The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-08-12
The FIRE CHIEFS
IN COUNCIL
CONTINUED from page -

asserted that they had one twenty
1our-story building in the city, and
that one with twenty eight stories was
being projected. But the law in the
stale provides that all such structures
should be fireproof
Chief Hall didn't believe that one
shouddi wait till the building burned
down to the water. He knew every
nreman in the country would get to the
top of the building where the fire was,
III it was possible. Science with its
appliances was doing wonders in the
matter Of protecting tall buildings.
Electric pumps We're now used to take
water to the tops, and standpipes were
in general use. There was one matter
which should be checked, and that was
the habit of the insurance men in MAX
ing inspections. They were prone to let
water into the hose on the several
floors just to see whether the stand
pipes contained water or not. This
water was small in quantity, but Suf-
1icient to rot the hose. He favored the
use of small pet cock for the use Of
the insurance men.
Chief Stetson thought the chiefs were
doing all their duty when they advo-
Gated the use of the standpIpe and
good hose.
In the opinion of Chief Pelletier of
Kansas CITY the parsimony of the
owners of buildings of this character
was responsible for a, great deal OF
trouble. They did not provide the
proper appliances for their own protec-
ton
Chief Reedell of Omaha believed the
care OF the large buildings was re-
sponsibility which the chief ought not
have. The building department was
the branch Of government which should
attend to these matters. AS the mat
ter stands at this time. all appliances
which are put in are used for the sole
purpose of reducing the expenses of
insurance, and the very cheapest which
cam be obtained is used. Unless a pos
tive ordinance is in force the owners
wild not obey.
TANKS ON THE ROOF.
Chief Clark of New York City relet-
ed that in his district the standpipe was
in use, and tanks on the roofs were al
ways full. The latter was a good
plan.
This was objected TO by Reedell, who
declared the fall of a tank in Chicago
had BEEN the means of killing seven
good men. He did not believe in tanks
on the roofs.
Chief Dickinson thought tanks were
ali right when they were in the cellar
the water upward.
Chief Hale opposed Reedell and Dick
inson. If the tanks are built on the
corners of the structure and properly
placed. there Needle no fear, for if the
bur ding burns, every fireman will be
outside ere this tank falls. He cited
several instances where buildings had
burned to the naked walls, and the
tank remained in place.
alta 4l.a
same was ordered spread upon the
minutes.
On motion of Chief HIggin, chairman
of the committee on exhibit, the con-
vention decided to take a recess until
2:30. at which time the examination of
the exhibits would begin.
WILL co TO PARK CITY.
Chief Devine read a letter of invita-
ton from Chief Pape, on behalf of
Park City, inviting the members of the
convention TO come up there tomorrow
and look at the mines
Chief Humphreys satisfied himself
that all could get back in time TO take
the i:40 train ON the Rio Grande West
eTn and spoke in favor of the trip. It
was his first trip to the west, and
might be his last. He and others were
growing old and might at any time be
called to the land where fire hydrents
are an unknown quantity. and are not
needed. He wanted TO look at a great
silver mime, and the machinery, be-
cause he came from the place where it
was manufactured, and wanted to see
IT work.
On motion of Chief Brooks the invi-
tation was accepted.
The convention then took a recess
until 2:SO.