The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-11-06
Letters AGAINST the Sjlsbv.

We produce below two letters which
show dissatisfaction with the Silsby
Steam Fire Engine-the first written
TO Ex-Mayor Radcliff and the second
to Hon. T. l.. Bond. Mr.. H. H.
Sudendorf is also in possession of q
letter making similar objections.
CoUyciL On, NErR, TOPEKA, KASs-
October a5th, le.9.
C. S Rrie.W, E,3 SI,inr Kaasls.
DEAR SIR: Our Mayor N. II. Case, has referred
your letter To him Of Oct 35th, regarding steam
requested me To answer your enquiry fully. As 10
experience with steam ire engines, IL Is this:
The pumps oil Sii,ty Rotary engine wear much
more rapidly in our western river ~zteIs-wheh
contain, as you know at all times less sand
and grlt-than do the pumps OF Piston engines
The cause OF this fact will be readily under
stood when We explain that the gibbs" packing
proper in the pumps oil Sil,by (ttotar engine
metallic while in Piston engines leather rubber
is used instead. The style Of boiler to the Sishy
engine, commonly called an upright tubular boiler,
is affected by alkaline waters much so that
new drop tor water tubes have To be put in, as
rule every three OF four years, thereby mourning
an item OF expense alone OF from three to four
hundred dollars. This objection applies of course
10 greater less degree to all engines on WHICH
are used upright tubular boilers-lhat Is. boiler
containing drop tubes which stand At all times
filled with water. Another great objection IL the
,ilsby engine is that when the pumps became worn
it is dhcult matter 10 put them in perfect ,oudi-
tion ssain, with limited facilities Of the west,
thereby necessitating sending them back TO the
manufacturers involving considerable expense.
Still another Important objection To the same en-
CINE is that regardless Of tho quickness with which
IL may be made TO generate steani and get to wOik
when prese for delivery, the pc Renee every
wherc-or at least 10 very large extent - Is that
after they are in service awhile they become SLOW
steamers, requiring in many such cases from 10 to
Is minutes 70 get 10 work, from the time Of light
ing the fire. This Is too slow for fire duty when
quicker time can be accomplished. As to our Opin-
ion and recommendation Is TO the best machine u
buy, everything considered. VIC have but one opin-
ion and that is that the Ihrens Piston Engine,
made by "Ahrens Manufacturing Company" en-
cnnat Ohio is in all respects the most seSiccabse
engine 10 purchxse-and particularly 80 tar small
tow ms and cities where without water works and
without the use OF steam heaters-Yutckness in
er, and economy both As to expense In runnin.
and repairs, very important points; and some
Of large cities are using this same engine not
only with the very best results after Is or IL years
experience, but using them to thc exclusion OF
all Others among them We would nxinc 81 Louis.
Cincinnati, Louisville, Ky, and others. We ind
from experience that the Ahrens Engine Is,
lst, the quickest engine made in this country TO
get to work. with cold water in the boiler. This
We know to be the case.
d. Is kept in rpair at very much less expense
than Sissy, and than some other manufactures,
and is As economical zs any We know of In this RE-
spect.
4ih, Its pumps are powerful, and when working
is not hard upon hose.
5th, Is simple In construction and very readily
understood by any intelligent person; is durable
aud we'll built in all its parts.
9Th Its boiler is entirely different in construction
from upright tubular boilers. being far more dura.
BILE less affected by alkaline waters, and much
more practical in its manner Of construction for
the quick and continued, steady generation Of
steam. In fact it makes steam faster than 1t
he used. We are using one Of these engines.
As you all know, it is not entirely what engine
can be made to do At its trial when delivered. but
what will il do year after year, and after II has
been in service =, 10 or l. ycars II should, with
proper care he good and ryiceable still ut the
pirati5n Of such time Hoping this reply will prove
sufficiently clear and satisfactory.
Very truly yours,
Ii. W.WILMARTH, Chi Egr Fire Dpt.