The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-13
TIE PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE
THIRD.sTREET ENGINE.
"A Few Pertinent 0uestions-A Large Area
TO be Left nprotected---somethina for
Propcry-Owners and Insurance Men to
Consider
fFor the Dispatch.I


DO the people OF Monroe and Jackson
Wards realize the fact that the Common
Council has passed a resolution to remove
the efficient fire-engine and company 10
Gated for so many years on Third street
near Broad from their present central and
commanding position to some point in CLAW
Ward near Monroe and Cary streetsY
! Do the people OF this city realize the fact
that such removal will leave one solid
square mile Of territory, in the heart Of the
city, most closely built up and densely por-
ulated. without adequate protection from
: the dangers OF tiref
Do the insurance companies. who carry
risks OF millions OF dollars in this territory,
realize how much increase OF hazard will
accrue by this proposed changer Who is
asking for this change, and whyl Is il
done in the interest OF the whole communi-
/ ty, or is it done 10 make popularity for
members OF the Council from Clay Ward Z?
Are Monroe and Jackson Wards TO be the
only wards IN the city within whose limits
no engine or hose-company is to be station
ed? This proposed change, IL carried out.
will leave Marshall. jefferson, and Madison
Wards, with one steamer each. and Clay
Ward with two. Monroe and Jackson
Wards with none.
This Thrd-street steamer Is now located
on the ridge or backbone Of the city, or the
longest and most used OF all tie streets run
ming north and south. ID Is within four
squares of the best portion OF Jackson
Ward. II is within from three to five min
utes' distance OF the handsomest and largest
OF our public cditlccS-thc alnishouse; and
should fire occur at that point can reach 1t
long before any other steamer. In most cities
the rule is 10 mass as far as possible the
power of the fire department in the centre,
with lines OF easy access TO the circumfer-
cnce. This is the sensible plan Of econo-
MIXING force, because all points can
more quickly be reached from the
centre than from any given point
on the circumference. But our expert
menters are about TO reverse the rule. Is
not this a wilful and deliberate trifing
with the best interests CT the cityr In the
southwestern portion OF the city the build
in9s are detached, with wide intervals be-
tween Indeed. there are no squares close
ly built. Hence large coniagration is
almost impossible in that section. How
different is the ease in that heavy tay-pay-
ing district bounded north by the corpora
ton line, east by Ninth street, south by the
river, and west by First street. including
nearly all Of the business portion OF our
great retail avenue OF Broad street. A fire
breaking out there, where every available
foot Of ground is covered with buildings
filed with costly merchandise, might re-
suit in fearful loss to this and the next
generation, while orr eXperimenters are
bringing up their forces from the suburban
districts.
Is the Council willing to encounter such
q risk ? Ii such disaster should occur by
reason OF the removal OF this steamer from
its present central position an indignant
people will accept OF no excuses from those
who are responsible. Some years ago an
attempt was made TO put this steamer in
q ameasure out OF service, and bad neirly sue
ceeded. II was only defeated by the vigi-
lance Of our worthy present Mayor. who
interposed with his veto, and by the sober
second thought OF the Board OF Aldermen,
who sustained that veto. Does the present
Fire Committee think that because Monroe
Ward has had no representation on that
committee for the past six years that there
fore she j. not entitled to have any fire en-
gine within her bordersY What say the
people, and what are the representatives OF
Monroe and Jackson Wards in the Council
doing TO prevent this remOyalI What re-
Spouse will the Mayor and Aldermen make
to these considerations OF the
PUBLIC WELFARE.