The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-11
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
FIRE TOPICS.

Report of Chief Engineer Thos. O'COnnor.
At the meeting Of the board Of delegates II
the Firemen's Charitable Association, held on
Monday, Chief Engineer OConnor presented the
following report relative TO his recent trip to
Nashville, Tenn:
New ORLEANS, October Q, 1877.
To the President and Members Board of Com
missioners Firemen's Charitable Association:
Gentlen,en-By your instructions I attended
the fifth annual conference of the chiefs OF the
fire departments Of the United States. convened
ct Nashville, Tenn, on September 4. and respect
fully submit the following brief report:
The members present were not so numerous ~
ct former conventions, but the same intelligence
characterized their proceedings. The cordially
OF my welcome was 80 marked - to afford no
room for the pretenee that any consideration per-
sonal to myself inspired 1t. accepted it most
gladly as testimony Of the esteem in which our
| fire department ia held abroad. The addresses
| and proceedings were mostly engrossed with the
1 subject Of improved apparatus, and while no
/ suggestion or design in such direction escaped
| my most studious attention, it may not be neces-
sary judicious to trouble you with any descrip-
ton Of them, as their adoption will depend on the
financial Improvement in the condition OF the
department, which all OF us 30 anxiously await.
1t may be sufficient at present to assure you that
there is ample recompense in the Information
have derived for the outlay incurred. Various
committees were appointed on matters which
we're not discussed, but will be reported upon
and considered 1T the next annual meeting to be
convened at Cleveland, Ohio In the intervals OF
| the SESSIONS the veteran chief, VIM. Stocked, OF
the department Of Nashville, was interchangeable,
as well as the officers under his mmand, in
afording opportunities for our enjoyment and
instruction.
We visited in body the chief public insti-
buttons OF the city, many of which denoted
marked excellence Ia their administration. We
also accepted call to the residence of the widow
OF the late ex. President James X. Polk, who re-
cetved us with evident satisfaction and every
indication OF the sincerest wishes for the pros
perity and improvement of our departments.
| The convention cat three days, and, the object
for which we had assembled being accomplished,
adjourned. Before the dispensing Of it's members
q banquet was given by the Board OF Under
writer's Of that city in honor Of the Chiefs which
was attended by the members OF the board and
many OF the leading merchants Of Nashville as
well as by professional men and others Of its
/ prominent citizens.
After the adjournment of the convention I Wis.
tied the cities of new York, Philadelphia, Gin
cnnaM, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Louisville,
and Ia each OF these cities was received with the
most cordial testimony OF the high consideration
in which the New Orleans fire department. s
universally held. / noticed the striking features
In their management OF their own departments,
the assiduous attention given to the conveniences
and comforts OF their engine.houses, no less with
view to the perfect condi ion of the horses than
to the entire comfort OF the men. improvements
in apparatus Tor detsching horses and for OPEN
ing the stable doors on alai inns Of fire by cleo
trio process attracted my attention. Also at
Cleveland found an improvement in harness
which may hereafter become of great utility. By
it's use horses are relieved from the necessity OF
always standing harnessed in their stalls; in the
summer season especially horses grow FESTIVE 10
their harness, and are often brought out jaded
when the alarm calls for duty. These and other
improvements of less, yet OF much Importance,
1t is my design to adopt rs soon As circumstances
will permit.
At the proper time too. will call the attention
OF the city su horties to the new automatic, non-
interfering fire alarm boxes, and to other instru.
ments, the adoption Of which is essential in order
| that we may have q standard and reliable
system Of fire alarm telegraph.
desire, in conclusion, to acknowledge and to
commend to your notice the efficient services
rendered by Assistant Engineer N. Ray duriug
| my absence. His jealous discharge OF the duties
Of my Office, and his fidelity to all the interests Of
| the department entities him to your special con.
sideration. I beg leave also to tender my thanks
to Assistant Engineers Fred Boyce and Carroll for
their dlgont attention to oil matters involved in
the welfare of the fire department. I am, gen.
tlemen, very respectfully yours,
THOS. O'OUNNOR, Chief Engineer.