The morning call., 1893-08-20
IN DEADLY PERIL.
Oakland'S DefenSeieSSneSS
as to Fire.
MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN.
With the Present Protection Certain
Sections Could be Swept by
the Flames.

A fire starting in certain portions of
Oakland would sweep entire blocks with
out the department being able. TO subdue
it. This tact has been brought out within
the past few days by Chief Lawton. and
the City Council thus finds itself confronted
with an other problem. For years the city
across the bay has been ruled by men who
have been mere tools in tho hands of cor
porations aud as long as they legislated
for their masters all was well. In the
meanwhile the city was allowed to care
for itself and drift along on the waves of
time.
Now there's a new set of officials in
power and everv day they are confronted
with some startling proposition. For years
it has been known that the water supply
was inadequate. but the matter has never
been thoroughly investigated until quite
recently.
1t has been providential that the town
has not suffered from a disastrous conflsg-
ration and it will be due to no human
agency that it is not charred and black
ened before such time as the evil eau be
remedied The report of Chief Lawton
shows:
First-Along the water front west OF
Clay street there are only four-inch mains,
whereas east of that thoroughfare the
mains are eight and twelve inches in size.
Second-In The center OF the city the
hydrantS are so scattered that in many in
stances ii would be necessary TO lay 1000
TO 1900 feet of hose liz order to reaen a
burning building.
Third-The pressure is too light in the
center of the town, 1t being much less than
that in East Oakland.
The Chief of the Fire Department was
asked last night about the state of affairs
Neglect Is The cause OF IL all, ana the
matter can only be remedicd by vigorous
action on the part of the Council and such
action should be taken promptly" said lie
The matter has been referred 10 them
and a Councilman told ne it would be
pushed at the next meeting. He was sur
prised al the condition of affairs"
Then, Chief, there are portions of the
city where yOu could not handle a fire?'
''Certainly," SAID he. "a blaze once
well started near the water front, west of
the nail works, would get beyond our con-
troll. AS | have stated. only f0nr-i'ch
ma ms are placed there. and they would oe
of little use. Our engines would suck
them dry and could only throw small
streams. Besides, even these four-inch
mains are seal tered, the hydrants are far
apart and il would be difficult to connect
with many of them.
But as great an evil exists in the center
] Ol Nnt CITY. AIlHOuRH tu6 udlDS
! the hydrants are so scattered that much
| time would be lost in getting tn work.
know two places right in the business GEN.
ter where 1t would require 1900 feet IF hose
| to do any service. Think Of the time 1t
| would require tn connect all this and lay
! il along the streets. then the loss of ROVER
that would be caused by the friction.
| There are innumera BILE places where il
would require from 1000 To 1900 feet OF hose
| 10 do any good. AS to the question of in
sufficient pressure that rests with the
C"ntra Costa Water Company, and the
Council can take the step to compel them
to give better service"
The city If Oakland is at present paying
this water company 81 month for every
hydrant, whether il is in use or not. This
enormous sum should entitle them to the
best of service. and the Council will see to
IL that such is rendered.
a member of the committee to which
the suhiest was referred was seen after
the Chief had spoken.
IT'S a disgrace" said he, that this state
of affairs should exlst. and it Is only due
to the lax methods which have been
adopted by preceding municipal legisla-
tors. We will have the work pushed, and
| by the end of next week will have plans
ready for the city's better protection from
! fire and consult with Chief Lawton about
them. By next Saturday ] think THE
| CALL can tell the people OF Oakland that
everything possible will be done TO in sure
| their safety aud that of their property"
This sudden awakening of Oakland to
the danger that threatens IL is causing
much comment, and shows another cause
for gratitude that a reform Council has
been placed in power and the city rid of
the mon opolstic incubus that has con-
tr0lled the governing power.