New-York tribune., 1911-04-09
CAPITOL TO Be REW|RED
Governor Also Orders Modern
system of Fire Protection.
WORK TO BEGIN TOMORROW
Action Follows Report of Electric
Expert - Military Guards
Withdrawn from Building.

Albany. April s--Orders for the immedi-
ate rewriting Of the Capitol and the installa-
t.on Of a system of fire protection such as
is used In modern factories were issued to-
day by Governor DIX. 1t is estimated that
the work will cost about $4,000 The orders
followed the receipt Of n report OF n. A.
Cornell, Of New York, an electrical expert,
condemning the wiring State Architect
Ware and Mr.. Cornell were instructed 10
tear out defective wires and replace them
with 10 installation that will be safe ana
efficient"
The Governor IN q statement says the re-
ports Of Architect Ware and Mr.. Corneli
'emphas size the fact that the Capitol is con-
stantly in peril from the antiquated ana
dangerous electrical equipment within the
building and the lack OF provision to cope
with any fire that may result from defec-
tive wiring or any other cause" Governor
Dix SAYS he also intends that without de-
lay adequate fire apparatus shall be in
stalled In the Capitol. the work Of installa-
ton to begin Monday next.
Mr.. Cornell, in his report TO the Cover
nor, said he found the following conditions;
Bell wires and electric light wires are in
intimate contact, passing through the same
hoes in the walls, and 1t Is quite probable
trat many Of the electric bell and telephone
wires are carrying current which they de
rive from the electric light wiring and which
they are not designed 10 carry.
Many Of the panel boxes are fitted with
open li;Ik fuses. and the doors of such boxes
are not lined with fireproofing OF any char
acter. and the melting of the above fuses
might very readily set fire TO such doors.
Many OF the electric light wires are laid
against wood, and such wood has been and
is damp and water soaked this also Gre
ating fire hazard.
are set flush with the floors and no pro-
vision made To keep water out OF such
boxes during the process OF cleaning iloors.
Many OF the circuits are overloaded anu
carry much more current than the wires
We're originally installed To carry.
Much OF the wiring of the building is done
with what ~ known as Underwriters wire
laid directly In the plaster. walls and wood
work. and this also creates very danger
GUS fire hazard
With the exception OF a few isolated
cases where modern work has been installed,
the entire electrical equipment Is anti
auaied out OF repair and dangerous. and
thereby imperils the contents OF the Capitol
building. by reason of fire, which may occur
at any time.
Tho cost Of the work that must be done
Immediately will amount to several thou
sand dollars" says a statement issued from
the Executive Chamber. but the Governor
is confident that his action in ordering i'm
mediate steps taken will be ratified and the
necessary appropriation made by the Legis-
lature when It reconvenes. The Legislature
will be asked for further appropriation to
install Il modern and complete electrical
equipment"
The military guards were finally with
drawn from the Capitol tonight and the
building placed In care Of watchmen OF the
State Department Of Public Buildings.