The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-06
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A QUANDARY.

Confusion In tho Telegraph Burcnu-
Only One Wire Standing the Test or
the ytorm-The Arrangements for the
Safety OF the City.
At the office OF the Fire Department there was
almost total overthrow OF business. In the Tee-
graph Bureau the wires commenced to break one
after another at ten minutes to twelve o'clock,
and were all twenty six in number) broken before
the expiration OF quarter OF hour, with the
ception of one communicating with the bell tower
OF Marion street. which still in working order.
superintendent Kelso was on visit to Mr.. Smith,
Chief of the Telegraph Bureau, between two and
three O'Clock. Both, with Mr.. Hickman, President
of the Fire Department. despatched messengers to
Brooklyn and to different parts OF the city to
men who would take the contract OF restoring the
broken wires. All who were applied to had, unfor
tunately, made yearly contracts and refused. It
will cost $l5O,00 to repair the wires and poles,
which may be seen IN almost every street in q
broken and deranged condition.
This morning at sunrise the work OF replacing the
wires communicating with the bell towers will be
undertaken. Commissioner Blair is to produce
ten riggers and place seven gangs Of three men
each under the direction Of Superintendent Smith,
with five additional aborcrs under the direction Of
Mr.. Otto. These will be instructed how to replace
the wires and put them all In working order by to-
night
OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PATROIS
The fire patrOmen have been doubled in num-
Der in each company, and the whole Fire DEPART
ment with the exception or two superannuated
individuals were on duty all last night. orders
have been given to the captains Of each company
how to act in case of fire. The first company
that gets the alarm shall first notify all
the companies due at that district, meantime
despatchlng two extra teams, with two extra
horses to each Each assistant engineer Is prepared
with horse and wagon II necessary for second
alarm, while messenger Is to be Immediately sent
to the bell tower, the number OF bellringers there
hahn 01o Ind rfn
tendent of each department was on patrol last
night. The Chief and his assistants were also on
duty all night The recess OF twenty-fOur hours
afforded to the 6remen has been revoked, and all
have now to work steadily day and night when
required. Each company below Fifty-ninth street
detailed four men to act rs street patrol ut the
request OF President Hickman.
THE ALARM BELLS.
The following orders have been issued to the DIFF.
ferent fire companies by Mr.. @. X. Smith, Chief OF
the Telegraph Bureau
OFFICE surnnINrKspkxr OF FIRE ALARM}
TELKcRAPH, NEw YORK. Jan. ., 1873 :
The bongers will until further orders sound ala rms
tHe as nsna signal To Central Once and strike
FIVE rounds OF the station
Increased vigilance on their part will be necessary I'M
G. X. SMITH, Chief telegraph Bureau
The following explains Itself
OBsERvER's OFFICE,
SIGNAL SERVICE UNITED STATES ARMv,
NEW York CITY, Jan. D. 1873
am directed by the Chief Signal officer OF the Arm,
to inform you that the cautionary signals displayed
ana mot Sr Ses e OF the city
have to say further that the order was given by tn
BEEN SGose by the Of the STORM thereby rem
dering the further display OF the signals dangerous u
BY notifying public OF the above facts You will
fer 1ay2r upon the Signal once yesy rssPeSS"iy
your oDou's"' Observer Signal Service u J. A.