The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-19
NEAR WHEELS.
Fire Alarm Poles and
Boxes in Danger.
Three of Them Have Been
Demolished Already.
Two On North Main Street and One
on South Main Street.

Inc mere inaDll1ty TO light the lamps
topping the fire alarm poles is not the
only trouble experienced by the new un-
derground system recently put in at an
expense of about $40, 600 TO this city.
The News was the first paper 10 dis
cover that the arrangement to gas light
the lamps was dream because there was
not room enough in the poles TO pass a
gas pire from the street to the red Ian
terms on top.
Those directly concerned, the commit
tee OF construction and Others were of the
opinion that the absence of gas was not
a serious draw back to the system because
the lamps could be lit with candles and
candles were cheap. Anyway there has
been N light in the lanterns since the
service was ready for use several weeks
ago. Candles or no candles, something
is happening to the, poles, however and
from present indications there Will be
something OF expense to the city besides
candles.
When the posts were planted they were
locate close TO corners and on the edge
OF the sidewalk to be seen by all men
IL
They were pretty. The paint was fresh
and the red glass was bright. They were
really ornaments to the city thorough
fares and stood as constant reminder
that Artemus Ward was right when he
SAID, ''If man has S15 watch let him
brandish it.' Those lamp posts and
those lanterns have been brandished- at
3.
80.
Being placed close to the street so that
every projecting wheel hue coulu rub
against them it is no wonder that paint
has been rubbed off. Now and then a
heavy team slews up against them and
then down goes the whole fire alarm
corner outfit. A few days ago horse
standing on North Main street was
startled by a mud-tossed copy OF the
morning paper. 1t is presumed he
saw one of the cuts in it. BE that as it
may, the animal reared, ran ana went
up against the post and the post toppled
over, smashing the bright red lantern
good enough for canGles-and damaged
the expensive fire alarm box To-
$500. A few days after this another
disr espectful horse overthrow another
fire alarm post on the same street, adding
a triAe to the already expensive outfit. IL
is not known what frightened the ami
nal. Perhaps it was the lantern. Mon
day evening tho driver of n heavy dray
was guiding two strong horses down
.ba,,
corner of Crawford street the dray began
to slew and never stopped Slowing until
the corner was despoiied of its ornament
and box 312 was out or service. 1t lay
In sections on the street. Or course the
driver was not 10 blame II the fire box pole
was too near the place by right occupied
by his wheels aad so he went along about
bis business.
Immediately after the contact OF
wheel and lamp-post the superintendent
OF the f1re alarm, Charles q. Cloudmsn,
was on hands with two or three assist
ants remedying the defect, because it was
important thst this particular district
should have protection from fire every
minute. The workmen labored with the
BIl up the hole where the gas pipe ought
TO go, and finally got them so they
would lie straight. Then they were all
tested and pronounced q. N. Then n
new post was planted, the wires drawn
up and Attached 10 ths new fire alarm box
and in short time everything was se-
rene on the corner. Marks, the second
hand dealer, felt secure, and the laborers
clearing space fos the new. and what
will be ornamental. building for the
Providence Institution for Savings,
breathed elsier. Tie sidewalk com.
mitiec dispersed and superintendent
Cloudman and his assistants returned to
th,ir Haymarket street quarters TO be
ready Tor the downfall Of another post.
Superintendent Cloudmsn said that he