The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-06

To the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
City Of Bridgeport:
GEsTLENEN-The Committee on Fire Depart
ment, and the Board OF Fire Commissioners, TO
whom was referred the petition OF the Wheeler
4 Wilson Manufacturing Co., and Others to
ysur honorable body, for the purchase Of
beg leave to report, that tn y have carefully in
vcstigated the subject, and in doing SO we have
sought Information and testimony upon sources
entirely Independent OF 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 valuable
acquisition TO the ordinary fire apparatus. We
have reports from New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
ing to their value as prompt, economical and
efficient method OF extingushing 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 10 feed
the hydrants or at times when the water may,
on account OF accident be shut OF 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 10 be rendered
useless, In such cases these engines are espcci-
ally valuable and meet such emergency. and
afford protection more effectual than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
tuTe as OF 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 TO be con-
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 ID
brought TO work promptly and properly handled
the fire is eStinguished without the aid or
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined TO what is Injured by fire only; the
surrounding properly, either goods or build
tngs, being left unframed from water. These
engines are always ready 10 work the moment
they reach the fire-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at once-there is no de-
lay In laying hose, or connecting with hydrante
-seventy-five gallons OF chemical being equal
to three thousand OF water In extinguishing
power. One man can lead the hose 20 amy part
OF the building and throw on stream In
stantly, the flow being under his CONT oil by
stop In the pipe. These engines being inde.
pendent OF MIGRANTS. can be located at any
point most advantageous for operating dlrectly
on fire, and thus avoid the delay experlenssa
| have been used they are regal ded as a success
and save many times their cost In simply
avoiding damage by water. we nave oeen h ~,
sured by several departments that nave nau
| FREQUENT opportunities TO test them, mat .
| steamer could better be dispensed with IMAM
one ., cas1 Of he chemical used at any fire is
| NOT 90 much as the coal used 10 feed steamer;
and the fiuid can remain IN lne gah n lot Pc
| FROM ali the iacts and testimony we have OBJ
| tained. we are convinced that the efficiency OF
mated The experience we have had with the
portable extinguishers In our department also
We cannot here give you m detail the inter.
views and examinations we have had In inves-
tigating this subject, but state the substance
OF II In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
II for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES II. STkWART,
Committee on Fire Department.
X. DEwHURST,
JOHN h, AIHERTON,
W. X. H1GBY,
s. W. BALI WIN,
Board or Fire COMMISSIONER,
bridgeport, March LIST, 1875.
rv-Rutland Fire Department should have q
Babcock Engine.
M. ]. FRANCISCO, AGENT.