National Republican., 1878-12-05
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Making Arrangements for the New Engine
Companies.

Making Arrangements Tor the NOW Engine
Companies.
Tire Board of Fire Commissioners met last
evening.
The report of Chief Engineer Cronin for
the month Of November was read showing
that during the month there were ten alarms
for fires, involving loss Of 81 100. aud an in
surance Of 5000. With tho regular monthly
acquisitions the Chief submitted special req
uisitions for furnishing the new engine
houses aud equlpping the companies
The Chief stated In his report
that, in bis opinion, 1t would be unwise
to wait until the new houses were finished aud
fthc new apparatus here before commencing to
make the purchases necessary to render them
servicablc, rs the season of increased fires Is
upon u.s. and the strengthening Of our weak
department should not be delayed u single day.
The Chief also reported having visited
Pennsylvania by direction Of the District Com
missioners and purchasing ten new horses for
the department. The animals arrived yester-
day in good order and arc all first.class.
The chief submitted letter from Buckley
& Merritt, contractors for the new hook. and
ladder truck, stating that the truck is nearly
completed, and asking for the name and num-
Der by which 1t is to be designated.
| The report Of Superintendent Miles, OF tho
fire. alarm telegraph, stated that the machinery
connected with tho Western Presbyterian
Church bell striker broke down about ten days
ago, but repairs had been ordered, and the bell
will soon be placed In service.
The alterations IN the alarm circuits, so as 10
take In the new hook .aud.laddcr houses, are
being made, and will be completed by the time
required.
Mr. Miles also submitted special commuui.
cation recommending that, In ordering the two
new signal-boxes for the new fire companies
the manufacturer be required to make an i'm
provemcnt in the method of inserting the
wires. He also recommends that the boxes be
numbered 80 and g. Tho recommendations
were approved, and 1t was ordered that tho
communication be inclosed to Gamcwell & Co,
The matter Of the numbering Of the new en-.
giues and trucks was discussed. II was de-
cided to letter the trucks, the new one to be
designated a" and the one at present In use
"B." The manufacturer was notified accord
ingly. The new engines will be numbered in
the usual Manner and 8. Building Inspect
or Entwisle was present at the meeting by in.
vitation to discuss the proposed methods oi
vcntlating the new cngine-houses.
A plan submitted by Dr. Thomas Owen was
approved by tho Inspector. After some dis.
cussion Mr.. Entwisle was authorized to consult
with DIR. Owen, and If found advisable to ar
range to introduce the ventiatOr In the new
houses providing the cost does not exceed SO
for each house. The Commissioners also had
a conference with Mr.. Entwislo regarding the
bills submitted for extra work on tho new
houses. As some figures In the bill wero con.
sidered exorbitsnt, the Commissioners finally
agreed to approve the bills IL made out In ac-
cordauce with the estimates of the Inspector.
Tho bills were accordingly referred back to
the Inspector. Applications wero received from
the following for positions In tho Department
William Edward Thompson, Charles Gid.
dings, Henry Brooks, wi liam Buckley, jr.,
William L. Hickey, A. V. Conway, Edward p.
Carroll, William Il. Ecklof, James W. Smith,
John L. Stokes, Richard o'Drien, and William
Luskey.
The requisitions submitted by Chief Cronin
for supplies for the new engine houses were
approved. Mr.. Eutwisle was requested To
prepare plans for the alteration of the present
truck house, which it is intended to use as al
engine house. It was also agreed to ascertain
what arrangements could DO made to dispose
of the old engines in the departments for new
ones, with Wow of getting an appropriation
of the money required to be given above the
amount allowed for the old engines.