The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-21
AN EXPERT
VIII Inspect and Set Right the
Fire Alarm Apparatus.
WAS DECIDED ON AT MEETING
or a Committee OF Underwriters with
Part OF the Fire Major Rod.
gers MAkss a strong Request fOr Pro-
tsetlon OF Insurance Companies aud
Buslnsss Men In GsnsraI-EO oppO'i-
ton to tbs Request

Last night In Clerk Watkins office
city building, there was conference OF
a committee OF local underwriters VITA
a subcommittee on fire department, &c
discuss the ACCESSIBILITY OF securing an
expert to put the FIRE alarm system in
perfect condition. There were present
Messrs. ]. V. L. Rodgers, F. Riester and
w. r. Simpson, underwriters, and w
NJ. Baird, william Nesbitt and II. Cart
I've, of the fire committee The under
writer's request was granted, so far as
the committee was concerned, without
opposition.
Chairman Baird called the meeting tc
order, and after stating why they had
been called together, asked for express
sIons of opinion.
For the underwriters OF Wheeling
Major j, V. L. Rodgers stated that they
had no fault to find with, or no charges
against the efficiency OF the fire depart
ment. Their only complaint was against
the fire alarm apparatus, which was
manifestly out of order, The committee
he was a member of, represented both
home and foreign companies, and felt
1t their duty TO see that the system be
put in good shape. There are millions
of dollars Invested In insurance In this
city, and to protect the companies and
patrons a speedy betterment OF affairs
was desired.
Continuing. Major Rodgers instanced
the mix-up on the recent Island blaze
when he said, the department was al
sea owing TO the confusing alarms. For
tunately, the fires for several months
have been OF a small order; but thCfe
is not a minute to spare In reaching a
fire, and had blaze occurred at night
In the business district he was afraid
heavy losses would have resulted, ow-
ing to the alarm system. He instanced
notion houses which are especially In
flammable to show how dangerous q
fire might ensue before II could be
reached: and added that nearly all Of
the wholesale houses carried only
about fifty per cent of insurance. There
are many reasons. he said. why insur-
ance men want the system so that when
the alarm is rung all the houses will
respond, and all will get away for the
fire.
Incidentally. Major Rodgers said that
the Gamewell system. in use IN Wheel
ing, was the best In the country, but lie
didn't think the chief n electrician, hence
wanted an expert to do the work. He
understood that every chief received
$500 per annum to keep the system in
order. 1t had been run down, and now
the underwriters wanted Il repaired in
stead OF tinkered at.
Fidelius Rlester spoke In similar
strain, and argued for an expert on the
system.
Chairman Baird stated that the fire
committee had taken great interest in
repairing the system. He knew there
was new wires needed, and the commit
tee would buy some. To Mr.. Riester's
question, Mr.. Baird replied that the rea-
son for the capitol clock refusinn to
strike at times was a result Of there be-
ing the slow and swift boxes. The swift
boxes were the later addition. and there
was difficulty in adapting the capitol
striker to both kinds. Then Mr. RIester
put In some more ticks for an expert to
look over the system. He didn't think
II would cost much.
Mr.. NesbItt--"Tbere was an exner,
here tho other day. Chief KIIeves had
him here, ond no was SURPRISED 10 and
the system In such good shane. But he
aid wondnr how n worried nm rainy
DAYS
Major Rodrers-"Was tho nxnart tha
av-cbiar ~ tbo zonaqyIIIa denort monte
II en- he knows notbIrr of eiectricItv "
Mr. Nesbitt-"No I'm nrettv sure /,
vas n man from tbe GomewalI fac,
tory" later NJ NesbI,t wontod tbo
unSorvrItors 70 undore,ord ,b,t ,ho
,rn,,b,o ,rttb ,bo s,,s,en, nod boen groat
Ia, eYaggora,eJ nv tbose onnoseJ 70 tbo
cb,eS ' ''''' " ''''''' ''p0''1 ~ '"e
Roth Mr. R,cs,or aud Major Rodoor,
ore,vsrcd mot tbev Irew no,btng ~,
-. .......ttt. 4. IL ,ts - -