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

DeSt methods OF spreading nre from story
to story OF building which could possibly
be devised.
The committee, In concluding, said that
there Is one method, and only one, by when
elevators can be constructed so as TO entire
ly obyIate the danger, and this is to enclose
each elevator In a brick or ire.proof shaft
or well, communication being had with
each floor by closey-fiiting doors OF iron or
other incombustible material, and kept auto
matically closed when not IN use, the walls
Of the shaft to be carried we'll above the
roof, as in the case OF the ordinary ire-
walls OF any building. Adopted.
MRS. GARFIELD.
A Telegram expressing the sympathy of
the Convention with Mrs. Garfield was pre-
pared, adopted, and ordered to be sent.
PASSENGER ELEVATORS.
Topic No. A." The proper construction
OF elevators, especially those intended Tor
passengers, also the measures that may and
should be taken to prevent fire passing
from one floor 10 another by way OF eleY1-
tor shafts" The committee submitted the
following report: The proper construction
OF elevators, according to the opinion OF
your committee, is that the car should be
solidly built Of fre-proof materials, and
furnished with chocks. In the event OF the
hosting gear giving way the ear would hold
itself in position and prevent loss OF life.
In RI gard 10 the construction OF elevator
shafts TO prevent fire communicating TO the
different floors OF buildings, the committee
reported that eleyator-sbafts generally are
constructed OF the lie htest kind OF iDfllm-
mable material. Some are nothing more
than q thickness OF one plank, with win
dOws and doors opening into each fioor OF
the building. Others are Of studding and
lathes and plaster, which will communicate
fire from one floor TO another as readily
as those built OF plank, and II the shaft
terminates on the TOP floor the fire spreads
| through il and 10 tue rOof very quickly.
An elevator should be built OF at least six
teen inch brick walls, which should extend
| through and at least three feet above the
roof, With glass sky.lights on top With light
glass protected by wire netting. The doors,
| opening into each other, should be OF hre-
proof material, and made to tit close, and
should always be kept closed except when
admitting passengers or merchandise.
Adopted.
| Adjourned at 1910 10 meet at s p. NJ.
EXCURSION DOWN THE RIVER.
Tie members Of the Convention, under
the charge Of President Watt Taylor and
the committee OF arrangements. were placed
| in carriages and driven 10 the prineipal
places OF interest in the city, and then to
Rockets, where they embarked on the
steamer Northampton. They sailed down
the river as far as City Point. where the
monitor feet was visited, and, returning,
reached Richmond about q O'Clock. kess-
nch's band furnished music. The weather
was pleasant, and The visiting gentlemen eX-
pressed themselves pleased with the trip
and the hospilaities shown them.
Night Session.
The Association was called 10 order about
$40 By President Watt Taylor, who soon
afterwards called TO the chair Vice-Presi-
dent McCool, Of Poltsyllle.
QUORUM OR Not.
There was a point raised as 10 whether
there was a quorum present. Tue Chalr
said that be knew OF no constitutional pro-
vision concerning a quorum, and that, ac'
cordiDg to his view, II there was one mem
Der present at the time appointed for Dusl-
ness it was quorum.
REPORTS.
Reports on a number OF topics were called
for, but the committees not being ready,
the topics were passed bv.
A lengthy paper on the advantages OF CO.
operation between underwriters and hre
Departments to ascertain the origin of tires
was presented from committee, OF which
Charles L. Holloway, OF Baltimore, was
chairman, and adopted.
Personal.
On motion OF x.Chief Bennett, of Cleve-
land, John j. King, Esq. chairman OF the
Council Committee on Fire Department,
was elected a member OF this Association.
ROOFS.
The committee to whom was recommit-
ted the subject submitted an amended re-
port, which was adopted:
1. No Mansard or French roofs, so
called. aud as now constructed In this
country, ought TO be permitted on stores,
storehouses, or manufactures, nor on
dwellings IN closely-buit localities, or upon
connected buildings.
3. All roofs should be as nearly fiat as
will be practicable with proper drainage.
3. In the building Of rows OF houses the
party walls should be continued distance
Of from one to four feet above the roof,
solidly built, and without permitting any
open or fiue.connec.ion with the adjoining
buildings.
A. There can be no doubt that good
concrete or gravel and asphatum, or some
other non c0mbustible, is the best material
for roofs for general purposes.
TELEGRAM AND ANSWER.
The following was adopted at the morn
ING session, on molten OF Mr.. o. n. Crane !:
ReS0iued, That we, the fire engineers
of the United States, assembled in c0nven-
tion In the S'ate-b0use at Richmond, Va,
do extend 10 President Garfield, bis devoted
wife, and children. our tender sympathy,
and sincerely hope that bis recovery may be
rapid. and that ere long he may be restored
10 health and ever prove blessing TO his
family and 10 this great DaliOn.
Res0iUed, That copy Of this resolution
be transmitted to Mrs. Garfield and pub
lished in our minutes.
TIE following answer was received last
night:
ELBERoN, n. j., September IA, 1891.
To Henry A. HiliS, Secretary National as
socidtioh Fire Engineers:
Mrs. Garfield desires me TO acknowledge
the receipt OF your telegram OF tbis date,
and to express. through you, to the men,
hers OF the Association her grateful thanks
for the cheering words Of sympathy and
eDcOufiSement VVhtaihVu hNie'i' ~" NV "
appreciation Of the deep interest manifested
by the Association in the Presidents re-
c0yery. J' STANLEY DkO"N'
CHEMICAL ENGINES.
Mr.. Holloway, Of Baltimore, submitted
two reports on the workings OF chemical
engines, fluids employed, &C.. which were
read and adopted.
THE EXHIBITS.
The exhibition In the rotunda Of improved
goods and appliances for fire departments Is
not large one, but II is yet sufficient TO be