St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-16

4, b. Chandler, of Chicago. followed
with paper on :'The Fire-Alarm Tele-
graph-Which Is Preferable, the Cen
trail Office or the Automatic System?'
Every fire department must have tele-
graph alarm system, and it depended
largely on the location as to which was
best, the central Office or the automatic
saystem. The central office system was
the Oldest. being introduced into Boston
in 1851. while the automatic system
was of recent date, an outgrOwth of the
Old central office system. The speaker
here gave minute description of both
systems, and discussed the adv antages of
each at some length. Many cities al
lowed their telegraph system to run
down until it is no good, and then the
people complain that the firemen do
not do their duty. when they have
nothing to go by when big fire does
come.
The next paper was on ''The best,
cheapest and most durable hose for use
In the fire departments in cities and
towns" This paper was made up OF
several papers sent in by the
representatives of the various hose
manufacturing companies The first
paper was by E. A. Street, who repre-
scented rubber hose. Rubber was the
only thing for use, the paper held. and
1t was only question of time when cot
ton and leather hose would be laid away
for all time. Charles A. Landy, of Chi
cago, followed with a report OH fabric
hose. In speaking of leather hose, he
paid it high compliment for the good
it had done ''before the war;" 1t was
now thing of the past, he continued,
and the main dispute was be-
tween rubber and fabric hose. Good
rubber hose had been made, but that
was years ago, but the rubber hose that
is made now is no good at all. The
speaker gently roasted the manufacture
ers OF rubber hose, whom, he said, had
been reducing the weight of the hose
without reducing the price. Good cot
ton hose was the only thing to use, said
Mr.. Landy, as it combines all the adj
vantages of rubber hose without the dis
advantages of rubber hose. Chief en-
glneerS all over the country had found
that cotton hose was the most durable
in all respects, and had ceased to pur-
chase any other kind. Mr.. Landy's
paper was marvel of construction, and
was as nicely worded asa young girls
graduating essay. HIP. Christie, of
New York, sent in paper in which he
held that cotton was the only thing to
use. G. r. Robinson, of East Concord,
gave an account Of how it was invented
and first made. Leather hose stands
permanently at the head of everything,
as it always has, and always will. 1t is
the only thing that will stand the test.
The speaker claimed that with leather
hose there was no need of hanging it
up to dry after being used. 1t would
not decay and would not break, and
would last for years and years. This
closed the reading of the papers, and
after an informal discussion adjourned
until O'Clock this morning, when there
Will be an apparatus exhibition on the
corner of Hennepin avenue and Fifth
street.
A FEW "STIIL ALARMS"
The deluge pipe is one of the articles
on exhibition, and receives considerable
attention by the various delegates. The
deluge pipe is really large discharge
pipe or hose, and is intended for service
at large fires. 1t attaches to the patent
Siamese coupling, and takes the con-
centrated or entire pumping capacity of
one, two, three or four engines at the
same time, and delivers the water
through the deluge pipe and one nozzle
from 15s to 24 inches in diameter at
the rate of 1000 to 5000 gallons per
minute. On the deluge pipe are perma-
nent leather handles, by which the pipe
can be carried anywhere. The pipe
complete, with couplings, weighs sew
enty-fiVe pounds per section of fifty
feet.
Chief Edward Hughes, of Louisville,
KY, has badge valued at $1,000, pre-
scented to him by the citizens. 1t is of
solid gold, nearly as large as small
dinner plate, with the words, Major
(the chiefs nickname) and "Our Chief"
set in diamonds. The chief did not
bring it with him, as it is too heavy.
There will be business session this
morning, at which papers will be read.
In the afternoon the delegates will go
to Lake Minnetonka and enjoy a ride
around the lake, ending up with a
banquet at the Lake Park hotel at 6 80.
The occasion will be pheasant one.
Friday evening there will be a grand
parade of the Minneapolis fire depart
ment on Nicollet avenue from to 9
o'clock. If this parade is anything like
it was a year ago the visiting chief engi-
neers will see something that will do
them good.
When two of the delegates asked for
five minutes leave of absence yester-
day Chief Shay created no little amuse-
ment by remarking: $50 said the gov
ernor Of North Carolina to South Caro-
lima"
Delegate Irish, from the New York
state association, returned home yester-
day in order that he might be present
at the meeting of the state association,
of which he is secretary,
Friday afternoon officers will be
elected. 1t is not probable that there
will be any session Saturday, as all the
business will be finished before that
time.
The banquet at the West Friday
evening promises to be one of the most
pleasant affairs ever given at the hotel.
There will be large attendance.
William StockelI, of Nashville, Tenn,
is the oldest delegate present. He is
six feet tall and stands as straight as an
arrow.
No more sessions will be held at Har-
monia Hall, owing to the fact that it is
too hard work to get the members to go
there.
A resolution was passed last evening
calling for the calling of the roll at each
session and the marking of those absent.
Chief James Foley, of Milwaukee,
and Chief Stetson, of Minneapolis, look
enough alike to be brothers.
President Joyner's cards have on one
side picture of himself going to fire
in nice, pretty red wagon.
Chief Stetson, of Minneapolis, will in
all probability be the next president of
the association.
"Blazes" is the name of one of the
papers devoted to the interests of the
fire-fighterS.
There will be all apparatus exhibit at
the West hotel at 9 O'Clock this morn
ing.
The firemen are prompt. as rule, in
getting around to the conventions.