Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-19
Two heaters S4OO.


estimated cost of $4,000.
The two-wheel carts, now in poor condi-
ton, be changed to two-horse four-whsel
carts.
One supply wagon.
One wagon for fire alarm department..
One four-circuit repeater.
Ten 6re-alarm boxes.
CIsTERNs.
One central reservoir, situated in the
district bounded by Jackson, Fifth, Rosa
bel and Third streets, of a capacity of
5000 barrels.
One on Dayton's Bluff, in the vicinity
of the residence of p. II.
Kelly, Esq. and one at location of
proposed engine house, above 1000 bar
rels.
One in the vicinity of tho Garfield school
building, Sixth ward.
Either two cisterns or four drive wells
on the fiat in the Sixth ward.
One drive we'll, corner Rice and Mime
haha streets. Third and Fourth wards.
R. o. STRONG, Chief Engineer.
THE FIRE ALARM.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF F1Rl)
ALARM, ST. PAUL, Dec. Is.
R. o. Strong, Chief st. Paul Rire Depart
ment:
SIR-I herewith submit the following re-
port of changes and improvements needed
in the fire alarm telegraph system to make
1t equal to the requirements of a city of
$4,000 inhabitants:
First would recommend that the pres
emit two circuit repeater be replaced with a
four circuit repeater, and all boxes now in
circuit be made mountaineering boxes:
Second-That more room be furnished
the telegraph department, our present
rooms being too small for the proper
handling Of our present battery. would
recommend that at least three rooms be
furnished this department, namely, bat
terry, instrument and store rooms.
Third-Owing to the increased miles of
wire, horse and wagon has become an alb
solute necessity for the exclusive use of the
telegraph department.. Also the assistance
of at least one extra man-two would in
sure much better condition of the gen
eral system. And as the telegraph system is
the fundamental part of the entire fire de-
partment, it is therefore necessary the
same should be kept in good working or
der at all times, which cannot be done ex-
cept the lines and boxes be examined daily,
The promptness of the fire department.
depends entirely upon the prompt and
proper receipt of an alarm from the box
pulled for fires.
Therefore the telegraph department
should not be made, as heretofore, Sec
ondary consideration, but should
be considered equal if not of
more importance than any other
branch, and therefore should be properly
manned and equipped at all times, to be
able to repair promptly and remove all
trouble from ground or interferences from
other wires.
Our present system of communication
between engine house, chief and superin-
tendent by means of talking instruments
is entirely too primitive. We should be
connected by good telephone system.
Fourth-The superintendent should be
able to devote his full tins to the system.
and in full charge of his department re-
sponsible to and under orders of the Board
of the Fire Commissioners only.
Fifth-We need at least ten additional
fire alarm boxes.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Yours respectfully,
3. Il. LEvER1DGE.
Supt. of Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Mr.. Noyes then proceeded with the re-
port of the committee as follows:
Your committee respectfully recommend
that work on the new system of wires be
pressed forward to completion at the ear
lest practicable moment, and when COM
pleted that the services of the ablest and
most experienced fro alarm operator OBJ
tainable be secured to test thoroughly their
practical working. The fire-alarm sig
mails are indispensable, and if prompt and
reliable are invaluable. If irregular, or in
correct they are worse than useless.
10 render this essential department of
the service more complete and efficient is
our first duty; and it can only be accom-
plished at some expense.
A salary sufficient to compensate a
thoroughly able and experienced electrician
should at once be provided for, as at pres
emit only $500 is available and only partial
service is contracted for.
The recommendation of tho board of
commissioners that horse and wagon be
furnished to the alarm operator-who has
many miles OF wire under his CHARGES
reasonable one, as also is his request for an
assistant as ''battery-man."
THE TwO-CIRCUIT REPEATER
at Telegraph headquarters should at once
be replaced by four-circuit one, and all
boxes now in circuit should be made non
interfering. Ten new boxes should be sup
piled, all old defective ones thrown out,
and all boxes tested, at least twice week.
and the circuit, as now, three times daily.
If any box is found out of order q printed
slip should at once be attached, stating its
condition until repaired.
substantial building should at once
be erected on the city property Sixth
street between Minnesota and CEDAR to
accommodate the new Hayes truck, chem
ical engine, supply and telegraph wagons,
and for use as headquarters of the tele-
graph department.. Improved commuui-
cation between headquarters and engine
house is very desirable. Some independ-
emit
TELEPHONE SYSTEM
is needed in place of the imperfect and
ANTICIPATED talking" instruments now in
use.
Regarding other recommendations, yonr
committee especially approve of and com
mend the proposed change of our present