The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-03
FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED.
THE FIRE COMMITTEE MADE THE
ROUNDS OF THE ENGINE HOUSES.

Chairman GraSson of the Fire COM
mission and Chief Mcguire ACCOM-
panied the COmmittee-The Appn-
ratus Found in Good Condition
with the Exception of Engine No.
5-Chairmnn Hull viii Make a Re
port Of the Inspection to Council,
and VIII Recommend the Establish
ment of Hose Reel Companies South
of Anderson street and in Roberts
willie.
The fire committee OF council made an
inspection of the fire department yester-
day. visiting all the engine houses. The
committee, consisting of Alderman r. NJ.
Hull, chairman, and Aldermen w. F. Reid
and T. f. O'DonneH made the rounds,
accompanied by Chairman w. L. Gray
son of the fire commission, and Fire Chief
Mcguire.
The inspection lasted from O'Clock I'M
I'll dark. Alderman Hull was seen at
his office after the inspection. He said
that he would make full report to coun-
Gil at the next regular meeting of the
board. He will include in his report sew
eral recommendations for the improve
ment of the service in the way of addi-
tons to the apparatus of the department
and changes in its distribution.
lone of these recommendations" said
Mr.. Hull "win be the placing of some
of the reserve apparatus in the shape of
a hose reel at some convenient location
south of Anderson street My idea is that
there should be a volunteer company there
with one paid man in charge, something on
the order of Hose Company No on Valid
burg street. A hose company would be a
valuable protection to the property south
Of Anderson street. There are a number of
valuable houses there now and
the people in that section
are entitled to additional pro-
lection. 1t takes too long for the fire de-
partment to reach fires in that section.
The hose company could cut across the
commons and in this way arrive on the
scene of a fire some time ahead of the
engines from Henry and Barnard streets
That section is fairly well supplied with
water now and the supply viii be increased
shortly. / think hose company would be
a very valuable adjunct to the fire de-
partment there, and it could be operated in
the manner / have suggested at COM
paratively little cost. Later, / intend to
urge the placing of a combination nose
and chemical wagon in that section We
This is a large frame district, which is
practically without fire protection. A con-
fiagration once begun there might sweep
away scores of houses. A reel company
right on the ground might be the means
of arresting such a confagration.
think a combination hose and chemical
wagon should be placed in RobertsVille
also. One of these wagons has been nr-
dered by the commission for the new en-
CINE house of No. 2. This is about all the
expenditure which the fire budget viii
warrant this year, as large payment
must be made on the lyman property"
I'm what condition did you find the ap-
paratus of the Department."
THE apparatus is all in good condition."
Alderman Hun replied, with the eXcep-
ton of No. engine. This is a very old
engine, having been built in 1866, and
may have to be replaced with a new
engine This cannot be done this year
without an extra appropriation from coun-
Gil. however. The change is one that will
have TO be made in the early future,
however. The old engine will, of course,
be placed in reserve when this is done
for use in case of an emergency
Alderman Hull and Chairman Grayson
OF the fire commission are working to-
gether IN perfect harmony, and there is
every indication that they will continue
to do so. Having been in the insurance
business here for several years and been
a close observer of the fire department
during that time, Mr.. Hull naturally takes
a great deal Of interest in the depart
ment. He is a thorough believer in the
idea that the department should be re-
moved from politics. Alderman Reid the
second member of the committee, has also
taken a deep interest in the fire depart
ment for years. and is thoroughly we'll
posted on the subject. Alderman O'Don-
nelrs experience as a practical machinist
is also of value to the board, The three
together make up a strong committee.