St. Paul daily globe., 1888-02-19
IN THE CITY'S HEART.
Arteries and Veins Through
Which the Water Supplye
Is Drawn.
Discussions Raised by Recent
Fires in st. Paul'S Whole
sale District.
A Showing of the Water
Mains in the Down Town
Streets.
Comparison Of the Various
Sizes Of Pipe Here and in
Other Cities.

The two big fires that occurred re-
Gently on lower Third street have given
rise to great deal of comment, and
Notwithstanding that the usual letters
commendatOry of the fire department
have been forthcoming in both cases,
nevertheless, the buildings burned
down, and there are many people who
are not satisfied with the results. In
explanation of the disastrous outcome of
these fires the fire department, through
its chief, lays the blame at the door of
the water board, claiming that the pres
ent water mains are inadequate for fire
use in the wholesale business district.
On the other hand, the water board con-
tends as positively that the mains are
large enough for the fire apparatus now
i'll use. The officials of the water de-
partment say further that the depart
ment is unfamiliar with the location
and size of the water mains, and there
fore are unable to place their engines so
as to work to the greatest advantage.
AS an illustration of this last statement,
the board claims, in the FoOte, SchulZe
Il Co.'S fire, that two additional engines
could have been placed on the large
RoSabel street main. For instance,
Steamer No. 5, which was stationed the
morning of the fire at the corner Of
Fifth and Wacouta streets, and con-
nected with small SiX-inch main,
could have been placed at Fourth and
ROSabel streets close to the large Broad
way mann and twenty-SiX feet nearer
the scene of the fire. Steamer No. 8,
stationed at the corner of Fourth and
Slbley streets, and connecting with a
six-inch main, could have been placed
on Broadway, east of Third, in
DIRECT CONNECTION
with the large SiXteen-inch main and
twenty-five feet nearer the scene of the
fire. Steamer No. 6, stationed on the
corner of Third and Jackson streets,
and drawing from siX-inch main, could
have been placed on Broadway, corner
of Fourth. equally distant from the
scene Of the fire. but connecting with
the large SiXteen-inch main.
Even with the disposition of the en-
gines as on the morning of the Foot.
SchulZe IL Co.'s fire, the water board
claim, there could have been no short
age of water and they stand ready to
prove this by reliable data in their pos
session. The board agrees with Chief
Black that the water pressure dimin-
ishes as the distance of the engine from
the fire is increased, but insist, that the
distances being the same, the effective
ness is greatly increased by placing the
engines at the larger mains. The water
officials say that any of the SiX-inch
mains can supply 1000 gallons of water
per minute, While the engines, accord
ing to Chief Blacks statement will only
average about $50 gallons per minute.
The GLOBE, in this article, is say
ing nothing as to the merits of either
side of the question involved. The fire
department of St. Paul has the reputa-
ton OF knowing its business pretty we'll.
The chamber of commerce has been agi-
tating the question of water supply for
the wholesale district. Whether or not
it needs more than can be had on call,
at present, might involve some expert
testimony. But the lay of the land. and
the mains whice supply the water, are
herewith given, and those interested
may. study it and draw their own con-
clusiOnS: