The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-29
FIRE GONG SYSTEM
TO BE ABOLISHED
Court House Bell 0nIy 10 Sound Central
City Alarms.
NO MORE DEAFENING WHISTLES
For a Time, at Least, the Gong sys-
tenn Is to BE Abolished--This Was
Decided at Meeting of the Fire
Engineers Last Night--PIans Pro-
posed for the Approaching Annual
Parade ofth Firemen.

The fire alarm gong system is to be
abolished in the central city fire dis
trict This conclusion was reached at
a meeting of Chief Hickey and the
board of engineers of the fire depart
ment. at a stated meeting in the city
hall last night.
The reason for the change lies in the
frequent complaint of the loud noise
Of the gongs. This noise is especially
disturbing on the Sabbath during
church hours. Then again, q great
crowd is attracted by the gong signal,
and this hampers the working force of
firemen.
1t was argued at last nights meet
ing that while the new method might
In some respects prove injudicious, a
trial would prove it's effectiveness or
disfavor There are thirty boxes III the
central city district, and it is intended
to eliminate the gong signal for first
call. If another company is required,
the special system comes into play. If
a hose company is required the irdi-
caor will record two taps, repeated
once, and followed py the hose com
pany's number. An engine company
being required, three taps, repeated
once, and the engine number will bring
that individual company. Three taps
will bring the hook and ladder truck
The rest remains as before. The police
patrol six taps ambulance, seven
taps; general alarm, five taps.
If a second alarm is required the old
system including the gongs comes into
play.
Communications were received from
the city clerk, Crystal Engine COM
pany and the Volunteer Firemens Mu-
tual Benefit association.
DATE OF THE PARADE.
The communication from the Fire
mems association and the Crystal en-
gine company pertained to the chang
ing of the date of the annual parade of
the firemen from September to October
g. The idea is to give the visiting
companies in attendance at the Fire
mems state convention in Wilkes.
Barre at that time, an opportunity tc
visit Scranton and witness this city's
annual parade and inspection. Many
companies have been invited to partici-
pate, and in all probability these COM
panies will accept the invitation. In
acting upon this request, the board
decided to meet again on Wednesday
August 4, and have a committee pres
ent from the Firemen's association tc
consider ways and means of dealing
with a large number of visitors upor
such an occasion.
The visitors, it was explained, would
expect some entertainment and this
means expense which must be provid.
ed for. Besides, there seems to be
some sentiment against postponement
among many firemen and others.
City Clerk M. It. Lavelle sent a sug.
gestion that each company elect Off.
GERS on or about the first Monday ir
April, thus allowing the incorporation
of valuable data in the clerks annua,
manual Of councils. The board adopt.
ed the suggestions and each company
and request to comply.
There remains an unexpended bal.
ance of money from the excursion OF
the department last year, it was re
ported. There is also a deficit in the
coffee fund" of the board, owing t
several recent heavy demands. The
board last evening decided to ask eaci
company to signify it's individual con
sent to the transfer of the unexpende(
balance to the "coffee fund" TIL,
companies thus reap a more immediat,
benefit than they otherwise could. Tht
treasurer, Fred Durr, is ready to max,
full report upon the amount acces
sible.