The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-10-07
ST. LOUIS.


. l.
Convention re.assembled this morninq
, and the Committee on Order oil Busiues
reported, recommending that the two gen
eral topicS-preventiOn and extingush
ment-presented last year be reviewed b
a committee OF five on each proposition
The committee also reported twelve ney
propositions, and recommended that eacl
proposition be referred TO separate com
mittee oi five, with instructions 10 repor
at their meeting. The titles OF these prop
ositions Will be given as the reports ar
made, or as the discussions occur.
A committee was then appointed L
consider the various topics reported.
Topic number one was then taken ur
for discussion, to.wit: "Does the exist.
ance Of any direct acting Service System
Justify the reliance upon that system alonI
Tor the extinguishment Of fires without
the aid Of auxiliery movable fire engineer
Mr.. Stackhill, Of Tennessee, wished Il
hear about the Holly System.
| Mr.. Gibson, ol Rochester, New York
stated that his city had the largest Holly
Water Works in use. Two weeks ago al
a fire two miles from the works, five two
and q half inch streams knocked tht
shingles of the roof The works SEND
water through 40 miles Of pipe. He was
very much in favor OF the system, but
even though pipe was laid all over the
city he would not dispense with the Olhel
fire apparatus, as the Holly works NIGH
get out OF order like fire engine.
MIR. Hollingsmith, Of Evansville, said
they had been using the Holly system
three years with perfect success. 1t has
accomplished all that is claimed for II,
and tho people Of Evansville are satisfied
with it. He did not wish TO detract from
the merits OF steam fire engines, but he
thought the Holly system fully as good,
lie would not, however, dispense with
their steam fire engines altogether. They
had not used them for over two years.
MIR. Heinmiller, Columbus, O., said they
used the Holly system tor years but had
little faith in it, when they had. forty.
six miles Of pipe laid, two streams
could not be thrown over a four story
building, when they put on sufficient
pressure tothrow over 0 four story build.
ing the pipes burst. He thought however,
that the system might answer for towns
OF eight TO ten thousand Inhabitants.
Mr.. Keevil, Of Norfolk, Va, said the
Holly system filled the bill in his city
but their engines always kept in running
order. 80 r.... ...., .
Mr.. McFaddcn, Of Memphis, opposed
the Holly system.
Mr.. Hartley, Of Covington, thought the
Holly system the best in the world, but
they kept their reserve engines, which,
however, were needed.
Mr.. Williams, of Newport, opposed
the Holly system, and said he had lit.
tie Amoskesg Engine which could throw
a single stream thirty.five feet higher
than the Covington Holly Works could
reach. -
The subject was then referred to o
committee, Gs were topics two, three
and four.
Topic 4-Relative 10 the proportion Of
trucks 10 engines was briefly discussed
and then referred. .....
MIR. Bates, oil New York, and Mr.. Hill,
OF Cleveland, thought one truck to every
three engines was necessary in large
cities, as often the men were needed
though the trucks were not.
The topic of water supply was then
taken up.
Mr.. .Benner, Of Chicago, said that city
had as good supply of water as any city
in the country, but there are some dis.
tricts where large fire is TO be dreaded
and the most dangerous part Of the city Is
Inhabited by poor people. Unless the first
two or three engines quench fire there Is
liability OF It's becoming coDfisgration
owing 10 the numerous sheds, barns, etc.
1t was not question Of water with Chi
cago, she having plenty Of that article;
but the main pipes were not large enough.
These should be twelve inches instead OF
eight inches in diameter. ..
The topic relating to stand pipes was
then discussed.
Mr.. Msgrue, Of Cincinnati, said stand
pipes were an important auxiliary to the
Fire Department in Cincinnati, and that
insurance companies reduced their rates
five per cent where such appliances were
provided. .......
Mr.. Green, Of Boston, believed these
pipes to be much needed in all large build.
ings.
MIR. johnson, Of Philadelphia, said in
surance companies reduced their rates on
all buildings where stand pipes were used
MIR. Bates, fNew York, saidthere were
slarge number OF stores in New York
which have these pipes, and he found
them valuable in working in upper sto-
ries and on roofs; and where establish.
ments have steam pumps and sufficient
length OF hose they are available in put
ting ont incipient fires in adjoining build.
ings. .q.,r
Mr. Hall, Of NewYork said all insurance
companies believe in standpipes, and
show their faith in them by reducing the
rates on buildings In which they arc used
Mr.. Benner, OF Chicsgo, said there were
fifty buildingsin Chicago that have stand.
pipes, and they arc used 10 prevent the
spread Ot fire In tho neighborhood
as well as in the building where it
Originates. HG sometimes uses "SiSmes
connection" SO that two engines can
pump into the pipes and supply hose on
the roof, which is carried to the furthest
end Of the blocks.
Commissioner Rowland, Of Norfolk,
Va read report on the limitation OF use
OF combustible materials in the conatruc-
tion ol buildings. He thought where the
outside surface was covered with lin or
iron and no creviccs or inches to catch
and hold FIRE brands, the danger was not
80 great In the use OF combustible mate.
rial. Report referred TO the Committee
on Prevention OF Fires. .I.rf..
The remainder Of the topics were then
referred 10 the proper committees, and the
Convention adjourned till evening.
EVENING sEssIoN.
At the evening session tho different
Commissioners made reports upon sub
jects referred to them, Of which the fol-
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