Morning journal and courier., 1889-04-03
THE .enArp ROUNDS.

The Board of Fire Comnaissfoners Make . Nocturnal Visit to the Houses of Steamer l, 2, g, and Truck 1.-The Time is COnsidered Good for She Various Tests-Csnfu- sion at the House of Steamer Caused by New Horses.
 After the adjournment of the board of fire few friends who had been previously invited proceeded to Prokasky's cafe on Center street and enjoyed an excellent supper, the board having decided to make their annual "Grand Rounds" Among the party were Mayor Peck, Fire Commissioners Farnam (president of the board1, Mullen, Stannard, Redmond, Blakeslee and Cullom, Chief Hendrick, AL derman Gessner, Major Fl. Fl. Strong, Theo- dore R. Blakeslee (brother of Commissioner Blakeslee) Superintendent of Fire Alarm Smith and Charles H. Farnam, son of Com
 Shortly before 12 o'clock carriages were taken by the entire party and they were first driven to the house of steamer on Howard avenue.
 The carriages were stopped short distance from the house and the party stole quietly up to the door on tip-toe, where they were admitted in noiseless manner (so as not to awaken the sleeping fremen) by Superin- tendent Smith, who was provided with a pass key to all the engine houses. After the party had been placed iR positions where 6 favorable view could be obtained, Superin- tendent Smith pressed an electric button and box 24 was rung out, the doors flew open, the gas turned up, and the men slid down the highly polished poles and each man took his place and was ready to go in twenty-nine seconds. At this house Engineer Tooker was found on watch. The horses were again A~ 4hoS~ &a1l what is known as the ''foor hitch" was gone through with, the company being ready to go in fifteen seconds. The time is taken from the time the gong is struck until the horses are hitohed to the spparatus ready to go. The mayor and the commissioners in spected the house and the party were then driven to the house of steamer on Park street, where Driver George Goebel was found on watch and were admitted the same as before, the men tumbled out of their hunks and were ready to go in 2S seconds, when box was struck. On the floor hitch they were nine seconds.
 Steamer As house on St. John street was then visited end Engineer Elisha Reed being the man on watch. The time at this house was thirty seconds and would have been probably five seconds better but for some part of the harness on one of the horses be- coming disarranged. At this house box fl was rung out and the time of the floor hitch was eight seconds.
 The party were then driven rapidly up St. John street and to the house of steamer ? and struck 1 on Artizan street where engine Driver Charles B. Martin was found on watch. Box 214 was struck on the big gong and the men were promptly on the floor but at this house 8 new pair of sorrel horses had been added to the engine about two weeks ago and are hardly as yet broken in, and when the alarm was sounded came out in good order, but seeing so many faces became confused, and one of them ran back into his stall and mixed up the hose horse so that considerable confusion ensued. No time was taken as it was not considered fair test for the reasons stated. On the floor hitch they came out much bet ter, only consuming thirteen seconds.
 The party were greatly amused by the spectacle of so many men sliding down the poles in their scanty night apparel, and the test was pronounced highly satisfactory by the board. The best night hitch was made by steamer No.s and steamer No. the best floor hitch. Com missioners Mullen and Cullom timed the men with stop-watches. Mayor Peck expressed himself as highly pleased with the test. When it is taken into consideration that the men are all in bed except those men on watch, and have to dress, slide down the pole, hitch, and mount the apparatus, the time is very good indeed. Only the houses of l, 2, 3, 4, were visited, they being the most central and hav- ing full compliment of permanent men. The party separated at the house of steamer 2, 1t being then nearly 1:50 o'clock.
 Last year steamer also made the best time on the grand rounds.