Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29
ENGINES
An Old Fire Foreman Suggests a r.
hour Trial Of Endurance.
WHICH CAN STAND WORK LOEGERi
The Machine Which Can Suck Sand o.
Suck Water Succeeds.
CHIEE BROWNIs OUT ROR THE VINEs1

As Chief Brown, Of the Department Of
Public Safety, has given the opportunity
for all engines to contest for supremacy in
the handling of fires, The DISPATCH
made inquiries as to the proper manner to
make such test. Some eight old fremen
were heard on the subject, but foreman
who has held the position for over i've
years, suggested the method in which the
test should be made. He said:
ST do not wish to appeafin in debating what
course should be adopted in testing the diff
ferent engines, but I would like to see the
best engine for the city adopted, as the chiet
of the Department Of Public Safety said.
There are several ways Of testing engines, one
of which will last about 10 minutes, and show
horizontal stream Of from 125 to 200 feet.
Another is the vertical stream which will
be thrown over brick building or a church
spire, as the test might be demanded.
"But there are other things to test beyond
the length or height Of q stream, which may
be regarded as the crucial tests Of an engine.
Not being connected with the Fire Depart
ment at present, should like to see the
best engine win, just as I should have liked
to have the handling Of the best engine when
was with the Fire Department.
ENDURANCE TO BE TESTED.
The question Of endurance has got to be
solved think then that 72-hour contin-
nous work for esch engine would be about
the best test possible with the suction-pipes
laid in the river. This is not to ascertain
which engine can get up sPurt
of steam, as would place the
steam gauge at about 80 pounds for each en-
CINE, and let the engineer regulate the
water pressure to suit himself. There would
be no trouble as far as the supply is con-
cerned, and there could be no complaints as
to giving the losing engine the wrong plug.
No one can take exception to this method Of
making the test, as it is immaterial which
river the water is taken from. You have
said that Engineer Dan Eccles, OF En-
CINE Company No. 2, thought his engine
could pump sand. In pulling out Monon-
gahela river water think be would have to
do so to some extent, and j would like to
see the test made.
ST shall admit that rotary engine is
good one, and Iwould be glad to see the
difference exempli6ed between one and the
other, but, IS. I said in the first place, want
NO DISPLAY BUSINESS
for a half hour or 50, and the question Of
what engine will last longest, putting It in
the superlatiYe degree. and thus including
more than two engines, is one that should
like to see decided. When the test is made
il will be one Of the most interesting that
has ever occurred in Pitsburg."
"Chief Brown last night said: ST have
not had any experience, as told you be-
fore, practically, in the handling OF engines,
before took charge Of the department, but
still takes the position that such test
should be made, and the results made as
public as possible. court publicity in this
matter, nothing else, and hope when the
competition comes of, that the citizens Of
Pittsburg, who have heavy interests at
stake, will be represented, if not present, to
see what care Is taken of the property of
the city. I make, perhaps, mistakes, as any
man might, but the policy that pursue is
as far as my ability can carry me in the in
terest of the city and in pursuance Of my
duty"