Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-08-29
FIRE MATTERS.
What a Correspondent Has TO say
ON the Subject.

ohh INC ShDIects
An old fireman has handed in the fol
lowing for publication. The plan sug
gested is a little too steep for a town Of
Eureka's pretensions. We do not agree
with u correspondent that our water
supply is wholly inadequate. On the occa-
sion Of the late disastrous ~confagration
the water from one source and another
held out until the last. The difficulty
seemed to be in not getting the full pressure
at the critical moment-in the beginning,
But here is what our correspondent has to
say:
EDITOR SENTINEL-While we wait in
meek submission, listening to anathenias
hurled from the different pulpits, our
town compared to Sodom and Gomorrah,
and the late calamity attributed to the
wrath Of an offended God visited upon O
wicked people, golden minutes are fitting
by, precious time is being lost, time that
ought to be improved in providing for
our common defense. Several plans have
been suggested looking toward better pro-
lection against fire, but none seem to meet
the requirements Of the case. The present
water supply is totally unfit to be de-
pended upon any longer. To buy q water
supply of sufficient capacity, bring it to
town in substantial piping. lay a new fire
main, and make the necessary connections
to fire-plugs, etc., would cost at least
500, 600. Mr.. McMahon's suggestions are
sensible and deserve consideration, but to
employ thirty paid iremen to handle the
present apparatus, without an additional
i aupplv of watar would Ioava No in abauf
the same condition as now. His ideas
regarding discipline, however, are practi-
cal and good. Now, since the plans sug-
gested are not feasible, something
else must be proposed, and thus keep
the subject before the people, so that
something may be done soon to prevent
another worse disaster than that of the
18th instant, and if the writer of this ar
ticle succeeds in interesting our solid men
so the subject may be discussed, with a
view to an improvement on the present
deplorable fire system and water supply,
he will be amply repaid and well satisfied.
The plans l have to suggest are as follows:
Let the volunteer department remain as it
is, elect a board of five Fire Commission
ers: allow them to elect a Chief Engineer,
who shall be the recognized head Of the
entire fire department.; build of brick and
cement ten cisterns, six on Main street,
two on Buel street, and two on Monroe
street, of sufficient capacity to supply a
steam fire engine for two hours each; pur-
chase a steam fire engine Il know Of two,
in perfect order, either Of which can be
bought for about one-half Of thier original
cost; after this is lone perfect the organ
ization of the new department which when
complete will consist of a Chief Engineer,
First Assistant Engineer and Foreman
engineer, foreman or driver, and eight
hosemen. The cost of this department
will not exceed $40, 900. l have estimated
it as follows:
| Ten cisterns a $3.50. -. IS $500
One steam fire engine. ......... 5000
1000 feet best 3-ply carbolized hose
N. IL. Price $3.50. ............. l,OO0
Fittings for m ......... 100
l hose cart and reel for steamer. $50
House and furniture for men and
steamer. 1000
Repairs, putting in order, etc. 200
Freight on steamer ......... $50
Total. ............. ......S $3.50
The cost Of running this department per
month is estimated as follows:
Salary Of Chief Engineer per month $ 200
Salary of First Assistant Engineer
and Foreman per month. -. 80. $50
Salary OF Engineer per month ...... 1875
Salary Of Foreman or Driver per
month 10
Salary of 8 hosemen q $40 per month 800
Expenses Of fuel, oil, etc. ......... 100
Total. .........,.... ..s...S l,UuO
/ submit these figures as / have roughly
estimated them. l believe they can be de-
creased considerably. l have suggested in
my opinion the most economical and prac-
teal plan yet brought out, il anyone has
anything better, / would like to hear from
them. I believe the price of the steamer
can be raised by subscription, and the de-
probation in rates of insurance will go far
towards balancing the expense Of the de-
partment. Respectfully submitted, H.