The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-10

teresting Topics that are 10 be Discussed ON
this OccrsIen-Chief Taylor and Ex-Chief
| AinsIie ON vaters-Arrangements, etc.
/ One OF the many assemblies TO convene
| in Richmond this centennial year Is that OF
| the annual meeting of the National Associ-
alton OF Fire Engineers, which takes place
about the middle OF next September. This
| Association is now In the tenth year OF its
existence, and IL composed OF the acting and
ex.chief engineers of the fire departments
throughout the United States. The last
meeting was held in Boston, when 1t was
decided that the convention for 1881 should
be held IN this city. The assembling of this
body Is always attended with much inter-
est, since they II eet 10 examine and pass
upon inventions and improvements 10 hre-
department supplies, and also to report
upon and discuss all live topics appertain-
ing to fire departments generally.
The committee on topics for this year
have lust made their report OF the topics,
Itwenty.three in number, to be reported
upon and discussed here at the coming
meeting, together with the respective COM
mittees for the same. The following are
the topics, and they will be subjects OF in
terest TO many readers:
Isl. "The importance OF having spare
apparatus, hose, etc., on hand at all times
ready for an emergency"
I'd. What relation does electricity sustain
10 quick combustion?
Sd. Can fire department, paid or voIun-
teer, be efficient without the aid Of fire.
alarm telegraph?
Ah. Can a chief engineer afford TO give
the time nc cessary to thoroughly post himself
in his various duties when not assured OF
his position for more than one year?
9Th. AS the chief OF fire department Is
held responsible for its work, should he
not have the selection OF the material TO be
used, especially the selection OF officers and
men?
9Th. Should not every State have an asso-
citation OF fire engineers, TO meet annually
TO discuss topics, examine apparatus, and
10 be represented BY delegates in the Ma
ltional Convention?
7th. What is the cheapest department for
a city to maintain, taking the rates Of in
surance into cOnsideTatIon-paid or volun-
teer?
9Th. Upon the importance OF candidate
for "A position In a paid fire department,
serving sufficient time as substitute, TO
show his fitness for the position before final
appointment.
9th. Is II economy for village or city to
construct its waterworks cheaply rather
than permanently, or to put down small
mains for present use, regardless OF the
probable requirements Of the place in few
years!
10th. Should the waterworks OF city
be owned and controlled by the city or 4
private corporation?
| 11th. Is not the present system OF ire
insurance as conducted in the United States
an incentive to the incendiary, and does 1t
not also tend to promote recklessness on the
mart Of the builder in the construction as to
fre.risks. both externally and internally?
10Th. The importance OF closer co0pera-
ton between the underwriters and the
neads OF fire departments, particularly in
80 the investigation OF the causes OF fires be-
fore the adjustment OF losses.
18th. Should not the bureau Of inspection,
reDairs. and construction OF buildings be
under the control OF the fire department.
14th. The proper construction OF elevators.
especialy those intended for passengers
also. the measures that may and should be
taken to prevent fire passing from one floor
10 another by way OF eleYator.shafts.
18th. "Iron stand-pipeS and roof SER
vice of pipes and hydrants (as suggested by
; Edward Adkinson) to be part OF the pub
lie fire apparatus, and under the control OF
the fire department"
18th. Automatic fire-eXtinguishers, their
proper places and their right uses.
I7th. The right construction OF roofs and
the material OF which they should be GOV
cred.
18th. What is the best and safest column
: for the support Of floors? also. what can be
: done 10 render safe, columns now in us'
/, that are dangerous in case OF firey
10Th. The various methods OF protecting
,, hose from decay by antiseptic treatment.
Goth. Do the chemicals used In extln'
,, gui, hers help extinguish fresy
DIST. Does the better construction oI
buildings in recent years counterbalanct
the danger OF elevators, and the use ol
upper stories for manufacturing purposes
22d. Is the correspondence now so freely
: published by journals wholly devoted tC
: fire literature conducive to the best Interests
OF fire Departmental
23d. Should not the time OF meeting oi
, this Association be extended beyond III
present stated period OF three days, in order
that fuller discussion OF the topics present
ed NAV be had and apparatus and inven
tions more fully eXamnedS
Ex.Chlef- Engineer George A. Anslie, Ol
this city, has been placed upon the comml
: ltee to report upon topic No. IA, and Chief
.. Engineer G. w. Taylor on topic No. Il.
Noticeable among the committeeman arr
Chief Eli Bates, of New York; Chief Green
OF Boston ex-Chlef Damrei, OF Boston
: Chief Sexton. of st. Louis; Chief O'Connor
of New Orleans; Chief McQuade. of Albany
Chief johnson, of Philadelphia; Chief Swe
nie, of Chicago; and Chief Lashure, o
, Springfield, Mass.
There will most probably be two hundred
: delegates and inventors present. AS pre-
yiouSiy announced, arrangements have beer
made to have them located at Ford's Hotel
= aud the Convention will hold It's sessions II
the hall of the House Of Delegates, while il
the rotunda OF the Capitol there will be
display OF inventions and fire.departmen
supplies.
| Dot rcp EorRT The following cases were