New-York tribune., 1911-04-07
WIRES BLAMED FOR FIRE
State Architect Reports on Cap
itoI BIaze-Loss $1,600.000.
ASKS FIREPROoF VAULT
Dix Assures Regents That Aid
Will Be Given to Rehabili-
tate the State Library.

Albany. April 6-Electric wiring in every
part OF the Capitol is defective. according
to report made to-day by state Architec;
Ware to the Board Of Trustees Of Public
Buildings consisting Of Governor Dix,
Lieutenant Governor Conway and Speaker
Frsbie. While Mr. Ware has reached no
official conclusion as TO the cause Of the
fire last week. he said his private opinion
is that II was caused b. fused electric
wires.
A. result of the thorough examination
Of wiring orlered by Governor Dix Mr.
Ware believes the whole structure should
be rewred .anl new fixtures Installed. lie
reported that wires for telephones and
messenger call boxes have been run indis-
criminately among the lighting cables in a
dangerous manner. Most of the wiring was
done twenty years ago and apparently the
work has been allowed TO go to decay
Mr.. Ware recommended the expenditure
OF Sl25.0io for the construction of iireprooi
vaults and cellars and the installation OF
ire eXtinguishers watchmen's time clocks
and fire alarm signals. The State Archi-
tect was instructed go remedy at once con-
ditions at the more dangerous points.
Nj. Ware told the trustees that the esti-
mated damage 20 the Capitol building ag-
ereGdted about Sl,6Oo0oo. In this connection
ne pointed out that tentative plans had
been drafted for remOdelling the western
wing of the Capitol after the State Educa-
tion Department and the STATE Library had
heen transferred to the new State EGuca-
tion Building. Il was estimated that the
cost for these changes would have been
%oo0oo. This. he says, should be deducted
from the damage done 10y the fire. leaving
the actual net loss on the oui ding upward
Of Sl,0o0oco
Only Part Of Money tbs Year.
Further alterations and improvements in
the building recommended by the state
Architect. and which cannot be attributed
to The fire. VIII bring the total cost OF re-
construction up to about S2.230o00. The trus-
tees practically decided that only part of
thie amount can be appropriated this year.
some Improvements recommended los Mr..
Ware follow:
Repairs To- western staircase, including
new ,iNlichtS $4,000.
Alterations. repairs an redecorstnG
building, cast OF western staircase. S300ofD
Rewirns entire u1ilding. including light
ing, NXtuTeS changing elevator steam
pumps 20 electric pumps. $4,000.
For fire protection. sJandpipcs and pumps,
fire eXtingUiShcrs. chemical engines, watch
mems time clock ana hre alarm signals,
S-HOnl
Fire proof vaults and Collars. S75Ooo.
Furniture carpets. films cases and other
equipment Sl25.W7.
To the total of $2.23oo,p. state Architect
Ware saws. should be added an allowance
Of 10 per cent for contingencies and super
vision. amounting To >2e3.oop
The trustees voted an additional appro-
priadon Of $1,000 for the purchase Of equip
ment Tor the education building, making
the total for that purpose $7"00".
Replying TO presentation ny the Regents
of the University OF memorial urging i'm
mediate appropriations for The restoration
Of the state Library. which was destroyed
ir the capitol fro Governor Dix TODAY
pairing the loss as promptly A. possible
The memorial which Wa presented
through Pl.uy r. sexton, said in part:
The burning of the state Lihrar; seemed
At first an overwhelming ca'anitN. ana
such IL is in it- destruction of irrepaceanlC
Public records and Unique treasure ot
pricele-s historical v3lu"
Attacked with the C"urag" and devotion
, ircadV active. ~ those directly associ9 tel
with the library. and aided hy such adc-
Guate appropriations as the Legislature wiz
be generally expected tO make iu the pres
ent emergency theI" may bo gui'klr
reared from and upor tho a-n"~ or tho
cherished old stores 0f books = greater state
library. even more worthy rf the wea tn.
-ilprcr1acv and status iu the edn'ationa'
worid rf the Fmn'r' state. ana even more
comprehensive and uoten 1lIV useful than
~ is likely that the olo library would haN"
become i'm the same time.
To such end and trat o. may he reached
OF 1 ~. II iIsEf
fnf University respectfully advise and
earnestly request immediate. sufficient.
sauctiouiuG appropriations
Smouldeciug debris back ~ rle senate
c'anbe~ iu The capitol was famed INTO
farne lste Tonight hv strong wind. and
2 portion off the nYe department was called.
The frc was soon oNtjuguisned and then
hose was ecnt 90 the Hft1 ho0r whore
another IlaZc was imminent $50 a heap of
r-arlI. ILl--nel Lnnt.