The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-10-20
Ancient Greek Eeaszx+l

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vaults were possessed by many banks.
The first public safe deposit vaults
in the United States were built in 1866
for Col. Francis 81. jerks and were
located at 1902 Broadway, New York.
The lowest rental charged for these
vaults was $40 year. Two years
later Col. Henry Lee built the Union
safe deposit vaults, the first Of their
kind in Boston, at 40 State street.
In 1871 there were six safe deposit
companies in the country.
At first only small part Of the pub
lie appreciated its need for the pro-
lection offered by these fireproof
vaults. But the great Boston fire OF
1872 proved an impressive object les
son. Guarded by troops, the Union
safe deposit vaults were center of
excitement. Frantic box-holders,
alarmed by the humiliation Of prop
erty on every side, had to be forcibly
restrained from taking possession of
their valuables. After the fire was
over it was found that properly con-
structed vaults preserved their con-
tents unframed, while safes Of the
very best make could offer no effectual
resistance to the fire. This conclusion
has been confirmed by every great fire,
notably the fires Of Baltimore and San
Francisco. - .
The structural strength Of safe de-
post vaults has been gradually in
creased to a point exceeding all pos
sible demands upon 1t. A vault made
of solid plates of manganese several
inches thick and nine feet square. so
hard that it cannot be machined once
it is cast, is encased in q concrete wall
two feet thick. The vault rests upon
foundation especially prepared for 1t
and is usually so constructed as to be
entirely separate from the walls, floor
and ceiling Of the building in which
1t stands, so that 1t may be patrolled
on all sides by watchmen who are on
duty day and night. The structure
of steel has thick double doors with
complicated locks Of which only one
person knows the secret, or the secret
may be divided between two or more
persons, no one having the entire com.
bination. The inner door Is provided
with lock set on different combina.
ton from the outer and known only to
another person or set Of persons, and
this will work only upon The running
down Of a clockwork mechanism at q
certain prearranged time. Thus at least
two responsible persons are required
to open the vault, and they cannot do
it between time Of closing and that set
for opening.
The time lock obviates the posi-
bility Of a person being compelled by
burglars to open the vault, and its con-
struction also prevents the insertion Of
an explosive.
During business hours these heavy
double doors stand open, and an inner
door or gate of light grilled construc-
ton Is used. The inside walls of the
vault are lined with steel compart-
ments of various sizes. To gain access
to one Of the boxes kept in these
compartments two keys are needed.
The custodian has key which must
be turned In the lock before the key
Of the tenant will open 1t. The key
to each compartment Is different, and
no tenant can open any box but his
own, nor even that without the assist
ance Of the person in charge. No ten
ant can enter the vaults or gain access
to his own rented compartment with
out being accompanied by the custp.
dian. In addition to these safeguards
efficient burglar alarms are provided
which give immediate notice Of any
tampering with the vault.