New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-11
Thousands Crowd Park as
Firemen Fight the
Menacing Blaze
Adamson Blames
Careless Workman
Bunting to Hide Charred
Cupola at To-day's
Celebration


One more misfortune overlook the
city's century-old City Hall yesterday
when flames practically destroyed the
dome and clock tower, providing spec
tacular entertainment for MONDAY
throngs that had visited City Hall Park
10 view the decorations provided ior
The reception Of the Allied commits
sions.
For more than three hours smoke
incurred from the numerous openings IN
the tower as the flames ate into the
drv wood finally leaving only the bare
framework.
Although everything in reach Of the
danes was destroyed and much OF the
rost Of the building suffered from the
5elucc Of water that poured IN ca'a-
racts down walls and stairs, none OF
tho citv's art treasures was destroyed
The damage consisted almost exclusive
~ m the destruction Of the clock tow
or which will be replaced at an est-
mated cost Of $4,000.
But little evidence Of the visitation
,,iu be found when the city's BRUSH
visitors are entertained in the O'E
Hall this afternoon. Forces OF carpeh-
tors decorators and cleaners were SCI
- work in the building last night ana
will continue their work this morning
cleaning up the water-soaked interior
and converting the wreck Of the dome
,r,o q bunting-bedecked tower. IN when
tho American. French and British col
ors will be blended.
Fire Like That of 1888
vcsterdav's FIRE, which was dlscoF-
cred shortly before o'clock was as
noar repetition Of the one which de-
s.roved the dome in 1858 as numerous
condolences could make IT..
Workmen who had been making re-
roirs in the tower yesterday morning.
following the placing OF Examinations
and electrical devices for the rrenc3
cor,rnission celebration, left a chatCodl
stovc containing blazing emOerS JUSv
bo,ca,b the clock on departing lOr
luncheon. A tongue of flame is 'houen.
% have set fire to one OF thC aHo'en'
nieces Of furniture stored IN me loNSI'
ranidly spreading 10 the inner WallS'
where the blaze rapidly gained heau-
wav before il could be reached ny eN-
tinsuishers in the hands OF No'u"'e
mo preceded the city's nremeI'
re- ere Of 1883 destroyed the tower
on The morning Of August Is. the d9F
oF,or the LAYING Of the Atlantic canIe.
:, yss traced to Illuminating devices
.ho. bad becn used in the celebration
of the preceding night.
Ere commissioner Adamson yest,I-
5a,, found himself as close to the scene
- activities as he has been IN any me-
hon during q conversation WIN seN
oroi citv officials. the telephone IN the
MAYORS Office rang and an occupant o.
-, oAice building announced that the
building was on fire. he comm
s,onor was doubtful. but hurrledly ran
60 tho rotunda. where one glance up
,-srd revealed the truth OF the ruho{'
lie turned in an alarm and then tele-
,boned additional instructions TO ms
,cntcnants i'm the Municipal building
Sheriff a Fire Fighter
Al the moment the ire engines. al
rived Sheriff Smith was walkin@
through the Park. The Sheriff grasped
Tho FIRST hose that was dragged up by
fremcn and was hustling IT into the
building when a youthful policeman
orasned him by the collar and demand
cd his name. The Sheriff drew forth
a gold star upon which has name ana
ONO were emblazoned IN engraved
letters.
There was 10 further interference
rom the policeman as the Sherih
,nsbed to the Governors Room anu
.nade certain that the Erie Canal
Bowl. an almost priceless piece o.
china was safe from fire or careless
handling. As a china collector he IN
listed that the bowl be given first con
sideration. while portraits OF former
city officials awaited their turn.
In the absence Of Mayor Mitchell,
who was at luncheon with the French
war guests of the city, employees OF ms
Office took charge OF the task OF pre-
teating the city's treasures from be-
ing damaged. Lieutenant Bill Ken
mel rushed 10 the roof and hauled
down the gigantic American flag that
.till hoated amid the smoke above the
tower. A little while later the Brit
ish and French flags, which hoated
from fagstaifs on the corners of the
main building. were hauled down, amid
the cheers Of the thousands of men
and women who filled City Hall Park
and surrounding streets.
Blame Placed on Workman
Fire Commissioner Adamson made
personal Investigation Of the causes
Of the FIRE. which resulted in a report
in which he placed the blame upon
Nathan Trif, workman. who is
charged with leaving the open char
coal furnace in the tower while he
spent two hours away from the build
ing.
AZ is a shocking state of affairs
that the City Hall. one Of the most
splendid pieces Of architecture in the
city. has been left TO the mercy OF
careless workman" said the Fire Com
missioner. This man appears TO have
been warned because Of his careless
ness in handling FIRE in the building"
Yesterdays fire is but one Of numer-
Gus mishaps OF more or less serious
nature that have marked the career
Of the most historic structure in the
city It's third City Hall which was
completed in 1911.