The New York herald., 1867-02-20
METROPOLITAN FIRE DErARrnEsr.

70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The fearful increase and extent OF fires occurring in
New York during the last two years have excited the
alarm Of our citissna They have naturally appre-
hendsd this great aud growing evil be allowed 10 con-
tnue and suffer NO abatement that will become, next
to war and pestence tho greatest calamity that
afnct people, but they have at the Same time been
hopeful that tho Of modern art and science
would be fully employed TO combat this terrible enemy
and arrest It's progress. They were encouraged 70
cherish this hope by the success which attended the
scientific efforts made TO mitigate and avert the effects
Of tho visitation Of that terrible scourgs cholera which
30 recently threatened 70 decmate the Inhabitants Of
this city. They could see reason, providing that
equal skill and energy displayed, why the lament
able destruction Of much valuable property which has
long prevailed in this metropolis could not be auay
controlled aud proporsonateiy prevented The secon
annual reports Of the Commissioners and Chief Engineer
Of the Fire Department just published have however,
done much to dispaie these reasonable expectations
These documents are 20 Inadequate defective and
cagrs In their suggestions AS 10 prove very dshearten
ing the public who support the expense Of tn osan
xation, and therefore trust that shall not be deemed
Tor The improvement Of tho work 80 impsrfeciy
cuscd. W-
soARD or conxIsnosEPs
AZ the efficiency OF The paid department depends a.
wholly upon the Organization Of the board OF CON-
missonen would respectfully submit that interest
dollars nightly jeopsrdised. and rcpressnisd BY men
who spent their lives In the study Of the subjects
which occupy the attention Of these officials ought 70
have . voice in the deliberations and action OF the
Beard The unprecedented number OF nres which have
occurred during the past year. tho extent Of the devas
the protective and benevolent Institution Of insurance
and to impoverish the merchant, the widow and the
% win n h
dscarng for the general welfare mere political con
alterations and In appensins through the Board Of
necsd with the Iaisr bsdy representing
- ,ss Board q rrs conn,siCnsrs .hs combined 'z-
s. ar. which have iss.oy.o rysan IN .o city properly
year, the creator portion have occurred in warehouses
located IN Streets adjoining or near the river frontage
as hes s ssss.s sucssrss 70 rsp,sou un m
ss@a:s: [ n.,sAs.si: q: ,,,...;:.,a %: zine @ :s:.
: z: 4 s S:y ssess =, s:;S .S.s 8. . S
x: % s sss = ss Sy
maina, which were laid down whom . comparatively
s' Y ss % II sssss q
"a aiss q sssn Ps.s .aieS IsssiSs: more sceiCas
Ssssss vss sSsr % sssss e. oo 1s
:aa Sr q our usseu TS's sSs Ms:
mss nslsa, = In Londsn, Liverpool md other large
sl..ss IL Ear.pe should 3 AZ dcyh sncy.vsy for ars
sssisss Esss q i siss;y SndssseoS iSsi nsarsnss
ssmpeni chxs for prs>estss according tc the risk In
volve Vim APPEAR 70 b ths Interest u the public 70
make ne outlay nsce.ey = sascs THIS Improvement
exHAm unAuno rnu ArxnlAu@
n sddton 20 ~ construction of large mains along
the Esss Ans the nudssn Yvsr ffongs wculd suggest
ths sxpe4sney - eqnippnG III Ne tns and ferry bssss
With sppAntua eslculasd " render effective ssvcs In
sktneuishlng hfes soessng s1hsr among the shipping
- n ssests ooai1gueeo " Ne river me fulnlment ef
th rsgulaton might b sscurs1 by Withholding license
iron such oeee - 1oee - comply With ne require
nspt u woaid - inponabs V ovss-sssmats The "a
vantage thsa vssl9 sc<Foe ssUm Ne Adoption ef THE
an1hiay - eer ~ eeporsmoaA Wbsn NE capacity cf
The mains 10 hs ssssa pssvs4 ineuceus 70 supply the
water seeeee ~ We sss engseS - unlimited quantity
Of the astaGoac s1eeos esuI1 - obsainsd fsn thie
steam Scaling espestmsst snd - shs esesr~ncs cl
nsi more psseanx s@egusoc1es vhsa the hydrnnse
hAppeDsd v BE- frossn, wosid b a infAiil6is md
so9stIBes ths cary svallnb,s rsssuFua
xscpzhyv vSnn puvAnYrpwr
appears obvious tha1 70 sscsrs NE econcnicaI
hssren'~"s sss s~~sss e-sssssss " The rns Dspsst