FIRE'S HAVOC 



269 



Ineffective Fikeproofing. 



much for it as are others. Tliis would be but equitable in the first 

 place and in the second place would encourage men to replace their 

 combustible contra|}tions with better luiiklings. Next and immediately 

 necessary the authorities sliould conspicuously label every building of 

 public or semi-public nature, just as to its class of construction, "fire- 

 proof," " ordinary," " dangerous." As it is now, the term " fire- 

 proof " is cruelly abused. It is applied where there is not tbe slightest 

 foundation for its use and is made the means of obtaining tenants and 

 occupants under false pretenses. A man with " dangerous " affixed to 

 his building would have difficulty in renting it and that would be a 

 powerful incentive to him to at least make the building better if he did 

 not absolutely eliminate it and build correctly. Then we should have 

 the same municipal reguh^tions tliat they have in most European cities 

 relating to " neighboring liability." Here we have a selfish way of 

 taking care of ourselves and letting the other man shift. There they 

 make you responsible for any damage to your neighbors' premises or 

 property that may result from a fire on your premises caused by your 

 or your agents' negligence or carelessness. It makes people wondrously 



