Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-20
FrRE CoMMIssToNERs.
The Fire Alarm Telegraph-Report of the
Chief Engineer-A Supply House to De
Erected,


Chief Engineer-A Supply House to De
Erected.
The board of fire commissioners met in
Chief Strong's Office yesterday afternoon,
Commissioner Breuer in the chair, all the
members being in attendance. Commits
sioner Hughson was present for the first
time in great while, having recovered
from his illness. The usual monthly re-
ports of the foremen of the engine houses
were read and placed on file.
The report of the superintendent of fire
alarms was read, calling attention to the
recent changes of the boxes, and to the
completion of the remaining lines. The
report also called attention to the compile
ton of the testing taps, and list was
given of the boxes pulled during the
month.
ENGINEERS REPORT.
The chief engineer submitted his report
for 1882. The report is voluminous and
interesting. Following is synopsis Of
the salient points:
Total expenditures for thirteen and one
half months, $71 ,411.74 total value of prop
erty real and personal in charge of the
board, $102, 949.34; number of new houses
erected, two; new apparatus purchased,
one La France engine, one Hayes hook
and ladder truck and 1000 feet of hose.
Quantity of hose in the department: good,
$3.50 feet; fair, LOO feet; unreliable,
1850 feet; total, $500 feet.Y
Number of fires from November, 1881,
to Jan. 1, 1882, fifteen; total losses, $43,-
1882; insurance paid, 1874, 1922; unpaid
or loss over insurance, $9,297 Nine
tenths of the above loss was confined to
the planning mill and round house fires
During 1882 there were 155 alarms, of
which III were fires, % chimneys and Is
alse, an increase of 55 over 1881.
The total loss was $123, 774.21; insurance
paid, $1O4,893.68; loss over insurance,
| 1927 ,68O.53. From the above should be de-
Quoted $35,085, as the fires were out of the
water district. During the year the appa
ratus travelled l ,435 miles in response to
alarms, worked at fires 800 hours, 1884, 25
| feet of hose has been laid and 123, 605 bar
rels of water delivered.
There are now twenty -four miles of was
ter main and 1913 hydrants, or an increase
of five miles of main and ten hydrants.
There are now sixteen cisterns in use by
the department. The apparatus consists
of five steamers, five hose carts and hook
and ladder truck, and the force consists of
sixty-nine men, including the chief and
officers. In conclusion the chief recon-
mended that all members of the
department be put on full pay;
the purchase of one steamer each for the
Fifth and Sixth wards and one hose cart
for each steamer. Also the construction
of centrally located cistern, and also for
one near Garfield street in the Sixth
ward.
The report was accompanied by semi
annual report from the superintendent of
the fire alarm. The report was thorough
and alluded to the expenses of the de-
partment.
The total expenses for six months were
| $3,486.77. Total number of alarms, 80;
fines, 81; chimneys, IA; false, 8. There
are now over thirty miles of wire; thirty
five alarm boxes; twelve gongs, one circuit
repeater, one switch board, 1873 cell, bat
terry, one alarm whistle and one talking
line, the value of which is $14, O74.75. The
purchase of light horse and wagon and
other necessaries were recommended.
The report was accepted and returned
were examined and allowed.
SUPPLY HOUSE.
Before adjournment Aids. Otis and
Starkey, from the committe On public
buildings of the council, conferred with the
board concerning the arrangements for
the building of supply house on Sixth
street, between Cedar and Minnesota streets.
The supply house is intended for the
Hayes truck, the chemical engines, coal
wagons, horses etc. 1t was the general
impression that good, substantial build
ing be erected. The question of putting
, an alley through the rear of the lot was
discussed and Commissioner Hughson
thought if the alley could not be put
through the lot might be traded or
sold for more eligible location.
The proposed building was discussed at
length by Commissioners Breuer, Fender
grast, Hughson, Chief Strong and Aid.
Otis and Starkey, the impression favoring
the construction of a building that will
answer future requirements for twenty
years. The proposed dimensions of the
building is 50x125 feet, three stories with
basement, and hall and bed rooms up
stairs.
1t was decided to lay the matter over un.
til arrangements could be made about
putting an alley through.
Chief Strong recommended several ap-
pointments and after routine matters had
been disposed of the meeting adjourned.