, 1874-07-20
PORTABLE FIRE WALLS.
hs Editor of The Ghtcdro Trr}hnnh.

PORTABLE FIRE wA1Ls
"a ths Editor Of The Chicago 1riannd:
Sin: It ia clear that our city Ia In most
unsatisfactory condition touching our oxpoaure
to aweeping oon1agrations. Our momory Of
past losses Is not moro oppressive than Ia our
foar Of coming dHaator. Our journals are full
of suggestions. many wise aud timely, and many
wholly impracticAble. II q tenth of tho plans
arc carried ont which arc proposed, our ta1os
would become uncomfortable. And although 30
many OF them aro Belf-evident neceaBtios, 1t Ia
doubtful, If taken all together. they would save
us in one Of those terrific emergencies, when
long droughth, a high wind, combustible build
inga, Ind d we1l-startel fire arc combined. Wo have
acres Of woodou buildings in our city, aud shall
havo them for years to como. They lie to tho
southwest Of the cisy's mercantile centric,
stretched out for miles. And although
10 can prevent tho erection Of moro, no
can't tomovo what We havo. Oyor them
sweep our southwest winds,-fifty times in
year NO o1perionee these hot galoa. No fire do
pnrtment on Garth can control such connag1a-
tion az VIC aro liable to hava any day. We ali
feel tho pressure Of this danger, md wa aro fast
getting 80 that Are bell y atartles US like tho
explosion Of an enamy's shell. Our cittzens
cannot stand thia donrassing Bense Of insecurity,
NA>A AsAn* ~ ASAeSSNA% AtA%A aAA pun a44kc W.
nnnd relief.
What shall wo do about it Others have aub
mittod their plans, aud I am ready to bear my
share Of tho expense Of carrying out such as NO
taken with tho othors, will probably Aoreafter
sayo Ills from swecping eoutlagrations. I shall
not dwell upon details, although havo wrought
them out, since our 'grnat 1ro," with much
practical care. What no noed, in addition 10 our
othor fro apparatus, is portable fro wall.
T1If8 wall In nnat1u frct toI In In
polnt Of EXPOSURE. readily erected and thoroughly
efficient when plaoe. The value OF such wall is
beyond estimate, aud Its. cost comparatively
light. Sheets Of iron, stif1ened with iron frame
together at their sides IN such = manner that
they will fold right nnd loft and make CONF
pact load, such % would 1ido Hnugly
upon an iron wagon like those used for hooks
aud ladders. Nine Of thoeo sheats 80
tended, 40 feet wide by 80 foot high. When
needed, say among our high buildings several
tear!s, each with such curtain. would drive
rapidly to tlo point OF exposure, and draw up In
front not Of the building burning, but Of the
would 60 to tho top Of tho building, aud throw
plaza two Looks. Like i pautor'H roof-hook,
holding tackle blocks, through which would rlu
tho lower blocks would thon be attaclied to the
upper side Of tho curtain, and the two horses
would be enough to raiso tile curtain in
front Of the buildings, II moro than 80 fcet
III height nro required, second curtain could be
hooked to tho bottom Of the, first. " tho side
until tho exposed front WIS covered. Tho wholo
could DO brIccd and Gauged. Behind this err-
tain, separated from it by vide air space, the
building would stand securely while tho oppo-
It would not be aven defaoed or blaokened or
have its glass cracked nor would tho fremcn
IN kocplng 1t cool bronx tia windows md doluge
tho goods within.
70 use this are-wall among lower buildings,
lumbar r-yards niills 'sc., N APPARATUS sacull hs
furnished Capable OF holding it at the required
height, I prefer a tripod constructed Of gas
pipe. This would DO light to transport and
erect, aud yet, If will spranl At tho bottom, and
m.a1,a 1s%iy sans'a it would stand tue strain de-
I will not occupy your space BY dwelling
worth attention, ANAL be glad to explan them
at length. am confident that with sNoh =
to tho apot Hhera they begin.i, and i. unfor-
tunately. they extend further, this wall will en-
able tho Fire Department to make a successful
stand at any point selected.
CHICAGO. July 10, 1874.
IMPROVING THE EEPiolEN0Y OF THE FIRE DEPART-
MENT.
To he Editor Of Tbs Chicago Tribune:
6In: Suggestions for tho lncronso Of the
efficiency Of tue Fire Department being in order,
beg lohye to offor such az OCCUR to me. 10 nn
observer at the fro ono of the most noticeable
facta was tho vory rare instances in which any
personal effort Oh tho part Of property holders
waa made to aaye their buildings. In former
days, When houses wora In danger, wo wore
wont to SOC them covered with blankets. car
pets, oto., and dozens OF mon busiiy engaged In
wottiug these down. Now, II mistake not, the
order iR to Insure. aud tho practice IL to "Let
ON burn" nm ontirely satisfied that several
hundred thousands OF dollars would have beon
sayed Tuesday last had tho citizons fought fro
with pals as they yet do IN villages.
As the average citizen will 10 longer do this,
the Firo Department should contain aklrmishors
who would accomplish this work Of proven
tioa. As means, auggeat form Of snglue
which might sta1,a 10 the lest, III military yiow,
as flying astillaEy, unmoly: A num-
her Of small horsepower ongiuos.
They should be 80 constructed
tint In moment the horsoa could ba removed
from tile tongue, and ba hltched to tho power.
Henoath the power, between tla wheola, should
30 supply box capable Ct holding several hogs
by which oAomioal could DO added to DO mI1od
with 1t. Tlua engluo which would run to tho
fire empty, should be accompanied with tondor
in tlla Shape Of lose'carslago and ohemlcpl
wagon united.
The epgpa locates noar the houss threatened,
tue water being lod to 1t from the naarcat 4y-
draut BY hose. Tile hose from the engine being
lod to the roof, or otlor suitable pout, all lrod
or exposed spots, arc drcnohed with tl!a chemical
solution. The object Of tho box ia two -fola,-
to contain supply while connection with . hy-
arant u hotng dhaugea, aud to onabio tho atlll-
calls capable Of boing added to water. mono Ia 10
applicable for tue purpose hero indicated as com-
laon salt. Its property Of, putting ont tire ia
vol! known. According to tue experiments Of =
French chemist, water saturated With 1t IL four
tlmcH ~ potont ~ al extingulshor as pialn
wator. ! never saw but Que building which
refused to 10 burned. Astouiahod at the
P9stiys ' Resistance t9 IRE offered BY Thy house
propsrty, and to inquire to xhat circumstance
tho aprarant non-oomtuatihllity Of hls shop MAS