The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
DOES NOT SCARE THEM
CITY OFFICERS CONSIDER THE IN
sURANCE COMPANIES DEMANDS.
Plumbers Ordinance Fixed to
Suit bers.

The city officials are not inclined to accept
seriously the report made TO the Board
of Safety by the inspector appointed by the
board of underwriters 10 investigate the
condition of the fire department. That sec
ton recommending that Chief Webster be
given full control of the department and
be responsible for the men is not a matter
for comment by the member of the admin
istration. One prominent member stated that
Mr.. Webster has had full control and full
management. and if there is any lack of
discipline he alone is TO blame. The same
member said he would hardly agree TO Mr..
Webster being given full control in making
improvements for he has large ideas of how
a department should be run. and he would
expend no end of money in equipping the
department.
Concerning the recommendation of the
expert on the establishment of engine houses
ii is said that the Board of Safety con-
templates doing much that is recommended
Already plans have been accepted for an
engine house at West and Morris streets
and another on West Washington street,
while steps are being taken to establish a
house in North Indianapolis and another
on College avenue near Seventeenth street.
In regard to engines the wish of the ex-
pert is thought excessive. The board has
already purchased one and is contemplating
buying another, but the purchase of three
heavy engines and two Of the second grade
is out of the question at present. although
it is the purpose to repair several of the
old ones. The report asks for 10000 feet of
new hose with which to equip the new COM
panies. The board has not figured on the
exact number of feet necessary, so their
purchase may or may not fall short of the
recommendation of the expert.
The wholesale m of the alarm
system by the expert is not a surprise to
the board, for Mr.. Webster has frequently
boxes. In fact, the whole report of the
expert suggests talks which Mr.. Webster
has given the board. which indicates that
experts on fire subjects see things alike.
The report says that eighty-seven of the
III boxes should be condemned, while Mr..
Webster has said that a large number of
the boxes are out of date and should b.
replaced by modern ones. No extensive i'm
provement will be made in this regard,
however.
The recommendation of the expert con-
corning the building avs and the manner
of laying water mains is accepted as true.
The water company, 1t is claimed, is pre-
pairing to remedy the plug question. The
recommendations of the expert in this mat
Protective shutters should be more gem
orally used throughout the entire business
- ltN- n eStAli ~ NC a
general evasion of this much needed re-
6nirement.
THE present building law should be so
amended as to include in its provisions
fire and parapet walls and coping of either
stone or terra Gotta, and that no openings
shall be made in party walls until plans,
including provisions for standard fire doors.
shall have been submitted to the building
inspector. and shall have received his APP
prevail. The fire or parapet walls should be
carried at least two feet above the roof Of
the building. i.
The branch supply mains connecting all
hydrants should be not less than six inches
in diameter. All fire hydrants houid have
either one or two outlets, with fJur-inch
diameter openings. Additional fire hydrants
should be placed at the corners of alleys,
between cross streets within the business
district and the corners of main streets.
This measure, if adopted. would require
shorter lines of hose, materially lessen fric-
ton and give increased pressure at the noz-
zle. The abandoning of all dead ends of
water mains so as TO secure perfect circula-
ton and pressure is desirable. The substi-
tuition of larger sized mains wherever the
four-inch pipes are laid, especially within
the business district. is recommended !.
Local insurance men understand that un-
less the Board of Safety complies with the
wishes of the underwriters as expressed in
the report of the expert, rates may be ex-
pected to advance. Should the wish be car
ried out, the rates will be placed as they
were before the recent South Meridian
panic. The expert thinks that thirty new
fremen are needed, but the board says il
has no idea of appointing more than it
thinks necessary.
No improvements as extensive as recon-
mended will be made. The board IS going
ahead with improvements, saying that the
SO, 900 appropriated will be expended to the
best advantage possible.