Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-12
THE FIRE COMMITTEE
DISCUSSED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AT
LAST NIGHTS MEETING.
They Favor the Purchase of Two New Engines, and
the Abolition Of the "Bxtramen System"
What the Members Said.

partment held very important meet
ing at the City Hall last night, at which
there was an exhaustive discussion of
the present condition and needs OF the
Department, and the best method OF
securing an improvement. The matter
came up formally through the annual
report Of the Chief, who recommended
the abolition Of the extramen system,
which he said cost the city over $1,000
a year, and was practically waste OF
money, and also called attention to the
fac that the engines were in bad shape,
almost beyond the point of repair, and
that they were liable to break down at
any moment, to the great jeopardy Of
property.
Mr.. Bailey said he was heartily in
favor of the purchase of two new en-
gines, and urged recommendation OF
that nature TO Council, in the annual
estimate. Then, il big fire occurred
through the insuficiency Of the Depart
ment, the Committee would not be
to blame. That such fire would occur,
he thought no one conyersant with the
risk the city was running could deny.
He did not believe in the purchase OF
another chemical engine, They cost
50, 100, and their utility was question
able. They were all right at the very
outset of fire, but once any consider
able start was gained, that portion OF the
apparatus was out Of the fight.
Chief Healy-Both the Vigilant and
the Atlantic broke down at the Kim
berly fire, and they are incapable OF
making any serious exertion, although
three hundred dollars was spent upon
them the past year, in repairs. They
have seen twenty-four years OF hard
service, and can no longer be relied
upon.
Mr.. BaileY-If that is the case,
prompt action is necessary. Perhaps,
il we had engines to replace those two,
we could get an expert 10 look at them,
and probably for thousand dollars
each they might be shipped away and
fixed up so as to get six or eight years,
service out of them. But that would
take great deal of time. I'm not at
all sure it could be done.
Mr.. Happy-It's my opinion that we
ought TO have two more engines.
Mr.. O'Kane-We need some protec-
ton, too, for those people living around
the hill. They ought to have reel or
a chemical, for as it is, the department
can't get to them, as the roads are bad
and steep.
Mr.. Bailey-Last year, when this
matter was brought up, there was an
argument that the water pressure,
when we get the new the new reser-
voir,' will be enough, without engines.
The pressure then will be 81 pounds. In
Pittsburgh, the pressure in the busi-
ness district is $50 pounds, and they
have engines in every house, and are
constantly keeping up their machinery.
It's Just this way. The department is
no better now than 1t was when was
going to school, while the town has
grown, and buildings are larger and
more valuable. Some OF these
DAYS, unless we do something,
Wheeling will wake up to
100000, fire and then the
cry will be, why didn't the Committee
on Fire Department attend to its bust
ness and ask for what they needed and
point out the danger% Well catch 1t
then; we'll be roasted out of this COM
munity. Let us do our duty, and ask
for what we conceive the department
needs, and then Council can shoulder
the responsibility. Wen have per-
formed our duty. I expect we'll hear
that argument again about the new res
ervoir, but there's nothing in 1t, and we
haven't got the reservoir in shape yet,
either"
After a further discussion, during
which the whole matter was gone over,
a resolution was adopted inStructing
the clerk to write to the manufacturers
of the Amoskeag, Silsby and Ahrens
engines for prices for one and two new
engines.
The matter Of the extramen was then
taken up, and the Chief gave it as his
emphatic opinion that the present syS-
tenn was worthless. Extramen did not
attend fires, land when they do" said
be, "they come in their good clothes,
and as rule don't want to get wet"
This was discussed at great length,
and they Mr.. Bailey introduced the
subject OF axother full paid man at the
hook and ladder. He said that COM
pany had no eXtramen, and but three
men, one Of whom must see to his horses
the first thing on arriving at fire. The
company had to attend to all fire alarms,
and the first thing called for was lad
der, or axes, hooks, etc. The other
iremen were busy, Of course, and two
or even three men, could not handle the
heavy ladders, and were slow, OF neces-
sity. in getting them OF the truck, at
the very time when speed was worth
big money per minute.
The Chief suggested that 1t would be
a good thing, If the extramen system
was not abolished, to have an eXtraman
remain at each house all night, every
night in the year, and the committee
seemed to think that this would he bet
ter than nothing at.all.
The question of better discipline and
drill then came up for attention, and
several suggestions were given the
Chief, respecting the adoption of a code
OF signals, drill in the use Of the pom
pier apparatus, etc.
1t was stated that new floors were
needed at the Chemical and Eighth
ward houses, and this led up to the an
nual inspection tour. 1t was decided TO
leave the City Hall, on this tour, at 100
D. m. on Thursday of this week.
Bills aggregating S1S3. 30 were passed,
the new Vigilant building was discussed
aud numerous items appertaining to it
attended to, and the committee ad