Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-04
AFRAID OF BIG FIRES.
The President of the Fire
Underwriters Associa-
tiOn of Pittsburg
CRITICISES CITY CHIEFS.
he Declares That Many Promises
Made Have Not Been Kept
BROWN AND BIGELOW MAKE REPLY
Finance Committee Blamed for Cutting
Appropriations.
BROWN AND BIGELOW MAKE REPLY
A COMPARISON WITH OTHER CITIES

Major William G. McCaudless, President of
the Fire Underwriters Association, has just
returned from six weeks trip to Europe.
While not here at the time of the last
Liberty street fire and not being interested
in it directly through his companies, he is
ex officio very much concerned in the un-
favorable comments made upon the way the
fire was handled. In the course of a con-
versation relating to this fire and the city's
fire service generally he made some inter-
esting statements, accusing Chiefs Bigelow
and Brown of negecting to keep faith with
the Board of Underwriters in the improve
ment of the department in the outside
facilities for suppressing fires. The accused
Chiefs reply to his statements in an appar-
emily logica! way as will be seen by the in
terviews below, and at the same time give
some interesting information.
'The Pittsburg Fire Department" re-
marked Mr.. McCandless, sis frequently
criticised unfavorably, but in its general
efficiency it can be well compared with
those of other cities. For example, it is
better than that of Philadelphia. On the
other hand, there are causes of complaint
which, if eradicated. would largely augment
the strength Of the department.. Our Com
mittee of Conference which held consulta-
tions with Chiefs Brown and Bigelow, have
reason to at least make inquiry as to why
certain promises have not been kept. Chief
Brown last winter agreed to give us two
water towers, and fire boat, and to change
all second-class engines in the lower part
of Lo -, IL
the lighter engines in the suburbs.
Many More Fire Plugs Needed
''Chief Bigelow agreed with Chief Brown
that there were not enough fire plugs in the
lower part of the city and he agreed to put
in Thousand new ones. None of these
things have been done, and in a short time
1 shall hold another conference with these
gentlemen in regard to this matter There
is very urgent need of more fire plugs They
are much cheaper than a length of hose,
costing but about sos each, and they will
frequently save the use of hose and add to
the power of the stream of water by pro1-
unity to fire. On Fifth avenue, for in
stance, between Market and Smithfeld
streets, there are but two plugs. This is an
absurdity. Chief Bigelow promised to put
plug on each corner and one in the center
OF the square, which would greatly increase
the facilities of the department. Councils
passed ordinances empowering all this work,
but it has not been done. Then there is
another thing The steamers do not have
large enough crews to handle the big three
inch hose when it is filled with water.
Chiefs Brown and Bigelow have always
treated us courteously, and maybe there are
reasons for their failure to push this work. -
When Chief Brown was informed of Mr.
McCandless' statements he proceeded to
state the reasons as follows:
Slow Work to Make Improvements.
In the first place, while we did agree to
make a number of improvements in the fire
service, including new fire plugs, cer-
tainly never promised nor contemplated
putting in 1000 additional fire plugs. There
was no number specified, and it was under
stood that about 100 were to be placed west
of Grant street. But Mr. McCandless eyi-
IDENTIFY forgets the slow process of govern
ment. 1t takes time to work out improve
mcntS.
\ little more than a year ago we had a
number OF large fires in this city which re-
suited in an agitation for more apparatus
and general additions to the department At
a conference with the Underwriters As
sociation l and other city officials
agreed to follow the line of the Under |
writer's suggestion and ask Councils for so
additional men, fire boat a water
tower and four new first size fire |
engines TO be located west of Grant
would require an immense outlay of money,
and after discussing the matter we decided |
to omit the fireboat in the first years e1- |
pense: so an ordinance was introduced and |
passed providing Tor all the other features |
suggested. But the appropriation for that |
year had already been made and we could |
do nothing under our ordinance until the |
expense was provided for in this years ap-
preparations. In the meantime the terms OF |
office of Mr.. Bigelow and myself expired
and we had the uncertainty of reelection
to prevent our going on with any improve
ments without the cash at hand.
appropriations Cut in Committee.
Tie appropriation ordinance has not been
q law but for two months this year We had
provided for all the improvements for the
fire department in it, but the Finance Com
mittee in its wisdom saw fit to cut out $50
600 that had inserted for the so additional
men, on the ground that they could not be
used until the new apparatus was purchased
and ready for service. That money they
applied to the erection of new engine houses
in the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-fifth
wards, and 1 am free to say that it was
unwise and a detriment to the fire service |
Not to discuss il at length there is no real |
necessity for engines either in the Twenty
seventh or Thirty-fifth wards at this tlme |
but Councils ordered it done. and, not wish |
ing to place myself in an impeac chable posi- |
tlon by refusing to obey their Instructions,
L am having ii done as rapidly possible.
As to carrying out the Instructions of the /
Improvement ordinance. am proceeding as (
rapidly as possible. As soon as the money |
was at my disposal two months ago, 1 |
leased the old Fulton foundry property on |
Second avenue. The building is only |
Slnll NJ will rlira lali
almost rebuilding, to answer our purpose.
Much time has been necessary to prepare
plans for that part of the work, but they
now finished and were to-day approved
by Mayor Gourley, to whom l submitted |
them. 1t will require four months time to
do the work necessary on the building alone.
1t is intended to make it Il double engine
house. On the Second avenue side we will
have a large first size fire engine and hose
carriage. On the First avenue side there
will be either another first size engine or a
water tower. Chief Humphries is now in
vestigatIng that subject. At first was in
favor of a water tower, but now / am doubt
1u about it. Brooklyn and Philadelphia
have them, but advise us not to buy them.
New York has them and the officials think
they are a great Improvement, but the con-
ditions are different there.
Rather Different in New York.
In the business part of New York fire en-
eines are kept close together, and u of them
respond on the first alarm, 10 in other dis
tricts, and on the second alarm 30 engines
are the ground water tower to be
efficient must have three engines attached
to it, and does better with four. Where
would we be with q water tower on the first
alarm? Even with the five engines we ex-
pect to have in a few months in the lower
part OF the city, it would require three of
them to supply the tower and only two
would be left for the balance of the work,
leaving in practically the same posi-
tion we are now in with regard to surround
ing q fire. Another objection to towers is |