Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-14
SHY ALLEGHENIANS.
Allegheny officials Said to be Timid
About the Engine Test.
THE TRIAL Has BEEN POSTPONED,
High Water on the Exposition Grounds
Said to be the Cause.
CHIEF BROWN READY In TEN MINUTES

The long-talked-of test of fire engines has
been deferred indefinitely, and the test now
will be rather of the public patience than
the engines. The resignation OF w. j.
Lewis as one of the judges has somewhat
delayed matters, much to the disgust OF
Chief Brown, of the Department of Public
Safety. He spent all Yesterday afternoon
in consultation with Superintendent Arm
strong, of the Allegheny Water Works, and
Mr.. Vanderveldt, of Cleveland. the two re-
naming judges. The resignation of Mr..
Lewis is the strongest barrier 60 the test
taking place upon the date specified, and
the postponement was inevitable.
Chief Brown is usually thought to be
cool and collected, but yesterday he felt hot
under the collar, He said: 81 cannot
blame Mr.. Lewis for Withdrawing from the
Board of Judges. A gentleman of his age
and resources would probably make very
great sacrifice in sitting for nine hours upon
hard seat and fire engine test. 1 must,
however, say that I dislike the idea OF
postponement.
WET GROUNDS NO DRAWBACK.
"The statement that the ground where
the test is to be made is under water, al
though fact, is a fact that should be met
by fremen. l would have the engines
mounted upon pontoons, if necessary, and
get their water the best way they could and
let the best machine win. 1 would rather
relish the idea of having the test made
under difficulties, as that is the
usual style of affairs at a
fire, and the more difficulties to
contend with the more effectual think will
be the test. I am ready to turn my men out
tomorrow, if necessary. to make the trial,
and in fact am not sure, if it were not for
the qualification of public curiosity on the
subject, that it would not be better to have
the date unknown and the time of starting
announced short time before the test took
place, so that there could be no preparations
on either side. As soon as the third judge
is appointed am ready, and the sooner the
better, as delays are liable to arouse sus-
picion."
AN ADDITIONAL STATEMENT.
Chief Brown made an additional state
ment in Central station last night. He
said: II wish the whole thing was termin-
ated, and would be very willing to con-
cede any terms on behalf of ouriengine. The
engine which will make the test is the same
one in service at No. Engine House, and
I am satisfied to float it out on the race
track, as said before, to give it muddy or
sandy water to feed the suction hose, or to
lengthen, but not shorten, the hours OF serv-
ice. There is no reason that can see for de-
ferring the trial, as fire engine is supposed
to be on duty al the time and prepared
to meet the most adverse circumstances. Of
course, the third judge should be appointed,
but am satisfied that the choice will be a
good one, and relying upon the judgment
OF the Board OF Underwriters, l hold myJ
men in readiness to answer the test call iuN
as should expect them to answer a fire
call. There is no advantage to be gai1ed,
and all want to know is which is thu en-
CINE best calculated to defend the p1perty
Of the citizens from inroads of ire."r
IS ALLEGHENY AFRAIDG
There is an undercurrento of feefing among
the judges that the Allegheny officials are
little timid now about going Tito the test.
What grounds they have Tor this suspicion
could not be learned, although they think
this is the case. Chief Jones, Of the Alle-
gheny Department, was seen last night. |
and when asked why the test was postponed
said:
"The only cause of the }postponement was
too much water on the grounds, There is
no other place in the tW6 cities that has as
many advantages as the site chosen. In
order to give the pubic an opportunity Of
witnessing the test iywould be necessary to
have 1t at the Exposition. Superintendent
Armstrong wanted the trial to come off
IN Saturday, btt this was considered
impossible, on account of the absence of
Mr.. Vanderveldt, who has to 60 away and will |
not be back before that day. In order to |
'how that we aye willing, we will go ahead
with the work ST getting things IN shape for |
he test. Wswill have to dig holes eight |
,r ten feet In the ground in order to put in |
he tanks foF the engines. The ground is in |
Iuch shapel now on account of the high |
water that the test could not come off at the |
appointed time. We will have all the |
made and will be ready before
he new date agreed upon"
VIII AT MAJOR M'oANDLEss SAYS.
Major W. G. McCandless, President of |
he Board of Underwriters, was seen and |
Isked who would be appointed in the place |
# MIR. Lewis, who resigned from the Board |
# Judges. He said: 81 have at last found |
man who think will accept the place |
ind lbe impartial in the matter. He is a
eittSburger, but at present cannot give
lis name. The test has not been declared
IF by any means, but will take place. The
,ronnds are in such bad condition now
hat nothing could be done, and it
yas necessary to postpone it. II
understand there will be a meeting
4 the judges tomorrow afternoon, when
bother date will be agreed upon. 1 do not
nov of any inclination on the part of the
officials to back out of the test.
IA point that should be impressed upon
he minds of the people is that this is not a
contest Of rivalry between Pittsburg and
Allegheny. All we want to get at is which
4 the two engines is the best make. If the
Silsby is better engine than the Amoskeap,
hen we want. to know it and should have
ngines of that pattern in Pittsburg. It
hould not make any difference which CITY
Tins as that is not the noint we are striuinn