The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-15

The National Convention Of The AssocIa.
tion Of Fire Engineers was called to order
yesterday at 9:45 A. N. by President Watt
Taylor, OF Richmond.
Chief Hendricks, OF New Haven, Conn,
asked Chief Sweenie TO explain in eOnnec-
tion with Topic 8 the system Of appoint.
ments in vogue In Chicago.
Chief SweenIe explained that there were
Substitutes attached to the department for
every grade, and when vacancy occurs in
the regular force a substitute Is appointed
to serve on trial for sixty days; then II
satisfactory, he is appointed. Engineers
are promoted from assistants, and assistants
from substitutes who have passed an exami.
nation and been favorably recommended by
their captain. The first duty 10 which as.
siStant engineers are assigned Is work in
the repair shops, and they must give satis-
faction there before they can be appointed.
Drivers are EXAMINED TO see what they know
about horses and driving. Chief Sweenie
thought the system good one and secured
good men.
POLITICIANS.
Chief Wood, OF Syracuse, said that he
could not control the matter OF appoint
ments, as his commissioners are politicians,
aud they insist on putting in their men.
THE NEW YORK SYSTEM.
Chief Bates, being called on, explained
that the system in New York was different.
There a man who has passed a medical eX-
animation may be appointed as a private,
receiving $500 a year; at the end OF two
years he may be appointed fireman, and
receive 5000; and at the end OF four years
service may receive 81 600 year. Promo
tious ther 20 forward from the ranks ac-
cording TO merit.
On motion, the report Of the Committee
on Topic No. was adopted.
WATER WORKS.
The following was submitted:
Mr.. President and Members o. the Asso-
ciation,-Topic Nc. 0, which was reierrel ]
10 this committee, is OF vast importance. In
the absence Of the majority OF your commit
tee we will con6ne ourselves 10 part OF the
subject ouly-waler.w works used for fire pro-
teciion and domestic supply.
TIE question ~, Is 1t economy 10 provide
only for the present w8ntsI IL Is the Opin-
ion OF your committee that IL IS nOt2 Each
town or city can best Judge Of its future
prospects. TO illustrate, we will suppose
Il town or city to have 10000 inhabitants,
and relying on its wateT.wOrks for fire
protection. The engine or steam be used
should be in duplicate to provide against
accidents and 10 allow for Increase OF pop
ulatiou, and 10 be not less than l20-horse
power. The principal mains, or those lead
ing fiom the works TO the centre OF the
city, should be Of diameter not less than
sixteen inches, and no pipe laid Of les than
six inches. Shut-off gates at all street
crossings and hydrans should be placed at
not more than 500 yards apart. 1t is econ
/ 4. h1tsf III
The cost of first class hydTants are but little
more than the cost OF n section of hose, and,
OF course, it lasts much longer. The pipe
should be large enough and Of the best
quality. All work should be done in the
best manner, with power beyond the pres
ent wants.
In the opinion Of your committee 1t Is
true economy to do all work in q thorough
manner. To make water-w0rks FOR IRE
protection efficient, there should be In con-
nection a fre-alarm system giving speed
and precision in arriving at a fire. The loss
will be reduced to a minimum. Insurance
companies are pleased to take the risk,
knowing that their profits will Offset the
losses in larger places, not so well protect
ed. Look well TO future growth. Put 10
good and substantial works in every par
tieular and the protection secured will
amply repay. THOMAS ONEILE,
j. G. PEYDERGAsT,
ISAAC ATKINS.
LIFE-INsURANCE.
The topic Of water mains, &c, was un-
der discussion when The order OF the day
firemen's life-insurance-was called for.
Chief McCooI, of Pottsville, Pa, spoke,
opposing the plan OF life-insuraDce asso-
citation. He pointed ont what he regarded
as the falacy Of the cooperative scheme OF
lfe.insurance, and did not think II could
be made to work satisfactorily.
Chief Stockell favored the report Of the
committee.
On motion the report was rejected.
COMMITTEE on EXHIBITS.
The President named the following as a
Committee on Exhibits: Chiefs Green, Nc
Cool, Bunker, BigelOw, and Pendergast.
FIRE.ALARM.
Topic No. was Can fire department,
paid or volunteer, be ellicieat without the
aid Of Il fre-alarm telegraph The CON-
mittee reported, in substance, mo"
Adopted.
FIREMEN's CORRESPONDENTS.
Tonic % was: "Is the correspondence
now so freely published by journals wholly
or in part devoted to fire literature con-
duciye TO the best interests OF ire depart
mentsf"
The committee condemned such eorre-
snondence as deals in personalities and un-
fair criticism and approved such as contains
practical information about experiments,
| improvements, &c.
Adopted.
TOPIC no. 2-ELECTRICITY.
The committee reporting on the subject
OF electrical wires used especially for light
ing purposes urged better insulstion.
Quite number Of members discussed this
| subject. Mr.. Stover, OF Boston, gave
good deal OF practical Information. Mr..
! KiyelI, OF Norfolk, said that there would
be forty electric lights in operation at Nor
folk during the Yorktown Centennial. The
whole subject was Tecommitted to a special
committee, consisting OF Messrs. Wood,
Sweenie, and Leshure; Mr.. StoTer adyl-
sorry member.
JOHN ". oTEY, ESQ.,
Mr.. w. l.. Cowardn presented The fol-
lowing: -
| UNDERWRITERS,
NEW York, September 8, 1881. }
John NJ Otey, Esq, Richmond, Va;
Dear Sir,-We have the pleasure OF ad-
yising you OF your appointment ns dele
gate representing the National Board OF
| Fire Underwriters at the ninth annual Con-
vention OF the National Association OF Fire
Eugineers to be held in your city on the
18th Instant. Trusting that II will be con-
,,e 1ient for you to attend the sessions OF
m M body, and hoping in due time to be in
form ed with such report Of the same as you
W = a., hln or ni infnreSf We are