Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-09
A SALVAGE CORPS.
An Important Adjunct 30 the Fire
Service.

At the meeting of Council last evening
the following important petition, which ex-
plains itself, was read and was referred to
the Joint Committee on Finance and Fire.
The proposition is an excellent one and viii
likely receive favorable consideration:
SAVANNAH. November s, 1882.
TO the Honorable the Mayor ana Aldermen o.
the City Of SdUdnndh:
Your petitioners, q committee authorized
bv and representing the various insurance
agents doing business in the city, beg to
bring to the notice of your honorable bodY
that thew contemplate the organic alton OF
salvage corps for the better protection OF
property in case of fire. Said corps will
consist of one chief and four men, with one
double-horse wagon and the necessary
equipment in the wav OF tsrpaulins, hre
extinguishers, etc, as is more speclncaIly
set forth 10 exhibit A, hereto attached, such
outfit costing In the aggregate the estimated
sum of 81, $50. 1t is also estimated that the
annual cost to the insurance companies OF
maintaining the corps will amount TO
$3,O8O.
The usefulness OF such corps has been
fully demonstrated in most of the principal
cities of the Union, where, in almost un-
numbered instances, they have been the
means Of preventing disastrous conhagra-
lions and in protecting and saving the con-
tents OF buildings where the buildings them
selves have been destroyed. A printed
annual report of the New York corps, a
copy Of which we hand you herewith, is the
best argument for the formation Of q similar
corps in this city.
Tboroughness of organization is contem-
plated in all of the estimates and plans now
presented, and 1t is our intention, as far as
possible, to be guided by the experience OF
the New York corps.
1t is no part of our plan tn interfere in any
way with the existing Fire Department, but
simply to add to its efficiency.
Our corps will respond to all fire calls,
but will, of course, while at the IRE De
under the orders of the Chief Fireman.
1t will be seen that what we propose will
offer additional protection to taxpayers OF the
civ, without reference to whether they are
insured or not-tbat we do this at consid-
cradle original outlay, and with the certainty
OF heavy annual expense to the companies
and, moreover, that from the character OF
the work to be done, we shall have to expect
to replace our equipment, as from time TO
time It shall become damaged or destroyed
In the service of the city.
To carry out the plan completely, build
ing will be necessary for the storage Oh
equipment, stables for horses and quarters
for men, and we respectfully ask Of your
honorable'body that that part OF the ex-
pense be undertaken by the city. 1t Is the
lesser part, and in view of the benefit that
will be derived by all citizens Especially
those who are unable to pay for insurances)
from the workings of a good salvage corps,
we do not think that it is asking too much.
Room for such building may be found
In rear of Fireman's Hall, on South Broad
street, and we have the estimate OF COM
petent builder that house, such as Is rep
resented in the annexed plans, may be built
for the sum of 1000. [See exhibit B, here
With.
Asking a favorable consideration OF this
request, and reply at as early day as the
nature of the case will admit, your petition
ers will ever pray, etc,
W. H. DANIEL, Chairman.
CHAs H OLMsTEAD,
CHARLES T. PRENDERGAsT,
Committee.
The above application meets with my
approval, and think 1t will be very ser
viceable acquisition to the department.
OsCEOLA BUTLER
Chief Savannah Fire Department.