Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-09-08

wealth, as well as frequent occasion of ter
rible loss of life, can be materially re-
duced? We believe there is. 1t is we'll
known that the majority Of our destruc-
tive fires would have been prevented II q
good fire engine could have arrived On the
spot ten or fifteen minutes earlier than it
did. 1t is this ten or fifteen minutes which
| We must save, if possible. For this pur-
pose, we propose that the municipal or
state governments, as measure of public
| safety, put telegraph line into every
| house in the city and connect it with the
| nearest fire engine station. This is merely
extending to al, for the general good, one
of the advantages which the rich now ELL
joy. How is it possible that We have had
such messenger within our reach for
years, without having made more and bet
ter use of it? For tho most perfect pro
| lection, there should be call-knOb on
every floor OF each house. If this tele-
graph system can bc made telcphonic. SO
much the better.
The construction of such telegraph
system would probably cost less than one
half the annual loss by fires. In Chicago,
for example. it ought not to cost more
than $500, 900. Can any one doubt that.
after the people have learned to use it
wisely, it will reduce by 1T least half the
present destruction of fire, not only for
sne year but for every year
There arc several other incidcatal ad-
vantages which would result. from having
a telegraph in every house, that should
not he overlooked.
1st. Connection could be established
with the central telegraph offices, SO that
a business man would be able to telegraph
to all parts of the country and of the world
without leaving his home. One immelli-
ate effect Of this would be that telegraph
ing would become more general, and con
sequently much cheaper than it now is or
can be. 1t might eventually supersedc
the mails.
I'd. Connection could be established be-
tween every home Or store and the nearest
police station, by which, without stirring
from bed even, Il policeman could. on
emergency, be quickly and secretly called
at any time.
Sd. Connection can he made with the
residence of the family physician, by
which he can be called 1T tho shortest
notice.
4th. Connection can be made with an i'll
tellisence office, by which an errand-boy,
girl, or servant of any kind can be called
to do any needed service.
9th. Connection can be made between
the home and the place of business, 50
that the two can be in constant communi
cation, however separated.
nce1 not mention the educating power
of the presence of such an instrument in
the family, which will be felt by both the
younger and older members OF the house
hold. Those who have had a telegraph in
their homes for years esteem this one of
its greatest advantages.
The chief objection raised against this
plan will probably be, not it's expense, not
impracticability, but that fools and knaves
will make troublesome or dangerous use
OF it. Is this danger SD great as to weigh
with any force against it's adoption No
one will think SO who has observed the
working of other similar arrangements,
open to the use of all in our free country.
The cord which runs from the engine
through the cars in al American railroad
train is within the reach of all the knaves
and fools on the train but We all know
how seldom it is touched by those who
have 10 right to do SO. TransgrcssiOn in
such matter brings such quick and severe
punishment that it cOrrects ITSELF
If, in addition to the telegraph, every
three houses be required to keep IL good
prepared for instant use
and in place known and accessible to all
the inmates of the three houses, could VIC
not reasonably expect to reduce to one
fourth the present average loss by ire in
our country?
Which city will lead the way