New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22

vision should be made to protect the congested
districts Of New-York, where great values in
drygoods and other property are ircluded in a
comparatively small area. The movement to i'm
prove the water pressure has led to the intro
duction in the Legislature. I understand. Of
bill authorizing an Appropriation of sl,0c0.00O to
pay for additional mains
There is another plan which favor. that Of
utilizing freboats by taking the water Of
the Hudson and East rivers. The system Of
using river water has proved successful in Mil
waukee and other Western cities. where the de-
partments have been enabled by freboats TO
force water to a height Of 1875 feet. The present
pressure of water in NewYork is wholly made
quate to reach the upper stories OF high buildings.
ard some improvement is imperatively needed to
afford a greater pressure. ! have been told that
Mayor Strong favors river water. Some objec-
ton is made l understand. on the ground that
property would be damaged by salt water; it is
better that It be damaged by salt water than by
fire.
This system of drawing on the two rivers
here could be introduced at moderate cost. and l
would like to the authorities take action at
once to lay small pipes through the streets to
carry the river water, with outlets of hydrants as
at present.
HE DOESN'T FEAR SALT WATER.
An earnest upholder Of the river water plan is
+. c. Moore. president Of the Continental lnsur-
ance Company. who is frequently asked at his
office in No as Cedar-st for information on this
scheme. To the reporter. he said:
"An advantage in employing the fireboats is
brought home with particular force when the
obstacle of a blizzard arises to prevent engines
from going through the streets With the fire.
boats going to the scene unimpeded. no engines
would be required Besides. a fireboat has force
enough to throw a stream 200 feet high, with
volume equal to that of seven engines.
ut Is highly important that something be done
to improve the water pressure and believe that
the two rivers should be utilized More protection
is absolutely necessary for the drygoods district
where $500 900 900 is represented in buildings and
merchandise. If this enormous property were
swept away by a confagration all the insurance
companies in this country could not pay the loss.
LAS to the charge that salt water would in
crease the damage. that is balanced by the fact
that salt water will extingush fire quicker than
fresh water. Salt is the quickest extinguisher
Of a chimney fire. the sodic chloride being the
deadly foe OF flame.
Mr. Moore admitted that he regarded the reser-
vor system of waterworks as the best for nre-
extinguishing, with the reservoir at suificient
elevation to insure an effective head or pressure
at the hydrants Of eighty pounds TO the square
tanned the reservoir should be elevated about
two hundred feet above the general level OF inc
city and near enough 10 prevent serious loss OF
head the friction Of the water passing through
pipes lowering the pressure In the absence OF
such a water supply, Mr. Moore turned 70 the
fireboats as the most available aid. saying:
1T SHOULD REDUCE INSURANCE RATES.
The powerful pumps of the tireboats could he
Utilized at small expense by running eight-inch
Pipes (ten-inch would be better stilD, With by
drant connections, from the water front 10 the
mercantile centre thus bringing into the heart
Of business districts pressure exceeding that OF
many steam engines and capable Of forcing water
to the very tops of high. modern. hreproof struct
ures These by-the-way. ought always 10 be
provided with external standpipes and siameSc
connections at the street. so as to save the loss
Of time of carrying hose for the upper stores
especially II the elevator should not be running.
as It might. Where pipes with connections al
the water front for the use OF the nreDoats are
thus extended into the city. Intelligent system
OF rating should allow per cent deduction in
rate to all buildings on the line OF the pipes or
within 500 feet Of hydrant connections
milwaukee has two fireboats and nearly SIX
miles OF fireboat pipe lines which vary In length
from 800 to $500 feet. These lines are tapped at
each corner well as In the middle OF the
block. by large hydrants. Six-inch pipe was
found to be too small, and at present all fire
boat pipe lines being laid are and 10 inch
Chief Foley says that. in test with 32JO-foot
line. using a 2h-inch nozzle. the jet OF solid
water 100 feet. or the height OF an ordinary
grain elevator In another test, with 2.2c0-
foot line two leads OF 30 feet each. 3l2-inch hose
and pinch nozzle. solid water was thrown from
both 10 a height of 100 feet, after which, by
siamesing both streams and using 3-inch noz-
gle. water in a solid stream was thrown lsS feet
In warm weather the lines are kept full 10 save
time in starting. but empted in freezing
weather.
THE SYSTEM IN CHICAGO
Detroit has a most extensive system, its pipe
lines having been laid In nine streets and vary
ing In length from 700 to 1000 feet. The long line
of 1000 feet has delivered from one hydrant four
ls. and one 2 inch fire streams that were magni-
fcent The superiority Of the streams delivered
from the pipe lines as compared with those Of
the engine is readily apparent TO the most cas-
ual observer. The water comes with greater
force in a more solid body and does the most
effective work.
THE Detroit lines are provided with a cutoff
valve opposite each hydrant, so that, In case
Of walls falling on the hydrant, the water may
be shut off without shutting on the entire nam,
and the pipes are inclined toward the river
enabling the freboat TO fill them when neces-
sary while In cold weather they are immediate
ly empted by means of valve al the water
front.
AT present the situation in this city is grave,
owing to the fact that steam fre-engnes prob
ably without exception. are OF such delicate con-
struction that they resemble the machinery OF
watch. They are liable to breakage, ana when
broken must often be sent to distance. TO the
shop Of the manufacturer, to be repaired Money
Is needessly spent on nckelplate, brass finish
and geegaws
HE ALSO FAvORS SALT WATER.
To H. W. Eaton, resident manager OF the
Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance
Company the saltwater suggestion appealed
strongly. He remarked:
1T is a most excellent plan. New-York Is
neculiarly adapted to employing such system
because of its situation between two large
estuaries the elongated character OF the city
and the absence Of extremely wide ports.
This subject is of interest to the whole com
munity. The lack Of a sufficient water supply,
which would place the city at the mercy OF a
conflagration, is Of vital importance to the
people because In the end 1t Is the people