Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-19
conpE1ENr FIRE DEPARTMENT.

4 IUe lGeShtC OF IeSterONJS IRceSLSOVttON-
( CHEZ Engineer Stetson's testimony Ia
| Brief-Sho,rs the Twenty-Five Per Cent.
! Increase Robbery.
The fire department. was Intercepted at
the investigation yesterday afternoon.
The testimony hitherto adduced was first
briefly reviewed when Chief Stetson was
placed upon the witness stand. The fol-
lowing is an abstract of his testimony:
PERFECT FLEE ALARM SYSTEM.
1 have never experienced any difficulty
from any defect in our fire alarm
system, except when the wires happened
to be crossed: there is no defect in the sys-
| tenn; have never experienced delay in
consequence of any trouble. lu my annual
report recommended the purchase of
ten more boxes; the cost for these boxes
and twelve miles of wire and five alarm
batteries, about $3,312, the tax levy was
! not sufficient to cover tho cost. l
asked for two more steamers; one chemi-
cal, and three hose carriages, and 5000
feet of additional hose. The council has
ordered only ono hose carriage and
1000 feet OF hose. 1 have
seven carriages now, and about
1000 feet Of first class hose; 1 have seven
ty-fve men in the department; the
APPARATUS IS ALL WE'LL MANNED;
il is not practical for chief to have
charge of the water works. although he
should understand it; have always enjoyed
the privilege of examining the water
works; I think the fire department very
efficient; it takes from three to four
minutes for tbs department to reach the
business portion of the city, say at dia-
lance of about six blocks; of this time the
department is obliged to wait about twelve
Or thirteen seconds to get the number Of
the box pulled; at fires mains are shut
off 10 cut off the waste-the
domestic supply; the best way would be
to have large pipes and more pressure at
the pumps SO the department can work in
dependent CT the steamers in cases of
emergencies; think I could have con-
trolled the Eastman fire with twelve
streams from an inch and quarter or
one half nozzles with strong pressure.
THE NIooLLET AVENUE MAIN
Ibelieve, to throw water on five story
block with effect, without steamers; at the
Syndicate fire no gates were shut; Or
dered mono shut; there was sand in the
pipes ard the gates were open to
clear that out; 1 did not
order the south district shut
because Gid not know the system, and
consequently did not know but the Second
avenue south main came from the south
district, and from this main I got water:
I don't know that the pressure would have
been increased had the south district been
shut off, the hydrant at the corner of Sew
snth street and Nicollet was
FILLED WITH BARK;
Engineer Scallon, of steamer No. 1, wes
obliged to stop several times during the
ere to clean it out; at the Syndicate fire if
We could have had plenty of water at first
I think The carpet house might have been
saved; [ have given orders respecting shut
ting gates and handling water works which
have not been done just as I wanted il
done; VIC have horses enough for our pres
ent eouipnents; when we have long run
like going to Lake Calhoun we use four
horses on an engine, otherwise two horses
are sufficient;
IT IS DANGEROUS
TO use four horses; records show that
accidents are liable to occur when four
horses are attached to an engine; besides
this two horses will make a short run in
less than one half the time which four
horses could; during the time I have been
chief none of my runs have been direlict
in duties SO that discharge resulted; per
haps some of my men have failed some
what in the performance of their duties,
but have not known it;
there is not member of the department
who does not realize that he cannot occu
py his position if be fails in his duty; no
citizen has right to make suggestions to
fireman; all orders are from officers;
DISCIPLINE IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
in fire departments as in military organi
cations. I am thoroughly satisfied my
gatemen is posted respecting his duties;
in case of fire he shuts gates to conduct
the water to the district where the fire is
burning; in case hYdcant is out of order,
it is always reported to the foreman
of his respective district; I
have always found all members
of the water board ready and willing to
render any assistance possible at fires;
know of
NO QUARREL
between the fire department and any other
department Of the city. At the time of
the Eastman fire I was informed the by
drant at Fifth and Nicollet was out of Or
der and I reported it to Supt. Johnson of
! the water board. In case Of fire in any
of the buildings in the business centre
OF the city, excepting Nicollet ave-
nue., I consider, if no acct
dent occurs at the pump house,
| the facilities respecting water supply Is
| ample to hold any fire to a building; dur
| ing ali the time 1 have been CONNECTED
! with the department I have never saw a
| fire CROSS street, never seen block of
buildings destroyed, nor where a loss of
| $150,000 has occurred when there was
good supply of water, and
DEFY ANY CITY IN THE UNION
to show such record; many times the
fire has been confined to a small frame
building where this building has been To-
Gated among other dry wooden buildings.
After a short explanation by Mayor Ames
respecting the success of the fire depart
Inent the court of inquiry adjourned until
| this afternoon al O'Clock.
! Minneapolis Markets.
The receipts and shipments at and
from Minnea Dolis Yesterday were as fol