Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-23
THE AMOSKEAG BATTLE.
The Chiefs of City Departments Upon tn,
Stnnd-DetaIled and Dali Testimony Re.
RardiuR the Engines.

The Chiefs of City Departments Upon the
stnnd-DetaIled and Dali Testimony Re-
Garding the Engines.
Robert c. Elliott, Chief of the Depart
ment of Charities, was the first witness ex-
amined in the hearing yesterday in the case
of II. E. Saffor vs. Messrs. Brown, Elliott
and Bigelow, of the Department of Awards,
G. P. Hamilton, master.
Mr.. Elliott voted for the Amoskeag en-
gine, and when asked by Attorney Guthrie
if it was not fact that the advertisement
was equivalent to choice of an Amoskeag
engine said: eyes, but this did not cut out
other bidders; by some slight changes they
could have made their engines come up to
the specifications" He also said that the
Amoskeag engine was the best in the mar
ket.
Mayor McCallin testified to minor details,
but gave no important information. Mr.
E. NJ Bigelow said he voted for the engine
and that he investigated the matter to some
extent. Continuing, he said: "But relied
on Mr.. Brown. the chiet of the Department
of Public Safety. The engine was for his
department, and as we are all under heavy
bonds did not think it was my place to in
! terfere with the way he conducted his de-
partment l had no previous understand
ing with him, and as he stated in the meet
ing that the Amoskeag was the best engine,
voted for it. OF course had consulted
other people in the engine business and they
stated that the Amoskeag was the best en-
gine. However, l am not fireman nor an
engineer, and know very little about en-
gines, as it is not in my line.
Inspector MeAleese testified that Chief
Brown had consulted him about the Dur-
chase of the engines and about the advertise
ment as two engines were to be purchased.
He supposed he was asked for an opinion
on account of his being an old fireman. In
regard to the test be made no report as it
was not his business He had only handled
Amoskeag engines, and never knew the city
to use any but that make in 10 years past.
Chief Evans was placed on the stand. He
said the No. 2 engine was received in March
and No. 8 some time after. He did not
know the weight of engines, and said that
tests were made on height of stresm thrown
not on gallon capacity per hour. The test
was made with the Siamese connections with
nOzzles of ~ to II inches. The first test was
spoiled by an explosion of natural gas. aud the
second was made with.the two engines at
the same time; also singlY, with the same
sized nozzle. The test lasted long enough
to give entire satisfaction. The machinery
Of No. engine did not act rough, but very
smoothly. He gave Chief Brown certif-
cate that the engines were perfectly salts.
factory.
Assistant Superintendent John Steele
stated that the engines were weighed by the
captains of the engine companies. No. 2
weighed $500 pounds, and No. 8, $3.50
pounds. The stream thrown by No. en-
gine at the first trial measured something
over 321 feet The witness corroborated
Superintendent Evans testimony.
Inspector McAleese was recalled, and
stated that he never saw No. extra
Amoskeag working before. An adjournment
was then had for three weeks.