departments.
Bales Of cloth, nops and rolls OF paper
as well as a number Of barrels, were rouho
The action Of the justices forestaheo .he
contemplated establishment OF nlacKsfn'ln
shop in the same basement.
The justices took prompt steps to eliminate
this dangerous condition and some QUICK
action on the part Of the Superintendent OF
Buildings and Offices Is expected. JUSTICE
Giegerich directed County Clerk Schneiaef
TO address a letter 70 Borough President
McAneny dernanding-not requesting-lila
he take Immediate steps 20 do away WIFI
the existing evil. az the same time calling
attention 10 the fact that the VaiuaOle
records Of the court were endangered ps
the present conditions in the basement
The letter also reminded the Borough Presi'
dent that the building was without nose
connections. extin guishers and other
agencies for the quick checking or names
II was learned that 10 make room tor ui''
workshop and storage room in the court
house rnanv OF the court records were re-
moved 70 the attic Of the building, so tha'
when any of these records were required
some one had to climb four fights OF
stairs. as the elevators in the building nae
been taken out for the construction or ne"
ones. II was said that the records thai
we're in daily danger from the present con-
dition of the Easement could not be re-
placed for 100000.
Neither County CLERKS Schneider or Jus
tice Giegerich would divulge the exact con
tents Of the letter sent 70 Borough Presi'
dent McAreny. Mr.. McAneny, who Is
likely 20 confer with the justice to-day. il
Is expected, will at once instruct the Su-
perintendent of Public Works, who has
technical knowledge OF the requirements. 70
meet the wishes Of the justices IN the