Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-15

hat they should be made selfclosiug. and stair
ways. also. as far as possible. Mr.. Z. T. Har
low suggested a thorough inspection Of the
fire department, and inquired as to the water
supply.
A communication was read from Mr.. f. W.
Lincoln, strongly urging the building of large
reservoir on the top of Newton hill. He thought
it not safe to rely upon the head and supply of
water through single main.
Mr.. Lewis Barnard favored the adoption of
the Boston ire law, especially of its provisions
relating TO mansard roofs and scuttles.
Mr. Z. Boyden said that very few fires begin at
the roof. They generally originate from some
defect in internal construction. There are many
chimneys in this city which arc constructed with
one course Of bricks placed sideways. There
are also thousands of bushels at ashes in barrels
contrary 10 law, and stove pipes running through
wooden partitions. There should be an inspect
or Of buildings whose duty it should be to pre-
vent as much rs possible the existence OF such
fire traps. He favored the use of galvanized
iron for ornamental cornices on mansard roofs,
and thought slate the best covering for inclined
roofs. He recommended the extension OF the
fire limits so as to include the whole city.
Alderman Chamberlm spoke in terms of the
highest praise of the efficiency OF our present
fire department, aud said that, with the facilities
at its command, il was as perfect as any similar
Organization in the country. He also praised
the behavior of the officers and men who went to
Boston.
Mi. S. c. Earle suggested that after the fire
limits had been extended, a provision should he
made that buildings outside the limits should
not be built within certain distance of each
other. The only exceptions to this rule would
he buildings of q like character to those allowed
within the limits He also favored galvanized
iron corniceS, which, he said, could be obtained
aI;F in npst nNn ornament
alton.
Mr. L. j. Knowles thought that the safety of
the city would be greatly enhanced by the pur-
chase of four or five steam tire engines to be held
as reserve force. The engines should be built
cbeaply, without regard to Ornamentation, and
could be kept in order by one man. They should
not be used only in the greatest emergency.
There would be no expense attending their keep
ing except in interest," and this would he more
than counterbalanced by the saving in nsur-
anCe.
Mr.J.F +. Manning favored the idea of reser-
yoir on Newton hill He said Lowell has sim
liar reservoir, owned by the corporations, and it
had been noticed that the city had been almost
exempt from large fires The query was made
whether portable apparatus could not be ar
ranged by which the hose may be elevated IN a
street so that the stream may reach the top OF
high buildings. He thought a law should be
enacted making it obligatory upon every house
owner or tehant TO have upon his premises
portable fire GXtnguiSher. He also suggested
that the insurance companies should be prohib-
tied from taking risks on Mansard roofs, which
would prevent builders from constructing them.
Mr.. Carroll spoke of the danger to which the
eastern part OF the city is exposed on account OF
the lack of u sufficient head of water. He said
in Lowell wafer is forced from the river into the
pipes in case Of fire, at 4 pressure OF eighty
pounds to the inch, and suggested that water
should be forced upon elevations in the eastern
MARI of the city, in like manner.