Evening star., 1911-05-27

ly buried in sleep that comparatively
small number arrived early on the
ground. Very soon after the first cry
Of fire was scarcely uttered. at 2:3o
lum bell caught and repeated the alarm:
whence ii happened that the persons first
at the fire. next to the immediate neigh
bors. were reused by that bell. and had
half mile to run before they arrived at
It, To save the building. however. when
once on fire would, under any circum-
stances. have been impossible, so in
fiammable was it's structure, as we'll as
Its contents.
Demand for Fireproof Construction.
NO one can look at the smoldering
ruins without sensation OF astonish-
ment at the faulty and utter improvi-
dence with which books and papers Of
such vast consequence have been SO long
trusted to any other than fireproof
building. The few scattering vaulted
rooms in the building entirely escaped the
f1ames; and had the whole building been
similarly constructed the fire could not
have occurred. or if. through extreme
carelessness. 1t had occurred would have
been confined to the room in which 1T
originated.
Where was the ewatchman of the build
ing? Is q natural question. He was, we
hear, sick at home; and the youth who
substituted for him was SO sound asleep
that he was perhaps only saved from
being burned alive by those who broke
open the doors and reused him. Had he
been ever so wide-awake. however, un-
less he had happened to inspect the par
ticular room where the fire began, the
alarm from outside might have been his
first notice.
We were glad to observe that credi-
table exertions were made by the proper
officers yesterday to collect and secure
the scattered books and papers. so that
hHv rNfNtn to th~ do, 81,
housed"
Guarded by Watchmen.
At that date there were very simple ar
rangements made to protect the depart
ment buildings. A few watchmen were
employed at each, and it was customary
at the Treasury for two watchmen to see
that everything was secure under lock
and key and that the fires were arranged
to keep safely until morning. One of
these watchmen remained all night, but
was permitted to lie down and sleep at
10 o'clock. On the occasion of the fire
the regular watchman was sick, and his
son was substituting for him.
AT few minutes past O'Clock that
morning resident. who was out to call
q doctor, noticed the reflection of the
flames on a window near the center of
the second story. He Immediately went
to the doors and found them locked, and,
being joined by others the door was fore
ed and the young Watchman reused from
his sleep. The engine of the department
was at once gotten out. but was found
to be not in order. A cry Of fire was at
once raised, and in little time drew
out small number OF persons not over
$50 In ALL Among these were the secre-
tary. Louis McLane, and several OF the
bureau chiefs and clerks. Seeing that
the building itself was doomed. most Of
the efforts were made to save the books
and papers. These were hurriedly car
ried to the yard and subsequently to the
houses of MIR. Caustlin and others on the
east side Of the street.
Clerks Brave Flames.
The clerks and others worked in re-
moving the papers from the second story
until the floor was burned through and
sparks were falling upon them. The wind
was blowing from the southwest, carry
ing masses of burning paper to the roof
OF the Bank Of the Metropolis build
Ing. and this required the attention of
the hremen. Among the fire cvompanjes
which responded were the Franklin, from
14th street and the Avenue: the Union,
from the West Market; the Washington.
from 7th street near E. street, and the
Vigilant, from Georgetown.
The Columbia, from Capitol Hill, was
late in arriving, owing to the condition
Of Pennsylvania avenue. The fire be-
ing extinguished, Secretary McLane set
about providing quarters for the depart
ment, and, securing the five three-story
buildings on the south side of Penn
sylvania avenue at 18th street, at once
took possession. and business was re-
sumed April 3.
President Orders Inquiry.