Chapter 23

Chapter XXIII

Rebuilding of Our City

June 29—The City Council in session adopted an ordinance as follows: "Hereafter all roofs that shall be constructed, altered or repaired shall be covered with slate or other incombustible material, and the gutter shall be of metal or covered with metal."

The committee of 100 discussed a rebuilding commission of five, ~to be local men, and Messrs. Chapple, Sullivan and Longley drew up a petition to be presented to Governor Walsh, the substance of which was that five local men be appointed to be called the Salem Rebuilding Commission to serve three years without pay, to have charge and control of the construction of all public buildings, take land by right of eminent domain, grant permits to build, pass regulations as to the location, size, material to be used in construction, the space between said buildings.

Rebuilding of Our City

changing of parks, squares, streets, sidewalks, discontinuing, laying out, relocating, altering, widening and repairing of all streets.

This petition passed both branches July ₃d, and went to the Governor to sign July 7. Governor Walsh appointed on the commission Edmund W. Longley, Eugene J. Fabens, Dr. Emile Poirier, Dan A. Donahue and Michael L. Sullivan. At 7.30 Wednesday night the commission held their first meeting. Mr. Fabens was elected chairman and Mr. Donahue secretary pro tern. The city council and Engineer Ashton joined the conference on rebuilding, the latter presenting plans for the rebuilding of the burned district, widening of streets and the laying out of new ones.

The commission engaged as consulting architect, C. H. Blackall for three years at a salary of $5,000.00 for the entire time, and elected John T. Quinn as clerk. The first public meeting of the commission was held at Ames Memorial Hall, and many prominent citizens spoke on the laying out of streets. Mr. Blackall presented a code of building laws and recommendations governing the new

Rebuilding of Our City

structures for the burned district at the meeting July 13.

July 14.—The commission gave a hearing to the Lafayette street residents, who have a live committee. John E. Stanton, James N. Clark, Robin Damon, Earnest P. Lane and P. 0. Poirier. They want:

"Wires underground or on ornamental poles."

"Trees planted along Lafayette Street."

"Three-deckers prohibited in this district."

"No stores or shops on Lafayette street from Harbor street up."

"Park bounded by Harbor, Lafayette and Washington streets."

"No courts or private ways off Lafayette street."

The commission announced the list of streets which will not be relined, anti on which owners may build as soon as they file their plans and get the permit. At this same meeting, July i6, it was stated that no wooden structures of any sort could be built within the burned district. Later it was stated that the wooden house matter was being considered.

July 20.—At a meeting of the commission,

Mr. Sullivan won out on his contention for wooden buildings with a covering of incombustible material. It was voted to employ an assistant to Mr. Blackall. At the July 2₃d meeting of the commission Robin Damon was given the first permit to rebuild on Lafayette street. A meeting of citizens of Ward ç was held Friday evening, July and a committee appointed to wait upon the commission and ask permission to build the so-called three-deckers on the point, the same to have metal gutters and non-combustible roof.

The Salem Rebuilding Commission has a whole lot of work cut out for it, but we know they will meet it in a fair way and for the welfare of the majority. With our fine water front, best of railroad facilities, freedom from labor troubles we have faith in our city’s growth as a manufacturing center. As a residential city it is all that can be desired. The splendid spirit of optimism which has so far carried the people over the hard places, we believe will prevail in the future and from the ruins rise a city far better than the Salem of the past.