The record-union., 1898-08-09

| amount would ask for S0,UUU Tor the
purpose Of purchasing a chemical en-
gine and equipping the same. I would
respectfully ask your honorable body
to levy a tax sufficient to raise the
above amounts
| NOTABLE FIRES.
As notable fires during the past year
Chief Guthrie cites the following:
September l, 1S97-Stables and
dwelling, o and P, Fourth and Fifth
streets. Loss, S4,s69.25.
September 80, 1S97-Bergman Bros
pickle factory and F. S. Smiths stables,
Seventh and L streets. Loss, ST., ,2o6.39.
| April s, 1S9S-Southern Pacific Pat
tern storehouse, I street, between
Front and Second. Loss, S47, 900.
May 8, 1S9S-Metropoltan Theater
building K street, between Fourth and
Fifth, and malt and feed mill adjoin-
ing. Loss. $26.175.7O.
May II, 1SoS-Entrance to Orpheum
Theater, Hodson's photograph gallery
and japanese store, K street, between
Eighth and Ninth. Loss, S5,921.5O.
May II, 1S9S-Dwelling owned by c.
c. Brown, Twelfth and / streets. Loss,
$6,9S4.46.
July 5, 1S9S-Pioneer Box Factory
and w. r. knights hide house, Front
street, S and T. Loss. 500 103.77.
Total amount of insurance involved
in fires, S454, 1852; total loss on build
ings, S64, ,4SO.1O; total insurance paid on
buildings, S45, ,620.60; total loss on per-
sonal property, S1O6, SO. "a; total insur-
ance paid on personal property, S32,-
1 575.54
Chief Guthrie in his report makes the
/ following recommendations:
FIRE STATIONS.
I'm view of the many fires
that have occurred in the east
erly and northern portions of
| the city, I deem it absolutely neces-
sary that the city establish and equip
an additional fire station in that por-
ton of the city, for, as has been fully
| demonstrated, when an alarm of fire
is turned in, which requires the pres
ence of apparatus of No. 3 Station,
below Tenth street-which has occurred
on several occasions-the whole eastern
portion of the city, in case Of fire,
would be without protection and at the
mercy of the flames. This recommen-
dation I hope will receive your usual
prompt and earnest consideration.
HOSE.
Il would recommend the purchase
of 1000 feet of cotton rubber lined fire
hose.
! CHEMICAL ENGINE.
I'm past annual reports have recon-
mended the purchase of chemical en-
gine, urging as a reason therefor, by
adding this apparatus to our depart
ment it would be of great service and
benefit in the saving of property. Ex-
perience of years spent in fighting fires
has taught the best organized Fire De-
partments that it is not equipped COM
plete without the chemical engine.
Therefore I again call the attention of
your honorable body to the urgent ne
cessity of placing a chemical engine,
with the necessary equipments, in the
department, and that the truckhouse
on Sixth street, between K and l., be
remodeled so as to accommodate both
the hook and ladder truck and the
chemical engine. Hoping that you will
give this matter your earliest atten-
tion which it so justly deserves.
CISTERNS.
II would ain recommend the con-
struction Of cisterns at the following
places, as a necessity, viz: One on Sec
ond street, between K and L; one on
Tenth street, between 1 and j, and one
at Nineteenth and M streets. These
cisterns, built at the above-named
places, would be of great benefit in
case of an accident to the Water Works
or a break in the water mains at the
| time of the fire, and they would further
be of service in the testing Of our en-
gineS for you can obtain better results
in testing from cistern than from a
| hydrant
HOSE CART
owing to- the great amount of terri
tory required to be covered by hose
wagon No. in responding to the vari-
Gus alarms, / would recommend that
one of the relief carts be placed in
service, with headquarters at truck
house No. ?, ample room being made
for the accommodation of the appara-
| tus named.
OVERHEAD WIRES.
I'm past annual reports your atten-
ton was called to the fact that the
work of the department was seriously
obstructed and human life greatly en-
dangered by reason of overhead wires
During the past year the depart
ment has suffered continued annoyance
and inconvenience from this source,
and on many occasions the lives Of the
members have been placed in extreme
jeopardy.
THE network of wires prevents the
apparatus from getting near buildings;
destroys the effectiveness Of the
streams Of water, and hinders and pre-
vents the using of ladders.
THE measure at present pending be-
fore vn,,r. bnporo b1fa hodv looking 20
the burial of all overhead wires in the
business portion of the city. is of vital
Importance to this department as well
as to the public at large. and it is hoped
that 1t will be the subject Of early and