Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-27
TO SETTLE A QUESTION.

Chief Brown Will Welcome n Competitive
Trial Of Fire Engines = He Makes n
Formal Statement.
Chief Brown, of the Department of Pub
lie Safety, like the majority of the other
city officials, is becoming somewhat wearied
with the incessant squabbles which have re-
suited from the rivalry between fire engine
manufacturers. He said yesterday that he
would make a practical finish to the dis
cussion by public proof, and sent the fol-
lowing communication to Major w. G. Nc
Candless, President of the Board of Under
writers:
PITTsBURe, December Is. 1889.
W. G. McCandless, ESQ.,, President Of Fire Un-
derwriters, Association:
DEAR SIR am exceedingly anxious to have
the Bureau of Fire of the city Of Pitrsburg
equipped and supplied with the very best ap-
paratUs of every kind and character. And. as
you are aware. there is a great difference Of
opinion as to which make and manufacture of
fire engines is the best for fire service, and
would be the best for the city of Pittsburg. As
this is a question OF great moment to the city,
and especially to your Fire Underwriters Asso-
mittee be appointed, say one man to be selected
by the Fire Underwriters Association, one by
this department TO represent the city OF Pitts
featuring Company, or any Other company that
may desire to enter into competitive contest
with a view to accurately ascertaining the
merits and dement's of the engines that may
enter into said competitive contest
An early response co this communication
will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Chief Department of Public Safety.
In speaking of this letter, Mr.. Brown
''This is the first official communication
that mas passed between the Board of Under
writer's and myself concerning this matter,
but as they have been giving it some con-
sideration and have been quoted as having
expressed desire for better fire equipments
than we have in the city now, I hope they
will take advantage of this opportunity to
prove which make of fire engines is superior
in a public contest. 1t will properly be in
the hands of the Underwriters Association
to arrange for and conduct the contest, for
it Is not only their expressed desire to have
the test which caused this offer of mine to be
made, but they are especially interested,
and it is best that they should conduct it,
then there will be no opportunity to charge
the friends of the Amoskeag engines with
putting up any kind of job. desire that
there shall be fair, square test, and the
test to determine the superior engine. If the
Silsby or any other manufacture of machine
is proven to be the best, 1 will assure you
there will be no more Amoskeag engines
purchased for Pittsburg."
Regarding the selection of the city's rep
resentative on the Committee of Judges Mr..
Brown said he would select man who
would be acceptable to the other gentlemen
on the committee. He believed that the
committee should be composed of men well
versed in hydrostatics and other lines of ma
chinery. The city's representative should
be q man who was not affiliated in any man
ner either with the city government or any
of the engine companies, and as far as he
was concerned Mr.. Brown said he would be
willing to select a man from outside the
city. 1--WE are anxious to have the very
best obtainable," said Mr.. Brown, land if
the engines now in use are not the best
want 10 know it."