The New York herald., 1874-12-04
THE FIRE UNDERWRITERS.
What the Special Committee Upon Chi.
afst cag0 Report.

What the Special Committee Upon Chi
af cago Report.
special committee, consisting OF Messrs. H. A.
Oakley Stephen Croweil Lucius J. Hendee,
George L. Chase and william H. Ross were ap-
pointed BY the Executive Committee OF the Ma
tional Board OF Fire Underwriters to visit Chicago
and inquire into the state OF its water supply, Fire
Department. &C., with the view to ascertain
whether 1t would be prudent to again insure prop
erty there. The committee arrived In Chicago ON
the goth OF November and left on the 9th OF that
month. The report goes on to say
The committee pursued their labors diligently,
meeting at various times with the Mayor OF the
city, the Board OF Public Works. the Board OF Po-
lice and Fire commissioners, the Citizens AssO.
others in te rested in property in the city Of Chi
cago and the result Of their observations they now
present.
An ordinance fixing the fire limits of the city,
cO-ext0nsve with the corporate limits, was passed
OF September, 1874, and is now in fuiI force and and
effect Your committee have she assurance OF the
Mayor, and Others charged with lta enforcement,
that the same is now being and will hereafter be
strictly enforced.
The careful examination gwen by your commit
tee SHOWS that much attention has been given TO
tnis subject both by the authorities and citizens.
THIS department. h. being M under M the charge Of the
mendable zeal IN carrying out to the full extent OF
their aointy complete system OF water works
the new tunnel which is seven feet In diameter
is now completed II extends from the crib
In nearly parallel line with the old tun-
nel TO the shore. and from thence through the
city distance four miles in q southwesterIy
direction, having Its terminus at rwenty-second
street and Ashland avenue In the midst Of the
to erect pressure engines for equalizlng the press
ure throughout the entire CITY. These engines
are now being built In the city OF New YORK, but
1815 one valuable feature In connection with this
tunnel u the Introduction OF what are termed
ARE shafts" In which the water rises 10 level
with the lake, which can be made available for
supplying the engines, either by the use OF the
snction pipes OF the steamers or better still
on Level ye with the ssreess Tess shafts are six
teen IN numbers II s expected that the system
OF water circuits viii be completed before the
piatned TO your committee, ana OF which there
seems TO be no reasonable doubt, VIII AFFORD Q
iu, reiaole ana adequate supply for both f1re and
TIRR DEPARTMENT. s.vt
The only change made in this department. stnce
siisby pattern irotary) twe Of these are stored,
there being neither houses or COMPANIES for them,
Two hook kand-ladder trucks have also been Or
1000 feet OF hose each. The complement OF hose
TO an engine Is from 500 to 800 fee the kind used
beng mostly leather riveted. further amount
OF which will bo denvered before January /. The
use Of lea1her nose IN = CITY where the tempera
your committee, OF doubtful expedlency.
The important recommendations OF General
shaler for the reorganization and increase OF the
/ department are suspended. Eight tde-water cis
terms, placed at the head Of slips, and Win con
| stant supply Of water have been added. chicago
city of Ne v York, with the ADDITION Of being sur
rounded, on two sides al least. with very danger
GUS locaities dificult OF access, and YET 70 ou u
] defence OF Al steamers Is trucks ana cnemic
| engines. IN all 65 companies, with force OF !V
| onicers and men. n 0A1assA Aplx n ~