The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-13
WHAT CHIEF HALE SAYS.
His Report Upon the Inspection Of the
Fire Department.

Chief Puder Should Be Given Full Au-
thority-He Recommends the Pur-
chase of Two Heavy Engines, Fire
Boat and the Establishment of Two
New Hose Houses Some SuRges-
tions For the Improvement of the
Department Words of Praise For
the Men.
The report of Chief Fireman Hale, of
Kansas City, upon his recent inspection
of the fire department, was submitted to
the city council yesterday. The report
covers nine typewriter pages of
foolscap. The first part is devoted to
technical report upon the inspection and
tests of the five engines Of the depart
ment, the main facts of which were pub
lished during Chief Hales stay in Savan-
nah. The chief speaks of the engines as
being of light grade.
In the test of the Bay street main,
Chief Hale mentions that two of the five
engines became crippled and unfit for
duty during the test, necessitating their
being taken apart and repaired, leaving
the city with only three engines of the
lightest grade for its fire protection for
several hours
The pres sure at the hydrant in front of
the city exchange was only forty pounds
when the engines began work, and after
they had been run up to their full capac-
ity the gauge only registered twenty-five
pounds. A test of the sixteen inch main
on Bryan street was made Immediately
after the test of the six-inch main on Bay
street and a pressure of sixty pounds to
the square inch found, an increase of
forty pounds over the Bay street main
only a block away. Satisfactory tests of
direct pressure were made il theextended
limits and at the Central railroad wharf.
THE FIREMEN's QUARTERS.
1.-THE next inspection" says the report,
"was that of the firemens quarters,
which were found to be in neat and
clean condition and provided with all
modern sanitary improvements, and in
many cases good deal Of ingenuity and
good taste was displayed by the members
Of the companies, ana as whole they
compare very favorably, both in design
and equipment, with those of any city in
the country.
OF Chief Puder, Chief Hale says: 81
was afforded somewhat of an opportunity
to study the capability Of your chief
William B. Puder, whom | found to be a
wide-awake and energetic gentleman, and
man whom, in my Judgment, possesses
all the qualifications necessary TO fit him
for the position he now holds. and | con-
slider that he has done remarkably well
with the means at his disposal, and am
of tho opinion that Chief Puder would
give the city of Savannah excellent fire
duty if your honorable body would clothe
him with the proper authority to control
his department and not be subjected to
the whims and ideas of people outside
of the fire service, who are present at all
large fires. | would, therefore, recon-
mend to your honorable body:
THE CHIEF MUST CONTROL.
al. That the chief be placed in absolute
control of his department. The appoint
! meuts and dismissals should be made by
him alone, and he should be held individ-
! ually responsible for the discipline and
! good order of the department and to main
! tain the very highest degree of efficiency
| Politics should be excluded from the de-
! partment and members chosen only for
| their fitness for the service This is a
matter of vital Importance and should re
! ceive your earnest considerable for
without discipline your department can
not maintain its efficiency
''2. / would also recommend that two
! additional steam fire engines be purchased
! and placed in service for the better pro-
! lection of your mercantile district These
engines should be of that type class
! known as second size engines. capable of
! throwing, if necessary, a one aud half
| inch stream of water. Your city is largely
| built of Georgia pine, which is heavily
| stock with pitch, which, when subjected
| TO from 200 to 300 degrees OF heat, Yields a
| very liberal supply of inAammable LIQUID
| which is tho means of rapidly spreading
! fire throughout the building in which ii
occurs. hence it is necessary to use large
| volumes of water in order to subdue such
| fires.
MORE APPARATUS NEEDED.
"Your department as now equipped has
| no reserve engine whatever, and in case
of an engine being disabled, 1t is neces-
! sary to throw the company out Of service
! until the engine has been repaired. Your
/ city is fast growing in wealth and
! population, and contains many large and
| costly structures, which are heavily
stocked with valuable merchandise and
/ II is unwise 10 expect your department To
! cope with such risks with The small mum
/ per OF engines and men which YOU now
! have engaged in your department.. Each
/ steam tire engine company should consist
Of not less than ten fun paid frenen.
/ Your aerial hook and ladder truck should
/ be manned with force of seven men.
LARGER MAIN OS TnE BAY.
80. l would also recommend that the
Z b-inch water main on Bay street be taken