Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-10

The Fire Department Committee Of
the City Council held another meet
ing last night, which was enlivened by
a discussion Of the evils of the fire
alarm apparatus and the remedies
suggested.
The committee spent some time in
auditing accounts and will recommend
for payment bills aggregating SSO9.SS.
Among the bills were several for
horseshoeing. An examination OF
these accounts showed a variance in
prices among local members Of the
horseshoers' union, and also precipi-
fated a general discussion. The fact
developed that a resolution providing
for having the horses shod, wherever
practicable. in the wards in which the
hose horses are located, has been lg~
nored. The Chief was instructed TO
straighten out the discrepancy in
charges, and TO comply with the pro
visions Of the resolution adopted Oy
the committee some months ago.
Mr.. Hahne wanted some light on
the electrical apparatus. Council
man Baird read from a memorandum
book some notes on the tests made
about ten DAYS ago. They showed thar
there was not a proper response in one
test i'm four The test was generally
unsatisfactory. Chairman McLure re-
marked. soto voice, % Mr. Hanne,
that ne should have accompanied the
committee when the tests were made,
20 which the latter replied that he fear
ed his eyes might have been closed
up." that he might have been made
Ito believe the test was all right"
Mr.. Baird read again from his note
book. showing reports from the City
Building. the Atlantic, and the Seventh
and Eighth ward houses.
Mr.. Hahne-"Well. what is the cause
- , The condition of the SYSTEM"
y Chief Klievis-"There are several
causes. among them the defective wires
and the escapes. An escape in one
part of the city will affect the entire
system. AS 1 stated before, the sys-
TEN is getting unsafe, and should be
renewed. The wires should all be in
sulated The storms swing them
around and lace them together"
Hahne-'Why did you tell the Reg
lister reporter that the system was
working al right, when you knew 1t
wasn't?"
Klevis-"I don't know that l told the
Register reporter that"
MI Hahne was preparing to con-
tinue his crOss-examination, when he
was cut OFF by Chairman Mcclure and
one or two other members of the COM
mittee Mr. Mcclure observed that If
the system is wrong it should be re-
newed or repaired.
MIR. Klevis-'I don't want to be I'M
derstoOd as saying that the system
cannot be repaired. / have been put
ting the boxes into condition, and if
the wires are renewed the system will
again work all right"
Mr.. McLWe-"ThiS thing has been
going on for several weeks, and l am
afraid that YOU are undertaking more
than YOU can attend to- IL you need
an assistant you should have one"
Mr.. Klevis began another eXplana-
ton, and remarked that Mr.. Gartley
would bear him out in his statements.
Mr. Gartley said he had given infor-
nation which had not been appre-
ciated by the committee, and he de-
clined to have anything further to
say He added however, that any de-
feet in an electrical system will dis
arrange the entire system. 1t was also
stated that the only portion of the fire
alarm wires in the city which are in
sulated are on the Island. Bids for
new wire had been advertised for, but
Clerk Watkins had received but one
response.
After a further talk, the Chief prom
ised 20 put the system in first class or
der, provided he secured the necessary
wires and appliances. and there was a
disposition manifested on the part of
the members of the committee who
were present to give him all he asked
for. i'm order that the system may be
placed in order as soon as possible.