The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-13
HAVE FEWER FIRES
1T is EXPECTED WHEN THE ORDI-
NANCE FOR ELECTRIC WIRE
INSPECTOR PASSES.
SOME OF ITS PROVISIONS.
PLACING OF TELEPHONE. TELE-
GRAPH OR ELECTRIC LIGHT
WIRES TO BE REGULATED
UNDER AN EXPERTS DIRECTION.
Board of Fire commissioners to APP
Point tlsc Man-WiH Hold Office
at Their Pleasure.

The ordinance passed by the assembly
Thursday night, making the chief Of
the fire department the electrical in
spector OF the CITY, is one which has
long been favored by the board of fire
commissioners and the members Of
the council The only hitch about the
measure has been in determining I'M
der which branch of the city govern
ment the work should be done. In or
der to properly enforce the ordinance,
1t was necessary that there should
be an inspector and one assistant. 1t
was at first considered the proper thing
to have the building inspector take
charge of the work. This it was pointed
out, would give the building inspector
chance to put in another man and
he might select q Democrat. After
deal Of di sous sion, TIE present ordinance
was drawn making Chief Jackson ex-
offcio, the inspector and placing the
appointment of the assistant in the
hands Of the board of fire commission
ers. The ordinance passed the assem-
bly, under a suspension Of the rules,
and will come before the board Of alder
men at their meeting Tuesday night
The ordinance makes the assistant in
spector a member of the fire depart
nlent, places his appointment and
length of service at the pleasure Of the
beard and also allows the board to
fix his compensation. 1t also provides
that the assistant shall be a practical
electrician. The inspector and his as
sistant are to regulate and determine
tho nl9Pinor Of to1onhOna fn1aOI~a nh
electric light and power wires in and
on all buildings, streets, alleys, public
and private places within the city
limits, in such a way as to prevent
fires, accidents or injury, to persons or
property. All electrical appliances are
to be constructed and guarded SO 'es
not to cause fires or accidents, and all
wires and appliances which are defec-
tive are to be removed when so ordered
by the inspector or his assistant. The
right to at any time enter any building,
manhole or subway, in the discharge
of their duty is given to the inspector
and his assistant. They are also given
the power and authority to remove
wires and turn off all currents when
the same shall interfere with the work
of the fire department.
No alterations or changes shall be
made in wiring any buildings nor shall
any building be wired for electric
lighting, motors or heating devices
without first securing from the in
spector permit. No change shall be
made in any electrical plant after in
spection without notifying the inspect
or and receiving a permit Plans and
specifications for the wiring Of any
buildings are to be submitted to the
inspector, and no permit shall be is
sued for the work unless the wiring
is done under the rules and regulations
adopted by the inspector. Rules and
regulations are to be adopted and pro
mulgated by the inspector as soon as
the ordinance is passed, copies Of which
shall be on file with the fire depart
ment and the city clerk. All materials,
work and wiring done under the ordin-
ance shall be in conformity with GER
tain pamphlet known as the National
Code of Rules now on file at the office
of the city clerk. The willful viola
ton Of the provisions Of the ordin-
ance is punishable by a fine of not
less than SIS nor more than $685. or by
imprisonment for not less than ten
nor more than thirty days.