Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-05

Brass City, No 6, s
 There were ten bell alarms between the hours of a. m. and p. m.; duty performed in eight instances. Nine bell alarms between hours p. m: and a. m.: and duty was performed in four instances, Of the still alarms duty was performed in three instances, between the hours of a. m. and 6 P. m.
 HOSE.
 There are at present 1900 feet of ser viceable hose in the department of differ G. 100 feet A fax jacket, 600 feet; Maltese cross rubber, 600 feet. The rubber hose should be replaced by new hose during the year, r,as it is fast becoming unreliable, it having seen eleven years of service Is good testimony as to its lasting qualities,
 HOUSES.
 The houses of the depart ment are in good condition. Those of No 3. the Hook & Ladder company, No and No have been painted since the last report. The house of No 1 company remains the same uninviting building 1 hope that your honorable body will take the proper steps toward securing better quarters for this company before another year passes.
 HORSES.
 The horses belonging to the depart ment six i'll number, are in good con ditiOn and are becoming used to the du- ties required of them ill q satisfactory manner. We should have at least two more horse hose wagons in the service of the department the saving of time and having men in condition to do effective work when they arrive at fire is a most essential feature Much valuable property is often saved by promptness l nd l,n oli1ity tn -bot ,.on,1ira1 when a department or company begin work at a fire.
 FIRE MARSHAL.
 The report of the duties performed by the fire marshal submit for your con- sideration. During the year there have been 26 alarms given for fires that have been more or less disastrous and from the following causes: Foul chimneys G., heating apparatus ,, children playing with fire 4: fireworks 3, sparks from fur mace 1, sparks from cupola l. gas leak 1, thawing ice ill water pipes l, combus= tion 1, unknown 1. kerosene lamp eX- plosion ?.
 The losses from the above causes amounted to S2. .110,25, decrease from the loss of 1887 of &, ,652,97.
 The loss during the year over the in- surance paid was S4S7. During the year | there nave oeeu IL Du!lu!HS PeTullS issued for buildings within the fire limits. IS being for brick buildings or brick additions and for moving build | ing on owners land.
 The estimated cost of brick buildings and additions was S143, 400. an increase over the year 1887 of $23, 800.
 1 have tested different grades of ker- osene oil and have found it to stand the test of no degrees as required by the ordinance regulating the sale of the same.
 l FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
 The report of the superintendent of the fire alarm telegraph I also submit for your consideration. During the year there have been 19 alarms sent in from the signal boxes, and in every instance a correct alarm has been given on the various instruments connected with the system. The system at present consists of 27 automatic signal boxes, two tower bells, two mechanical bell striking machines, one two circuit repeater, three galvanometers, two lightning arresters seven indicators, one 2O-inch, one 6-incl and three s5-lnch electrO-mechanica gongs, so cells of gravity battery and about fourteen miles of wire. One new signal box (No 2D has been placed in service since my last report.
 RECOMMENDATIONS.
 l respectfully recommend your honor able body that building laws be enacted that will specify the thickness of outside walls of buildings according to theil height; that laws be made that will give the city fire alarm wires the right to the upper cross arm of every telegraph pole set within the city limits; very stringent law be made and put in force regulating the storage and sale of dynamite in the city; it would be well if the sale or stor } age of the article was prohibited within the city limits.
 } The perilous position in which the firemen were placed September 17tl should remind you that there is very l neglectful and careless handling of it il ] our very midst every day. The dat, mentioned was the fire in what is knowl as Steele's tenement block on South Mail street. In the room next to where tn, fire originated and was confined to ther, ! were stored 36 packages of the articl, with the exploding caps. Fortunatel, there was no accident, but there was chance for great destruction of lifes an, : property.