Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-10-28
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
The City Government Committee Dis
cuss the Matter Last Evening.

The committee appointed by the City
Government to examine into the matter Of
providing fire alarm system for Augusta
met in the Office of Baker, Baker & Cornish
last evening. A. +. Wheeler representing
the Gamevell Company at Boston, was
present and had for the examination Of the
committee = box and gong with appara-
tus. He was closely questioned by the
members OF the committee, and one or
two citizens who are much inter
ested in having good FIRE alarm sys-
TEN in the city. Mr.. Wheeler said that he
would guarantee the system to remain free
from any flaw or defect for 10 years. The
superintendeDce aud the cost Of Ihs material
woald be the principal annual expense. To
keep IS lrs going for tho gear would cost
about $50; about 81 % per jkr, not out
side 81 so Chief Engineer Morse had
been over the city with Mr.. Wheeler dur
ing the afternoon and on being asked said
he thought about IL boxes would be re-
quired. Mr.. Wheeler thought that prob
ably eight TO 10 boxes would suffice; 10 to
II miles Of wire, strong iron wire put
nt least three feet above any other
wire in the city. About 80 Jars would be
required TO furnish the power. The "Sec-
tor" boxes would cost them So, but the
best, the non-interfefaDce box would cost
SI25. He said the system WAS in use in
the Maine cities of Portland, Bangor, Lew
iston and Auburn, Biddeford and Rock
land. Two tower strikers would be needed.
These would cost 500 each il the bell was
under 1000 lbs. Roughly estimating, .
system Of 8 "Bector" boxes, 2 tower strik-
eYs, 6 tsppers. an Is inch gong, galvano-
meters, witches, batteries, eleven
miles Of wire, ETC., would cost about 1856.
The best boxes and apparatus would sdd
$l00 to that sum. lie would say that he
would give from one to two months trial,
$500 cash On acceptance Of the best
system, and the balance, $I455, he would
discount at per cent.
Alderman F. w. Mathews has sought
information on the subject Of fire alarm
and large Dumbcr Of letters in reply to his
questions have been received and some Of
them we're read as the meeting last evening.
Chief Engineer MAfden Of Portsmouth,, N.
H., recommends the Gsmeveil fire alarm
system. He says they have used ii Of
Portsmouth since jane 1885. lie adds,
"Gur boxes cost Si25 each, indicators the
same price. It costs US 5000 per year for
our steam gong. ETC."
s. Il. Brady Of Pennington writes, advo-
eating the ufe OF the Beedy system, which
10 In use at Pennington whers 1t 10 irving
fxceilen. sstisfaction. He desires an in
spection Of his system At Fafmington.
Chief Engineer Scott Of Bath writes thst
they have examined the 0smeweil system
with view tshsviDg it, and he says 1t
seems to him the only reliable system in
use.
Chief NJ J. Moriarty Of Lewiston writes
LEwIsros, Oct. IL.
r. w. MATHEWS
Dear Sir-Yours Of the IL n inst. at hand
ard contents noted. Would say 10 reply
thst we use the Gsmewell system. Ex.
pense Of running; ~ SO per call; total
sxpenss, $235.s2 per year. We have 30
alarm boxes in our system, three indicators,
three s3nss and 20 iappers. Tho cost per
box 10 4l25- One man 10 employed -
superintendent Of fre alarm and engineer
Of steamers At salary Of 1900 psf snnum."
Bangor writes: .'We arc using the
Gsmevsll system ~ that is the most relia-
be Of any IN use.
Kockland's chief engineer says ihst thsS
have used The GAmevsil siocs 1883 and
hsvsns hsd The least trouble since 10
locating fire.