Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-24
IUD-CHOKED FIRE PLUGS.
FIRE COMMISSIONER WE'LL has SOME
THING TO SAY ABOUT THEM.
date Control of the Fire
Department.

Mud-stutfed ire plugs have on numer-
Gus occasions not only hampered the fire
department in its work, but have cost
property owners more than would have
paid man to go about and blow out every
plug in the city several times each week.
Members of the fire department agree
that had not just such an exasperating
cific Market fire, much of the stock and
fixtures could have been saved. As it
was, however, nothing could be drawn
from couple of the plugs for ten minutes
but thick, heavy mud, which choked the
engines and hose. One plug in particular
was in a shameful condition. Anybody
who has seen good lively fire, or who
knows anything about fires at all, knows
what amount of damage can be done, and
what Roadway the fire can get under in ten
known to be reduced to cinders in that
time.
And the Pacific Market fire is only one of
many similar instances that have occurred
within comparatively short time.
Mud-choked plugs has been the subject
of much conversation on the streets and
elsewhere of late, and the present state of
affairs has been universally condemned.
The unanimous opinion is that the plugs
cannot be too well taken care of nor blown
out too often.
FIRE COMMISSIONER WELL TALKS.
A RECORD UNION reporter had a talk
with John We'll, Chairman of the Board
of Fire Commissioners, last evening, and
found that gentleman particularly agitated
over the condition of the plugs.
ut is simply shameful" said he, "and
should not be tolerated. But what can the
fire department do about it? 1t had no
jurisdiction over the plugs. Still, l have
heard people blaming the tiremen, because
they were compelled to stand about like so
many statues last week. unable to get a
stream on the fire. Now, everybody will
admit that Sacramento has an efficient de-
partment-an unusually efficient one. The
hremen have been complimented by the
press and public for their heroic work.
Look at the magnificent work they did at
the Sullivan-Kelly Company fire. They
had no mud-stuffed plugs to deal with
there. Their engines and hose are all good,
and kept good, but of what use are they
when no water is to be had? and all be-
cause of the mud that has collected in the
plugs.
Now" continued Mr.. We'll, warming
up to the subject, there is but one solu-
ton to this difficulty-only one-and you
and everybody else will agree with me.
These fire plugs were established for fire
purposes only. Nobody but the fire de-
partmept has right to use them-it is a
violation OF the ordinance for anybody else
to use them. It's just the same with the
oin hnnE-ond lalIa, nd l,
are bought and kept for fire purposes only
Now, why are aot the plugs under the i'm.
mediate control of the fire department, as
are engines, etc.? That's
WHERE THE SYSTEM is WRONG,
tell you and that is where it has to
be corrected. With the plugs in the hands
OF the department.. instead of the City
Trustees, the entire fire business would
then be controlled by it, and the property
owners would know just where to point
should there be any blame, Just as they
would now if rotten hose, broken down
engines or rickety ladders should be taken
to fire. There would be no more of this
showing of blame from one institution to
another. Then it would be to the depart
ments interest and its duty to see that
every plug in the city is in condition to be
used.
My plan would be-should the control
of the plugs be turned over to the fire de-
partment, where they properly belong-to
increase the salary of the electrician to that
extent that he could devote his whole time
to the alarm system and the plugs. He
could make the rounds of the boxes, test
them and see that they are in constant
good condition, and at the same time blow
out every ire-plug on the route. In this
way two notably defective systems could
be Strengthened out, and the gain to the
property-owners, through quick and accu-
rate work of the department, would pay
this increased salary hundred times over.
1t would be the duty of this officer to keep
constantly on the alarm and plug circuit,
and in that way they wouldn't have time
to get out of order"
Several prominent citizens who were
present and heard Mr.. Wells remarks
heartily approved of his idea, and declared
that they would lend their assistance in
bringing about the change suggested.