National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-09-11
Tho Chief Engineers, Convention.


Tho chief engineers convention met at Ma.
sonic Hall ut o'clock last evening, President
Cronin in the chair. Tho following programme
was agreed upon for to-day; 0 to 10 n. M,
exhibition of adders-frst exhibition on Four
teenth street. near L, northwest; second do,
Fifteenth street and Pennsylvania avenue 10
a. M. to II M, exhibition of engines--stcam.
chemical, on Wheels aud portable-and fire
escapes, same locality; 10 M. to 3 p. M, OK
hibition of inventions now in tho hall Of tho
convention, and 1880 p. M, regular business
meeting. The president was compelled to alb
sent himself from the convention, aud called
Chief Ii. c. Sexton, of st. Louis, to the chair,
which he filled for the remainder of the even.
ing. An invitation from Mr.. NJ. b. Brady, re-
questng the delegates to call and inspect his
gallery, was accepted. The next business in
order was tho reception of tho reports from
committees on various topics. A rnnoFt -irfft5
read on topic No. l. should Life-Saving be
tho First Consideration p stating that in ali
civilized countries saving life at fires was of
paramount consideration. Regarding II prop
osition 10 establish lifo-savng CORPS
separate from the regular fire department, it
was said to be not advisable. Instead, how.
ever, IL was recommended that all hose
carriages should be so constructed MS TO carry
two ladders, each eighteen feet in length,
which, when splccd, would In many cases act
as fre-escapcs. Chief engineers were requested
to urge upon the legislative bodies of their re-
spectivc States the necessity for the passage of
| an act carrying out the proposed hOse-clrragc
| accompaniment. This report, rs well as the
succeeding ones, was adopted. Topic No. 2,
relative to the requirements of frc.hosc,
fbat tba, cbn ho oh m tha
greatest pressure of water that could be
brought to bear, and tho wear and
tear of about three years use. No. 3, THE
Best Manner of Supply Water for distinguishing
Fires" was by the reservoir system. Pipes
should be properly laid and cisterns connected
with tho large mains, tho capacity of tho
cistcrns to DO from 500 to 1000 barrels, and
they should be kept full. No. 4-lnspectors Of
buildings to corporate with the fire depart
mcnts of all the cities. The cities should be dis
tricted with view to this cooperation, aud none
but practical fircmen should be appointed in
spectors. No. 6-The chief engineer of each
department WIS suggested as tho proper per-
son to investigate the cause of fires in cities
having 100000 inhabitants, and fire marshals
in those having above that number. Reports
on Nos. 3, Z, S, 8, 10, IL, 10, II, TO- 20, 81 and
% not being ready, were laid over until this
evening. No. 12-Relatvc to frcmen getting
into buildings filled with smoke, gave rise to
considerable discussion, rs the commit
tee declined to recommend or indorso
any particular apparatus. No. 10, treat
ing OF a practical fire hydrant, claimed
that post hydrants were preferable to
flush, as they could more easily be distin-
guished especially in dark and stormy nights.
No, IL asked that legislative action be taken
in the cases of fire companies doing work out
side of their town limits. No. 16, recommend
| ing that all fire departments have Siamese
/ g HI
moro force and water could be obtained. No.
ls-Tno fire alarm telegraph is invaluable,
and should be under the control of the chief
of each fire department. No. 22-That fire
authorities or competent agents should havo
entire control of building inspections, COM
bustible materials, inspection of steam boilers
on land or water, aud other matters affecting
| fire hazards. The entire evening was con-
sumed in discussing the reports, and at IL p. m.
a motion to adjourn until 1870 this evening
was carried.
The pilgrimage to Mount Vernon yesterday
by tho Chief Engineers now in attendance
upon the convention in this city was Il grand
success Chief Engineer Martin Cronin, as.
sisted by Messrs. ID. +. Craven, acting foreman
of Truck A ; II. Steele, Of No. Engine COM
pany, and Harry Armstrong, secretary Of the
| Board Of Fire Commissioners, attended TO all
the details aud performed their duty very
credtably, as nothing was left undone that
might conduce to the pleasure OF the visitors.
Tho steamer w. w, Corcornn left her wharf
promptly at l0a. m, and after delightful
ride of an hour aud half Mount Vernon
was reached The voyage was enlivened with
music by the Marine Band, and every one
seemed in the bost spirits. Tho boat was COM
fOrtably filed, and Captain Blake looked after
his guests in his usual courteous manner
Colonel J. MGH. Holingsworth, superintendent
| at Mount Vernon, met the visitors ut the wharf
a nd nd ham m tha nd
explaining the various topics most dear to all
| lovers of the immortal Washington. The
Colonel seems happy when lie has n large crowd
to entertain, and the many expressions of APP
probation yesterday served to confirm this
| impression. The mansion and grounds were
thoroughly inspected, aud many souvenirs of
| their visit were carried away by the pilgrims.
Lunch was served at time when everybody
was hungry, and the fare was heartily ell
joyed. Many regrets were expressed when the
time for starting home was announced, but q
unanimous vote showed that tho trip had been