The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-18
AFRAID OF FIRE.
Citizens Meet to Raise More
Money for Protection.
Committee Appointed to Investigate the
Question ard Try TO Get One Hundred
Thousand Dollars.

There was a we'll attended meeting of mer-
chants, manufacturers and citizens at the Cham
Der OF Commerce yesterday afternoon for the
purpose of taking steps for the better protection
| OF San Francisco against the perils OF fire.
| The meeting was called to order by ex-GoV-
ernor Perkins, who stated that its object was to
| devise means to aid the Fire Department to
| properly protect the city from disastrous fires.
| President Barry Baldwin OF the Produce Ex-
| change was elected Chairman of the meeting,
| and T. J. Hayes Secretary. Among those pres
| ent were:
| que Captain c. L. Taylor Greer Harrison, c. Is.
Stone, j. +. Kennedy, b. p. Flint Chief Scannell,
j. d. Staples, Mayor Pond, g. Il. Story and A p.
| Van DuZer.
Chief Scannell was called upon to state what
was needed. He said that San Francisco is far
behind every other great city in the Union in ap-
planes TO put out nres regularly paid force
of firemen, more steam ire-engiues, more hose
and at least 500 more hydrants were needed.
With two fires the department would be almost
helpless. Parts OF the city which pay taxes have
no 1re protection at all. There are no towns
near he said which could supply this city Win
fire-engnes II big fire shoud break out.
Captain w. l.. Merry introduced resolutions
urging tie municipal authorities TO take immedt-
ate steps for better protection, but Mayor Pond
| said that the Supervisors by law restrained
| from doing any more than they have already
| done.
G. b. Stone SAID that there had been too much
| talking on this question and too little real work
| He thought that the business men of the town
! ought 10 roll up their sleeves and 60 TO work.
He said there would be trouble in guarantee
| Ing $780, 1000 for more engines ana better hose.
| Z. T. Story explained at length the frightful
| havoc wrought by flames at Chicago, Boston and
elsewhere He did not appear as an underwater
| but as a citizen. He knew OF big fires which
| ought TO have been prevented III this city by the
| prompt appliance Of improved facilities
| Captain Merry's resolutions were not seconded.
Fire Commissioned Maurice Schmidt said that
there were large aud valuable paris OF me city
wholly without protection especially IN the res
ldeHce portions of The city.
Attorney A. 7. Van DuZer believed that
| S24u,0O0 year was pretty good sum TO eX-
| pend Tor fires and that was the amount of sal
| aries paid by our Fire Department this year.
| Where has all this hose gomez" he asked.
| Chief Scannel said that the life Of the best
| hose Is but three years. aud 5000 feet had been
| destroyed in fire alone,
Denis keaIney agreed with Mr.. Van DuZen.
Supervisor Barry was for doing something to
| protect the city. He believed Chief ScannelPS
| opinion was worth great DEAL for lie had been
| here for forty years, and ought 10 know what lie
| was talking about.
The following resolutions, introduced by A.
| r. Briggs were adopted, after which the meet
| Ing adjourned:
WHEREAS, 1t appears that the Fire Department
of the city is tnsuncienty equipped cope with
large fire and that there is pressing need Tor more
MIGRANTS, more engines and better hose; and
whereas, 1t is deemed necessary to insure the city
against general confaSration that the department
should be changed from Its present status to fuil
paid department, is had in other large cites and
whereas 1t appears that 900 should be placed
at the disposal OF the department ut once; be It
ReSotued That the Chamber o: Commerce, Produce
Exchange, Manufacturers Association Board of
Trade be requested to appoint committee of ten
We.i-knOwn citizens from the respective bodies,
who shall Jointly act as committee for the purpose
OF soliciting guaranty which Shall aggregate a
sum not exceeding 100000, which sum shall be
placed at the disposal OF the department, to be
pended by the department, acting with committee
OF nYe citizens, TO be composed or one member from
each of the commercial bodies mentioned.