THE MINIMIZING OP FIRE LOSSES. 127 
more than the structure itself, especially if any attempt is made to 
fix the value of records and papers that can not be duplicated. In 
the second place, the buildings themselves suffered a damage exceed- 
ing 65 per cent, and in San Francisco probably amounting to almost 
80 per cent. A study of the items entering into this damage dis- 
closes the fact that a very large proportion of it is due to the loss 
of the architectural finish, such as face brickwork, ornamental terra 
cotta, and stonework on the exterior; marble dadoes, columns, and 
other finish on the interior ; wooden door and window frames, wooden 
doors and windows, ornamental grillwork, etc. If the fireproof- 
building problem is to be solved in such a manner that conflagration^ 
will not cause serious losses, it would seem that radical revision of 
the method of finish is necessary. As the finish must practically be 
a total loss anyway, it should be so devised that it can be replaced 
at small expense. This requirement, however, makes it impossible 
to adopt a material for the construction which, as the architects say, 
finishes itself — because, if the exposed surface is destroyed, the 
material becomes a total loss. It would seem that for the exterior 
of the structure, walls well built of good, common brick, laid in 
Portland-cement mortar, or else of reenforced concrete, could be 
finished on the outside with stucco, pebble dash, or some similar 
material. The opportunity for the effective use of colors here would 
be very great. If the buildings were exposed to a fire, the exterior 
finish would probably be a total loss, but its value in dollars and 
cents is small. The fire might even strip it off and cause serious spall- 
ing to the main Avail underneath, but, even so, the operation of renew- 
ing the finish would furnish adequate repairs for the main wall itself. 
On the other hand, if face brick or stone or ornamental terra cotta 
be spalled, the loss is total; the original finish can not be renewed, 
except by tearing the wall down and rebuilding it. On the interior, 
combustible trim of all kinds should be eliminated and marble or 
stone finish should be securely protected from the access of fire. 
Enameled bricks and enameled tiles should also be made secure 
against not only the direct access of fire but the effects of high tem- 
peratures however applied. Instead of marble wall finish or enam- 
eled bricks or tiles, wall plaster of a good quality, finished with 
enamel paint, furnishes a perfectly satisfactory substitute, so far 
as utility and sanitary qualities are concerned. If such finish is 
destroyed by fire, its renewal is a matter of relatively small cost. 
All interior partitions should be so solidly constructed that there 
would be no question whatever of a fire ever getting through them. 
That ought to be absolutely impossible. Stairways, stairway halls, 
and other places where elevator grills, ornamental balustrades, etc.. 
might be used should be so located that no fire would ever get into 
them, and they should be kept absolutely free of combustible matter 
