Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-06-12
THE ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM

At the meeting of the bailiffs and fire
department engineers, held Monday even
ing, reports were made and a full discus
sion took place on the proposed electric
fire alarm system. Chief Engineer Turner
and w. DOrr Perry stated their belief in
the excellence and perfection of the Game
well system. The Stevens and American
concerns did not send exhibition sets of
their apparatus, as they were invited to do,
and as was expected. The special com
mittee previously appointed, f. A. Hub
bard, Ferris Vaughan, G., l.. Clary and II.
NJ. Whittier, had not, therefore, been able
to make comparative examination of the
working of the Gamewell and other two
systems, but each member of this commit
tee stated his belief that the Gamewell
system was as satisfactory and perfect in
its operation as any system could be
imagined to be. The American concern.
which makes only an automatic alarm,
wrote that they had no exhibition appa-
ratus. A long letter from Mr. Stevens was
received in which he stated in substance
that he could not send exhibition apparatus
here without coming with it himself, that
he was so busy that he had not time TO do
this, and giving other reasons and excuses
for not entering into competition, but
claiming at the same time that his system
was the best and cheapest in use. Each
of the engineers, on being Intercepted.
expressed his belief in the need of fire
alarm system for the village. and his salts
faction with the operation of the Game
well system. The bailffs also expressed
themselves to the same effect 1T was evil
dent that an unfavorable impression had
been produced by the failure of Mr. Ste
vens to enter his apparatus in a COMPETE
tive exhibition, the logic of the situation
being that in such an exhibition the best
apparatus would carry the day, other
things being equal The decision reached
at the meeting was to report favorably on
the adoption of an electric fire alarm, with
the preference given to the Gamewell sys-
TEN, at the special village meeting to be
held on the evening of June Path.
a full set of the Gamewell apparatus is
now open for general inspection at the
steamer engine house on Elliot street.
This includes the alarm boxes, indicator,
gong, bell-striker, and whistle-blower. The
operation of all the machinery is easy to
be understood, and favorable impression
has been produced on all who have exam
ined ii. On Tuesday morning Mr.. Decrow
of the Gamewell concern and Chief En-
gineer Turner took a look about town with
regard to the location of the boxes Mr.
Turner is very positive in holding that 10
boxes is the least that should be put in
The locations which he names for these
are on the steamer engine house, on the
town hall, on North Main street near the
common, at the asylum, Oak street near
C. f. r. Jenne's, High street near n. II.
Whites, Western avenue between Cedar
and Spruce streets, Green street near s. S.
Hunts, Elliot street near j. NJ. joys, cor
ner of Frost and Elm streets, at the Estey
shops, near the Esteyville schoolhouse.
Canal street near w. II. Alexander's and
near w. II. Fletcher's, Prospect hill at the
corner of Prospect and Central streets, at
No. engine house on South Main street
While it will be desirable to have the
village well covered in case a fire alarm is
put in 1t will be for the meeting TO decide
whether less number than Is cannot be
made to answer to begin with. There is
Enthusiastically growing sentiment in ia
vor of the adoption of a general alarm sys-
TEN, with the preference in favor of the
Gamewell apparatus by those who have in
vestigated the subject.
The New England telephone company
have made an offer which will be very adj
vantageOus to the village in case it is de-
cided TO put in the electric fire alarm. The
company wishes to remove all its telephone
wires from the buildings to which they are
now attached, and in return for the priyi-
lege of erecting poles in the streets it pro-
poses to give TO the village the use of the
upper arm on each pole to carry the fire
alarm wire, and to string the wires, SO far
as its poles will accommodate them, free
of cost to the village. The saving in ex-
pense to the village in this respect is esti-
mated at $500.
The bailiffs give notice that they will be
at the steamer engine house next Monday
evening, when they will be glad to explain
the working of the Gamewell system to
any and all voters who may wish to see it.