The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-10
(ifu nj Prji1storf.

To the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
City Of bridgeport:
CONFERENCE.-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
ysur honorable body, for the purchase OF a
Chemical Fire Engine for the use OF the city,
beg leave TO report, that they have carefully in
vestigated the subject, and In doing so we have
sought Information and testimony upon sources
entirely Independent of any Interest IN IN their their
mittee have visited cities where these engines
have been In service for some time. have been
fully tested, and have proved TO be valuable
acquisition TO the ordinary fire apparatus: We
have reports from New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
efficient method OF distinguishing fires. one
most valuable feature TO be considered Is that
In districts where there is no water supply, or
where the water mains are too small TO feed
the MIGRANTS, or AT times when the water may,
on account OF accident be shut on from part
or the whole OF 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 espcci-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
afford protection more e1ectual than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
ture as OF great Importance, as they supply
what has been felt TO be needed-a means OF
protection when the ordinary resources and
appliances fail. Another point also TO 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 OF steamers; IN
| a majority OF Instances, when the engine Is
the Are is extingushed without the aid OF
| steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined TO what is injured by nre only the
| ings, being left unframed from water. These
| engines are always ready TO work the moment
| they reach the 1ire-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at onee-there is no de-
| lay In laying hose, or connecting with hydrants
| -seyenty-five gallons OF chemical being equal
| to three thousand or water In extlngulshlng
| power. One man can lead the hose 10 any:part
| OF the building and throw on a stream In
stantly, the now being under his control by .
| 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 success
and save many times their cost In simply
| avoiding damage by water. We have been as
| sured by several departments that have had
frequent opportunities TO test them. that q
steamer could better be dispensed with than
The cest OF the chemical used at any fire Ia
not as much as the coal used TO feed steamer;
| aud the fluid can remain In the tanks for q Pc
Rod OF six months without any loss OF extln'
| gushing power.
tained, we are convinced that the efficiency Of
| the chemical engines has not been oyeresti
mated. The experience we have had with the
portable extinguishers In our department also
We cannot here give you In detail the inter
views and examinations we have had in inves
OF II In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
| II for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES II. STEWART,
Committee on Fire Department.
K. DEWHURST,
JOHN Is, A1HERTON,
W. X. HlGBY,
5. W. BALDWIN,,
Board OF Fire Commissioners,
Bridgeport, March LIST, 1875.
tv-Rutiand Fra Der artment should have
Babcock Engine.
NJ. J. FRANCISCO, AGENT.