The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-03

which might be required by law to be firmly
! secured at suitable distances, in the pave
ment near the curostones along the sidewalks
| of all large buildings, as we'll as on the oppo-
site side. Their additional use will be point
ed out in the next suggestion, which is my
| last for the present
g. 1t consists of a chute, extending from
the upper stories to the opposite side of the
street, in a catenary curve, there to be made
| fast to the curbstone rings described in No.
D. The material and the means of getting
| the chute to the upper stories might be as
| follows: AT first had thought Of wire, but
its inflexibility rendering it difficult for the
| firemen to roll up 125 feet, or thereby as
we'll as its weight in raising it to the win
| dows, seems to point to strong canvas on wire
| ropes ending in rings as being better ma
terial. The canvas would have to be, in its
| upper part especially, either rendered fire
| proof by sufficient asbestos cloth, or by
| truly fre-proof paint Its width, in order to
| form trough-shaped chute would have to
| be about five or six feet, drawn together at
the upper sides of the chute by small wire
ropes, each two feet and half long, at every
| two feet from top TO bottom. like the rungs
of a ladder Almost any one once safely
| placed in the trough or chute, could descend
gradually by holding on to these rungs;
but for greater safety some mattresses, beds
etc., might be inserted at the bottom of the
| trough. A modification OF this, if
thought better, might consist in hay
ing shorter canvas or hammock, hung from
two parallel wire ropes and suspended by
as many rings as necessary running along
the two parallel ropes, which may be hung
in hooks two feet apart required by law, if
necessary, to be inserted in the upper part of
the windows in all high stories. This ham
mock working nearly on the principle ap-
| piled in South America to crossing rapid riv-
| ers) would then be let down gradually by
some one holding and paying out rope from
the window. In case no man was already
there, this might involve the time necessary
for fireman to ascend by a knotted rope.
To get the rope, and subsequently, the chute
or ropes with hammock, it would be neces-
sary to let down a Irvine, with which each
room ought to be supplied; but If not ball
could be thrown or shot up, as in sending
line to ships in distress The Irvine would
hoist the rope, and the rope be then attached
to the chute, which, probably weighing less
than 100 pounds, could be raised by one per-
son, especially as the firemen could aid by
their hooks in relieving part Of the weight.
Where many telegraph wires interviewed, the
chute for high windows would go over and
outside; for lower, might have to pass under.
MODE OF TESTING AND PRACTICTNG THE ABOVE.
AS we hive agricultural colleges in which
mechanics and engineering are taught, it
would seem appropriate that they should
devote some funds to testing the practicable
-ity of these and similar plans for so useful
an end or corporations might furnish fire
men the necessary means for practical tests.
Great part of the success, however, of any
and all of these plans designed to be life
saving must depend upon the GOODNESS of the
individual. If our colleges all had gymnasia
attached, as they should have, in which to
cultivate the physical powers as well as in the
classroom they develop the mental and
moral, there might be a suitable room and
lady teachers provided who should practice
young girls in ascending and descending lad
ders and ropes, in getting from a window
safely into basket with tackle, etc, as de-
scribed in No. l, etc. Furthermore, swim
ming-room should, whenever practicable, af-
ford facility for ladies to learn how TO ad-
just the cork jackets furnished in steam
boats in such manner as to float securely,
instead of being drowned, as is often the
case, by the the cork floating the lower part
of the body while the heavier head sinks.
This kind of gymnastic practice would
seem more useful than resorting to such
means of strengthening the muscles as fenc-
ing with fois and swords, said to have been
recently introduced in some of our Eastern
cities. If the above seems to SAVIOR too much
of pedagogism. think my twenty-five years
of collegiate labors must plead my excuse.
RICHARD OWEN.
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