Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-14


The Council Committee on Fire De-
partment held a long and important
meeting last night, considering several
matters Of more than ordinary moment.
Perhaps the most important subject
brought to the attention Of the Com
mittee was introduced by Chief Healy,
who pointed out the great desirability
OF having q hose company or chemical
i'll the extreme eastern portion OF the
city, for the protection Of the large
population living north Of Sixteenth
street from fire. The Committee at
once approved the idea, which has been
discussed 10 very considerable extent
heretofore, through the columns OF the
Register and by members OF Council,
and there was an unaHimiJy OF sentl-
menJ in favor Of the Improvements
Chairman Britt called the attention OF
his Committee to the fact that Jhe city
owned a piece OF ground at the inter-
section CT MCCull0ch and Baltimore
streets, not lar from the east end o.
Fourteenth street, which might be util-
lied for fire purposes at small expense,
and the lot TO be acquired by the city
from w. j. Colts, trustee, at Baker and
McCullOch streets, was also cOnsidereu,
as well as two or three other locations
scattered along McCulloch street. As
TO the apparatus, il was proposed 20
bring over the Island reel, not now in
use, put it in repair, equip il with q
tifty-ga.lon chemical tank, and a proper
amount Of hose, and place 1t in the pro-
posed building, which would be Of
frame, Of inexpensive construction,
After deyOting some time to a cOnsid-
Grafton Of the matter, a resolution was
adopted asking Council to instruct the
Finance Committee 10 provide the nee
essary funds.
Another matter of considerable pub
lie interes,, brought by the Chief, was
the purchase of a new striking appara-
tus Tor the tower of the City Hall.
When Mr.. Chanlee, Of the American
Fire Engine Company, was here, a cou-
pie OF months ago, Chief Healy and
he made a careful examination of the
apparatus, which has been out of or
der and entirely unreliable for years,
and he stated that it would be a waste
OF money to try to repair il further as
sixteen years of service had knocked
it out beyond the hope of repair. The
cost of new striker will be $500, and
there viii be an allowance of $500 for
the old apparatus. The Committee
adopted a resolution recommending
Council to allow the item.
Chairman Britt reported that the
wind was blowing the weather board
ing off the tower of the Atlantic en-
CINE house, and the question arose
whether it would be good policy to
eXpend any money for repairs. tear the
tower down, or let the weather work
its sweet viii. The danger point is
thar some Of these nights the wind may
get under the boards and blow the
whole structure over on the adjoining
residences. After some talk. it was
agreed 70 have a few boards nailed on
temporarily.
IL was reported that the tires were
falling off the Eighth ward reel. and
the Chief and Mr.. Hahne were instruct
ed to have repairs made at once. The
reel was lately rebuilt, but the job was
not at all satisfactory. rs there is a
kick about it, in some form. at about
every meeting of the Committee.
The old bills arising from the I'M
founded allegation that Fireman Jack
Crogan, of the Niagara. had the small
poX, last September, We're then taken
up. These bills We're originally sent to
the Health Committee and thence sent
TO the Fire Committee. then back to
Health. and then to Fire again. The
Fire Committee kicked like steers on
paying the bills, as the body had MOTH
ing to do with mourning the expense,
but finally motion to recommend pay
ment was adopted, with the under
standing that the Finance Committee
was to make a special allowance to the
fire department to cover the amount
S7+75.
Bills to the aggregate amount of ST.
05l.4S were audited and recommended
for payment.