The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-09-21

As there has been no little comment respect
ing the ladders which broke at the fire at the
American House, and as reports have been cir
culated to the effect that the new ladders
bought were not such as the committee OF last
year contracted for, implying that the present
committee had not been sufficiently careful in
their examination before accepting the truck
and ladders the committee concluded to
request Messrs. Harris G. Barnes and
| Spencer Rogers, both of whom are experienced
fremen as well as good judges of timber and
workmanship, to examine the broken as well
| as the other ladders, with Chief Engineer Mer-
rill, in order to have the doubt settled. Friday
| afternoon these gentlemen made the examina-
| ton, tested the strength of the ladders and
Compared them with others in use in the de-
partment. Friday evening the committee held
meeting, at which every member was present.
The testimony of Messrs. Barnes and Rogers
goes to show, first, that there was no apparent
defect with the ladder, but that the prop must
have been suddenly displaced by swaying of
the ladder in taking up the hose; second, that
the ladders when put up with the props in
place, are safe; third, that the ladders are made
of heavier timber than specified in the contract
of Mr.. Zimmerman with the committee. The
following is an abstract of the testimony of
these gentlemen to the committee:
Ex-Chief Engineer Harris G. Barnes, said:
was requested by the Committee to exam
inc the broken ladder and those which were re-
Gently purchased. In company with ex-Chlef
Rogers and Chief Merrill, [ examined and
tested the ladders Friday afternoon; also went
with them to the place where the accident took
rlln II i ,nf fIa
opinion that the prop gave way or slipped out
OF position before the breaking OF the ladder at
the American House fire. Cannot conceive
how it could be otherwise Also closely exam
lned the timber in the broken lad Ter. 1t is
straight-grained, clear of knots, and appar-
emily of first quality though at the break it APP
pears to be little brittle or inclined to split |
easily; but if the props had been placed as de-
signed by the builder, there was not SUFFICIENT |
weakness from this to have broken il this de-
fec. existed. 1t could not have been dlscov-
cred by the builder or the most searching in |
spection, as it did not come to the surface be- |
cause the paint did not strike in as would have
been indicated had there been a surface crack
Would have no hesitation of being one of six |
men to 60 on this ladder with the usual hose if |
1T was supported as intended, with props. Had |
one OF the new ladders put up and tested by |
putting men on it, and was satisfied from the |
severity OF the test, that there is no dagger in |
using the ladders, but care should be taken to
to be displaced by going up and down the lad
der. We also took one of the double ladders |
52 feet in length and placing it in horizontal
position, supported at both ends, so that it was
three or four feet from the floor, and Chief |
Engineer Merrill, who weighs 900 pounds,
stood upon the middle and sprung it with his
full force without any apparent strain upon it,
though the detection measured two feet The
ladders on the new truck compare well with
those in use on the hook and ladder house in
ward 3.
In reply TO questions by various members,
committee and Chief Engineer, Mr.. Barnes said
that the new Zimmerman carriage was probably
the best and most convenient he had ever seen;
that had he been in the department. he would
have accepted the truck and ladders; that the
ladder which broke at the late fire must have
swayed over to one side, thus displacing the
prop; tnat in his opinion the ladders, even to
three lengths. were safe for use with hose if
the props are securely set
Ex-Chief Engineer Rogers said that he
agreed with Mr.. Barnes in all essential points.
He differed with him respecting the quality of
timber in the broken ladder, which he consid-
cred good spruce without any defect. He
that the props must have first been disturbed.
He expressed the opinion that six men with
hose could go upon the ladder when the sup
ports were in position, with the utmost safety,
Ihere is fifty per cent. more stock in the new
or Zimmerman ladders than in those on the
truck in the Washington Company's house in
ward 3. The new ones have third more stock
at the middle than the old. and double at the
lower ends, while the tops of the new are as
large as the butts of the old ladders. By mas
lrement the new ladders are longer than the
specifications made in the contract with Mr..
Zimmerman. He thought the carriage was the
)est in use in all essential respects and that the
1ders were the best full set he ever saw. In
iswer to questions, Mr. Rogers said he
ought the ladders good when first brought
ere, and critical examination with the tests
entioned by Mr.. Barnes, fully confirmed that
oinion. At any rate, the committee got full
eayier ladders than they contra ,ted for. The
mber is the best used for the purpose, con-
bins no heart pieces and is unusually free from
racks or checks of any kind, and had no ap-
earance of being kiln dried stock