The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-18
TO The Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of n,
City Of bridgeport:

10 the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
City Of bridgeport
GESTLEMEN-The Committee on Fire Depart
ment. and the Board OF Fire commissioners. TO
Il Wilson Manufacturing Co., and others, TO
yeur honorable body, for the purchase OF
Chemical Eire Engine for the use OF the city,
beg leave TO report that thy have carefully In
vestigated the subject, and in doing so we have
sought information and testimony upon sources
entirely Independent or any interest In their
manufacture or sale. Members OF the Com
mittee have visited cities where these engines
have been In service for some time have been
fully tested, and have proved TO be a valuable
acquisition TO the ordinary fire apparatus. We
have reports nom New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
ing to their value as prompt economical and
efficient method OF eXtingulshing 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 iced
the MIGRANTS, or ut times when the water may,
on account OF accident be shut OF from n 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 10 be rendered
useless, In such cases these engines are especi-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
aiford a protection more effectual 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 10 be con-
sldertd 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
brought to work promptly and properly handled
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined to what is injured by fire only; the
surrounding property, either goods or build
ings. being lett unframed from water. These
engines are always ready TO work the moment
they reach the tre-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at once-there is no de-
Law in LAYING hose, or connecting with hydrants
-seyenty-five gallons OF chemical being equal
to three thousand OF water in extingulshlng
power one man can lead the hose TO any part
OF the building and throw on stream In
stantly the how being under his control by
stop In the pipe. These engines being indie
pendent OF hydranls, can DC iocn,ea a. my
on a fire, and thus avoid the delay experienced
in working from distant points. Where they
have been used !heg m SIs their cost in Simply
avoiding damage by water. we nave been as,
sured by several departments that nave had
freouent opportunities 10 Jest tntln, mat n
Steamer could better be dispensed with than
one OF these engines ,o, ,,so, -. 49,, a., T.,
The cest OF the chemical used az any flre is
NOT % much as the coal used to feed q steamer;
and the fluid can remain In the tanks for PEE
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 oyerestl-
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 nave ndu III liNcS-
tigating this subject but state the substance
OF It in the foregoing and respectfully submit
IL for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES II. STEWART
Committee on Fire Department.
Il. DEWHURST,
JOHN i, ATHERToN,
W. X. HIGBY,
s. w. BALDWIN,
Board or Fire Commissioners.
Bridgeport, March LIST, 1915.
sB-Rutland Fire Department should have O
Babcock Engine.
M. ]. FRANCISCO, AGENT.