Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-08-26

sToREs-NEwePAPERs, 10, &c.
Correspondence Of the CommerciaLl
READING, Pa, Aug 23.
That which now pleases the Reading people
most, is the recently introduced Ganewell Cos
improved system of Fire Alarm Telegraphy
Expressing desire to know something about
this new wonder of Telegraphy, We were intro
ducei to Peter Cullen, the efficient and gentle
manly Chief OF Police, who has charge Of the
apparatus, and to whom 1t was pleasure to an
Bwer our numerous interrogatoriss. Already
have the City Fathers OF Harrisburg, the Mayor
Of Philadelphia, and other municipal nagnates in
the neighborng cities been to rec the workings
OF this wonderful invention, which is claimed to
be far superior to that now in use in Phiadel-
phiaa New York, and other places
The battery which now consists OF 95 electric
jars, is located in the Town Hall near the centre
OF the city. Wires leading from this battery
permeate the whole city, aud connect boxes.c con-
veniently located and judi iously distributed.
These boxes contain the electrical apparatus. In
the vicinity OF each box, some half dozen re-
sponsible citizens have keys which open the box,
and in case of FIRE breaking out in the vicinity, it
is soon discovered by some one who has key,
when the box il opened, and by the simple pull
ing of lever. the whole electrcl II machinery OF
the city is put in notion and the alarm instant
ly carried to the City H al, to every engine and
hose house. and to each of the 80 boxes distrib
ted throughout the city. Each box has sepa-
rate signal which consists of a certain number Of
taps of the bell, and repeated q certain number
Of times. The arrangements are 30 complete
that it ia impossible in giving the alarm for the
bells to strike less or more than the required
number of times, and by the plentiful dstfibu-
ton of cards not only the hremen but the
citizens as we'll can very readily detect aud To-
cate fire. Iu addition to the arrangements al
ready noted a wire connects with the large bell
in the steeple of tho Presbyterian church, which
is near the centre of the city, and that bell with
It's clear intonating sound rings the same alarm
with the same number OF taps as used IN other
alarm stations.
The whole iiremen's force of Reading has been
concentrated in distant points i'll i've minutes
time, and at more accessible points in three min
utes. The contract price for the introduction Of
the system was ~, 500, but in order to extend it
more generally throughout the city cost of
about Sl3 900 has beon incnrrel
Chief Cullen has no hestancy in saying that
that amount OF money has been saved several
times over, already, by the advantages occurring
from the introduction of the Fire Alarm rele-
graph.
pea ed from the streets of Heading, and in their
place five mammoth market houses have been
erected by private enterprise, which are said to
be paying handsome percentage upon the cap
tal invested. Two of these market houses have
been built during the present summer, one OF
which has a large Opera House fronting on Penn
street. which will soon be opened to the public.
Reading can then boast of two Opera Houses,
aud 1t is said both will be we'll patronized
II there is any one thing above another
for which the Reading people should be
thankful, it is the abundant supply OF pure
bright sparkling water, from the never falling
springs in Penn Mountain, just outside the lin
it's Of the city. No costly machinery or mills are
required to force the water into the capaci1us
reservoirs at the foot OF the mountain but OF Its
own velocity gurgling from beneath the rock
chasms, it descends with sufficient force to
throw up beautiful Jets OF water high above the
banks OF the reservoirs. Happy keading and
vet we are informed that many of her citizens
prefer lager.
In manufactures, the Reading people point
with pride to the following leading industries
The Reading Hardware and nail Implement
Works, Seyfert, McManns Co.'s pipe mill,
rolling mill and furntc Blshong " Bro:
Furnace aud Paper mills, Reading Railroad Ma
chine shops the Wool Hat manufactoties, tho
Fire Brick Works Of McHose & Go, Mercantile
business, Hardware stores, Rsaling Stove Works
Amongst the many large and handsome stores
of Reading that OF George Lsrch II o., dry
goods merchants, occupies three fronts and ex-
tends back 23O feet. The store of Kline Epiohl-
mer a. 90 druggists also extends back $50
feet. The large number and variety OF hfst
class aud Wholesale stores especially on Penn
street ia noticeable.
Reading NAV excel wilmington in the mum ber
of her good hotels, but there are noue to be
compared with the Clayton House No place OF
amusement appfoxmates our Masonic Temple
no church like GraC6 OnufCu. A WISH 10 Itodu-
ing would be incomplete without call in the
sanctum of the leading papers, especially those
representing the two leading political parties.
The Times and Dispatch, is aglow with enthus-
iasm over the prospects OF the Republican party
OF the State and says that even the Democracy
of "Alt Berks" must submit to another reduc-
ton Of it's immense IN Drlty at the apProachln
election.
Tho Eagle, the enterprising and we'll conduct
ed daily that leads the invunerabe Democracy,
with majority Of 6000 can well afford to be in
dependent II has kind word for the Grangers
which are numerous in Berks county. The CON
test for the nomination for State Senator is a
auadrangular affair, four gentlemen pressing
their claims for the honor OF nomination, but
owing to the number OF those in Opposition,
from present appearances, the present lncnm-
BEN lion. ]. Depuy Davis will be allowed to re-
tain his seat.
Chief of Police Cullen to whom We have al
ready referred Is general favoTite with all po-
| tical parties, he having already served through
two Democratic administrations and when the
last falls Waterloo to the Democracy of Reading
cared the Republicans into power, one of
| first acts Of the Republican Mayor was to ap-
point Mr. Cullen chief Of police, aud which as-
| pointment was almost unanimously confirmed
| bv a Republican Council. Mayer Evans being
absent with the Philadelphia Council excursion-
| 1915 the interests of the city are we'll guarded
| bp the watchfu Chief.