Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-12
The FIRE Department.
A Long Session Of the Committee,
Last Night.
The Department Needs Four New.
Horses, New Chemical Hose, Re-
pairs to Houses, New Gum Coats
for the Men. and Some Other
Things,

The Council Committee on Fire Depart
ment held long and important meeting
at the City Hail. last evening. The gem
eral status of the department was dis
cussed, and action looking to it's improve
ment was taken in a number of in
stances. AS preliminary, bills aggre-
eating 1857 % were ordered paid.
Chief klieves called the attention of the
Committee to the urgent need of new
hose Tor the two chemical engines, and
also Tor the nine Babcock extinguishers
IN the department. The hose used by the
Eleventh street chemical company is in
particularly bad shape, and may give out
at any time in an emergency. This hose
is one inch in diameter. The Island COM
pany's hose is in a little better condition,
but is going fast. 1t is but three-quar
tiers of an inch in diameter. About six
hundred feet will be required, three hum
dred for each engine, and it will cost SOC
per foot The Clerk was instructed to
procure bids. The Chief was ordered to
buy forty feet of small nose for the Bah
cocks. This hose can be gotten hsre in
the city. The hose on some of the small
extinguishers is now so short they are
discussion on this matter the Chief said
that the tendency OF city departments
was to do away with hose reels Altogether
and buy combination huse wagons and
chemical engines like the Island. and that
Philadelphia had lately ordered thirty
two such outfits, ana later still had
given supplemental order for nine more.
This policy might be pursued here with
advantage.
The Chief was instructed to report upon
the number OF gum coats needed in the
department.
The bids were opened for a new roof
for the Atlantic. They varied from $50 so
to SAL so for a shingle roof. The Clerk
was instructed to write for a proposition
for a. patent roof, which will probably
cost about $780,
The Chief was instructed TO purchase
the smoke protectors ordered some
months ago, but only two of which were
ever procured. The question of buying
four new horses was referred to the
horse committee" for action. The de-
partment has $40 to it's credit for new
horses, having expended $3.50 in that
direction this year Four of the horses
have seen their best days, and it is de-
slrable to secure new ones before the old
nags go completely off their. feet. The
question of some small purchases for the
Vigilant was referred to the Chief, Cart
ley and Otto. sSle contract for papering
at the Vigilant was let to Mr.. Silvey, at
$26.
1t was announced that the Eighth ward
building, upon which extensive repairs
ha hnnn 40
years, was in bad shape the walls bule-
ing decidedly, and that they We're draw
ing away from the front. The same an
nouncement was made regarding the
Eleventh street house. The hook and
ladder house has been reported in this
shape for years, at various times. but
now has a new front The fact of the
matter is, the engine houses are all built
too small and too light as regards walls
and general construction, and as a result
eternally demand repairs and are always
out of repair.
The question of fire escapes on certain
buildings was talked over for a long
times and the Chief was directed to
submit list of buildings which should
have such escapes, for the action of the
Committee.
incidentally, during the discussion. It
was announced that fire underwriters OF
the city were considering the matter of
demanding the purchase of an aerial
truck, for use at fires on high buildings.
Such truck would probably cost s4O
ana there is not a house in the city in
which it could be kept, in the opinion of
some of the members of Council.
A number of OF her de ma rtn1en+ ,,,o++ora
including small repairs and articles of
comfort Tor the men at the various
houses, were talked over, and appropriate
action taken. The session was prolonged
until about ten o'clock.