The state journal., 1883-12-29
MEETING OF FIRE COMMITTEE.
Chairman Ettla Makes an Address-A
ShnIIl IlisnnGsinn

The regular meeting of the Fire Com
mittee was held on Wednesday evening
| There were several members absent. Tn
usual monthly bills were read and aI
proved after which Chairman Ettla, on
of the oldest iremen in the city and &C
lively interested in matters pertaining f
the department, read the following ad
dress. In it he makes some excellen
suggestions
To the Fire Committee
GENTLEMEN AS chairman of til,
committee, | desire to call your attention
to the following subjects, which are o
| the utmost Importance to the committee
as in our hands is placed the protection
! OF the property Of the people; and with
| out our discharge of the duty intruste(
to us, by seeing these things are in proper
condition, we cannot be blameless in case
of severe loss being sustained in oul
community by fire;
HOSE.
The hose has been gathered together
from all the engine houses, and all
| deemed worthy repaired. At the fire on
Broad street one section of the Hope
bursted, and at the fire in Blackberry
avenue two sections. At this fire / am
also informed one section of the Friend
ship was bursted. This shows that the
hose now in use is in bad condition. Each
supervisor has been furnished with three
sections Of hose for his use in washing
out sewers, etc. Requests are made upon
myself and the different fire companies
for the use of hose for private purposes
l sincerely hope no member Of the com
mittee will give his consent to loan hose
which is in serviceable condition, in the
possession of any company. Several sec
tons of hose unfit for fire purposes re-
main in possession of the committee,
which the Highway Committee could use
with little expense, and this should be at
the service of the people.
SNOW IN FRONT OF FIRE PLUGS.
Much difficulty is experienced at the
fire plugs during the winter season,
distely In In tF6nT 81 tle 9I;?an~tha- -sra'E-
ing the steamers from being drawn close
enough to attach the suction In many
cases. I have been informed that 1t has
been announced by the City Solicitor that
il is the duty of the Fire and Water Com
mittee to keep them clean, and not the
dntv of the Supervisor. This must be in
vestigated, and, if the duty devolves on
this committe, let us discharge it.
CONDITION OF THE FIRE PLUGS.
The condition of the fire plugs deserves
immediate attention. Where the blame
lies must and will be ascertain ed.
The plug on Broad street could not be
opened. If frozen or broken, cannot tell.
The one at Third and Market streets,
practical engineers and good, active fire
men saw, was not in good condition, and
water only came after the application OF
steam The fact has at least been ascer
tanned. that men who have been active
firemen since the introduction OF the water
| in our then small borough, are toe agn0f
ant to open fire plug t0-ddy. so says
one who knows all about it. There are
at least five different styles of fire plug
| in the city, compelling the companies L
carry as many different kinds Cf spanncrs
I would suggest that this committee asl
| the Water committee to have uniform
fire hvdrant for the city. | would ais
recommend the purchase of small hos
for each company, to be attached t
steam pipe on engines for the purpose c
thawing frozen plugs.
FIRE ALARM KEYS.
There has been frequent complaint
trouble to get the keys of alarm boxes
time of fire. | have received from IL
chief engineer the list Of persons wi
have keys, and find that many boxes hay
not the number of keys in their neighbo
hood they should have, or in proper place
while many keys are out, the holder b
ing unknown.
FIRE ALARM AND TELEPHONE WIRE
Much complaint has also been made
: the many false and incorrect alarms
= fire in the different engine houses. L.
cause has been found in the neglect OF t
Telephone company, their employees
making the proper connection OF t
wires when repairing or stretching ne
lines. The person in charge of the f
alarm and the chief engineer should
~ port promptly the day and date of all
g reference with the alarm to this comm
If tee.
STEAMERS.
" | would report the return of the frier
ship steamer, and the expected arrival
the Hope in day or two. Our engll
will all be in good working order aga
and after the purchase of new Hs
truck and additional hose, our fire
0 partment will be prepared for any EN-
gency.
AT the conclusion Of Mr. Ettla's
DR. marks, DR.. Hutton, president of Comm
II Council, who claimed the privilege
LII the floor, rose to cxonerate the pipe !
err committee from alleged neglect of d
in looking after the fire plugs.
roundly abused the newspaper report
Il for alleged misstatements, and den
40 that fire plugs could be froz
10 His remarks brought other mt
re hers of the Fire Committee
A. their feet and sharp discussion ensr
III Mt Wolz, an old and active tirem
took issue with Mr.. Hutton, and said
was willing to make affidavit that on
" night of the fire in Blackberry ave
M the plug at Third and Market streets
frozen. and had to be thawed out
hot water. BE moved that twenty
be of hose be purchased for each comp
go in order that boiling water may be
''o piled hereafter when plugs are 1ouh
te- the same condition. The motion
nassed with rush and met general
proyal. DR.. Hutton's remarks were
at regarded in very favorable light