The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-12

Razing of the Denison block
is under way.
Fire reductions effected by the
Denison razing range from II cents
a 500 at the high hazard rate to
81 cents 500 at low hazard rate.
Approximately the same savings
can be brought about by abolition
of the Tomlinson hall block, it is
claimed
Costs $4,000 a Year
A series OF articles in The Times
containing suggestions for municipal
finance economies has revealed that
TomlinSon hall costs the taxpayers
an estimated loss of $1O,5OO year
to maintain, and the market costs
an approximate estimated loss of
$4,000 more
In addition, it costs ST 300 year
for fire insurance premiums.
On a map of the mile square in
the 1882 report OF the national board
Of Fire Underwriters Association
the block containing the old Denison
and its adjacent neighbors to the
west, and the entire block of the
city market and TOmlinson hall are
the only conflagration areas marked.
With removal of the extreme fire
hazard" of the Denison, the block
to the west will be not be consid-
cred a fire hazard because of its iso-
lation. But the market and Tom
linSon hall hazard will remain.
New Rates to Follow
The Denison razing, according to
the Indianapolis Inspection Bureau,
will mean new inspection of sur
rounding properties to be made and
a new set of rates established.
High rates have been maintained
on the Consolidated building, i'm
mediately across the thirty-foot
space of Wabash street because of
the potential fire danger involved
in the Denison building windows.
Although the building of the EN-
pire garage, Just across the fifteen
foot alley from the Denison, on the
east side, is of f1reproof construc-
ton except for the roof, its proxim-
ity and that of other properties in
the corner segment of the block
cause them to be considered "ex-
IRENE fire hazards"
Scene of Few Conventions
Removal of Tomlinson hall and
the city market block would have
the same effect in reducing fire
rates on all surrounding properties
to the north or across the thirty
feet of Wabash street.
1t has been said in defense of
TomlinSon hall that it might be
profitable in the long run" to main
tain 1t at a loss because of its
facilities for holding conventions.
However, it is pointed out that
lew large conventions have been
heId there recently and both the
Democrats and Republicans turned
II down and went few blocks away
to Cadle tabernacle.
Produced s245 Revenue
The National Board of Fire I'm
derWriters' Association brands Tom
hnson hall fire hazard because it
Is out of range of extreme fire nv
drant protection
There are only four downtown in
tersections where it is possible to
put into operation sixty lines of hose
for fourteen hours of continuous
operation. After fourteen hours. the
underwriters association rules call
for dynamiting.
fomlinson hall is removed two
blocks from any of the four inter-
sections where these facilities exist.
Last year, according to the citv
controllers report, Tomlinson hail
produced SPAS in rentals.
From Mayor Reginald H. SuIl-
vans statement urging observance
OF Fire Prevention week:
The old -adage of an ounce of
prevention being better than a
pound of cure is illustrated no.
where better than in taking steps
m pravonf Trae LoFo-. 81. - :,