The only absolutely fire-proof building that he knew of was the Public
Library in Boston, where there was no wood at all used in the
building--the doors and window frames even being of iron. He was sure that
so long as wood was used in the construction of any part of a building, it
was quite impossible to call it fire-proof.

Several architects were asked to give their opinions, and also some
engineers who had made a study of the laws of health.

These men were all agreed that high buildings were unsanitary--which means
bad for the health--and that they made all the lower buildings around them
unsanitary too, by shutting off the light and air, and making them dark,
and inclined to be damp.

The general opinion was so much against these "sky-scrapers" that the
Board of Trade and Transportation decided to send a bill to the
Legislature in Albany, praying that the erection of such dangerous
buildings might be stopped.

They ask that no structure may be higher than 165 feet. This will allow
for twelve and thirteen stories. It was proposed to run up some offices
that would be twenty-two stories high, and it was this that frightened
people into action on the subject.

The Board of Trade and Transportation does some very good work for the
citizens of New York.

It is made up of men who have large business interests in the city, and
they watch all the bills that are sent up to Albany, and all the work done