Evening journal., 1895-02-27
WITH THE FIRE LADIES
The City Fathers Begin Their
Semi-annual Inspection.
A VISIT TO THE WEST SIDE HOUSES

Everything in Appie-pie order, the
Houses in Splendid Condition and the
Apparatus Ready for Amy Emergency-A
Magnificent Showing OF the Fire De-
partment.
II was always an advocate OF paid
fire department. until tonight, said an
Albany man to an EVENING JOURNAL
reporter, but after visiting some Of your
houses am not so thoroughly convinced
that a change from the present volunteer
system would not be More OF dis
advantage than otherwise. | have never
seen department la fact, never dreamed
could see one, which so nearly came up
to my idea NJ model department in
matter Of houses, apparatus, horses or
men. / think that the city is TO be
congratulated on that part OF its make
up any way, and know that the firemen
are deserving OF praise for the interest
taken in their houses
Last evening Messrs Tyre. Meany,
Kirby and McNulty, OF the fire com
mittee of City Council, Chief Walker aud
Assistants Welsh and SRsse, and mem.
bers Of the local press began the 50 al
annual inspection OF the FIRE department.
On former occasions this visit has been
made to all the houses In one evening,
the result being a hurried visit, ending
late at night Last evening only four
companies were visited and the result
WAS much more satisfactory.
The party started shortly before s
o'clock, making the first stop at the
home Of the Friendship boys, whose pride
In their century and quarter OF exis
teEee is natural Everything was in
apple pie order here and brass work and
metal shone under the care given IL by
careful and willing hands, The report
showed real estate, $2l 900; personal,
"a O00 La France engine, "a 500; three
fine horses, 81 600; Silsby hose reel,
carry Ing 600 feet OF hose, $780, 400
feat good hose, d5 active and 90 honorary
members City Solicitor George A
Elliott helped inepect this house aud
expressed himself AS pleased with its
condition.
The next stop was at the w ater-
witch's beautiful home In the heart Of
the Forty Acres 4 his company has
record Of 90 years although It has not
occupied its present house for very
many years. The report shows. house
and lot $40 600; personal SO 500 hose
wagon, $3.50; engine 81 000 ,450 feet
6rst class hose, $1,000. three horses,
| 81, 900; 1876 active members aud as many
more honorary Ths stable Is the finest
Ia the department and has all conven-
iences. A new lighter has been ided
/ to the engine, and a heater Is In
course of building. President James
McGlinchey made neat speech to the
visitors. in which he thanked City
Council for its many acts Of kindness to
the company and promised In return TO
| give the bsst work in the company 3
power.
A royal welcome awaited the party at
the handsome homo Of the Weccacoeg
The engine. one mass Of nickel, shons
like q mirror, and as one OF the council.
men remarked, was a veritable mechRni-
cal poem. The horses were slick and
fat and their coats shone with frequent
rubbings, The engine Is valued at 81 200
and Is the handsomest and best kept one In
service, thanks to Driver John McGui-
gan's care, The report shows real estate
$l2, 900. horse wagon, $685.; / 500 feet
hose, new, 81 $50: 500 feet medium hose,
5000; one hose reel, $3.50; hose cart, $50
four horses, $1,000; steam heater, 5000
furniture and personal, 81 s25 There
are ninety eight active members
A patent lighter and arrangement for
keeping water in the engine hot are
features Of the house The visitors were
entertained Hospitality by the boys
4 Fame Hose was next visited This
1 c ompany was instituted In 1889 and has
always been an efficient and active com
pany. Itis crRmped for room, but by
means OF mechanical appliances every
foot is put to the best advantage. The
report shows: Real estate. $15. 900;
personal. 80 600; active members, $50;
La France engine, Silsby hoss cart, three
fine horses 1900 feet first class hose
and 700 feet second class comprise the
apparatus A feature of the house is the
sliding stall, which permits the cart
horse to get out Of the way OF the engine
horse A novelty In use at this house Is
a pipe holder, invented by jacob
Kopf, one of the members II
consists OF tsleFcopic claw bar, strapped
to the nozzle. and capable Of being
heightened to five feet. When In use II
Ia jRmmed into the pavement, and a
cross handle allows two men to hold the
stream steadily on the FIRE, no matter
what the pressure 1t is handy and does
away with all the inconvenience Of the
old holder Mr., Kopf has applied for .
patent.
The inspection ended here aud the
party dispersed This evening the other
companies will be inspected.