The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-08
To The Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
Ctty Of bridgeport:


GENrLEMEN-The Committee on Fire Depart.
ment, and the Board OF Fire Commissioners, TO
whom was referred the petition OF the Wheeler
& Wilson Manufacturing Co., and others, TO
Chemical Fire Engine, for the use OF the city,
beg leave 10 report. that they have carefully in
vestigated the subject, and In doing 30 we havo
sought Information and testimony upon sources
entirely independent OF any interest in their
manufacture or sale. Members OF the COM
mttee have visited cities where these engines
Iully tested, and have proved 10 be a valuable
acquisition 10 the ordinary fire apparatus. We
Cincinnati, and many other places, oil testify
ing to their value as prompt economical and
efficient method OF extlnglishing fires. One
In districts where there is no water supply. or
where the water mains are too small 10 feed
the hydrants, or at times when the water may,
ON account OF accident be shut of from u part
or the whole or the city, or IN seasons OF ex-
IRENE cold like the present, when water mains
are frozen and hydrants liable TO be rendered
useless In such cases these engines are especi-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
AFFORD q protection more enectual than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
ture as or great Importance, as they supply
what has been felt 10 be needed-a means OF
protection when the ordinary resources and
appliances fail. Another point also 10 be con-
sidertd Is the saving OF most OF the damage
caused by the use OF large quantities OF water,
which is unavoidable IN the use or steamers; in
a majority OF instances, when the engine ID
brought TO work promptly and properly handled
the IRE Is eNLlnbulsneu WITHOUT inc hlu OIL
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined TO what is injured by fire only; the
surrounding properly, either goods or build
ings, being left unframed from water. These
engines are always ready TO work the moment
they reach the fire-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at once-there Is no de-
Law in laying hose, or connecting with Dydrants
-seventy-iiye gallons OF chemical being equal
| TO three thousand OF water In extinguishing
power one man can e ss ISe nose 20 n
| stantly, the now being under his control by a
| stop In the pipe. These engines being indie
| pendent OF MIGRANTS. can be located at any
| point most advantageous for operating directly
| ON fire, and thus avoid the delay experienced
| in working from distant points, Where they
have been used they are regarded as Il success
| and save many times their cost In simply
| avoiding damage by water We have been as.
| sured by several departments that nave mad
| frequent opportunities 10 test them, that
| steamer could better be dispensed with than
VI Tho cost OF the chemical used at any fire is
| not as much as the coal used TO feed a steamer;
| and the fluid can remain In the tanks for Pc
| Rod OF six months without any loss OF extin-
From ali the Iacts and testimony we have OBJ
i tained, we are convinced that the efficiency OF
i the chemical engines has not been overesti-
mated. The experience we have had with the
| portable extingulshers in our department also
| justines our opinion.
| views and examinations we have had in inves-
/ tigating this subject, but state the substance
OF It In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
i IL for your consideration.
! JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES II. STEWART,
Committee on Fire Department..
| Il. DEWHURST,
| JOHN Il. ATHERTON,
| W. II. HIGBY,
s. W. BALDWIN,
| Board OF Fire Commissioners,
bridgeport, March LIST, 1915.
rv-Rutland Fire Department should have Z
Babcock Engine.
] NJ. j. FRANCISCO, AGENT.