The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-20

Continuing the thirty-second annual
inspection of the Scranton Fire de-
partment Mayor Bailey, Chief Hickey
and the council fire committee yester-
day proceeded to North Scranton to
pay visit to the companies there.
The same gentlemen were in the party
as mentioned in Yesterdays report in
The Tribune. In addition were sew
eral guests, being Chief st. John, Rob
ert w. Williams. chairman of the fire
committee; ID. w. Jones, a member Of
the committee, and Charles Price,
president of the councils, all of Wilkes
Barre; and DR.. John Stterly, veterin-
airy surgeon, Of this city.
The same general ideas in reference
to an improved department were noted.
Especial attention was paid to the
main doors as to where they open out
ward or inward 1t was the positive
opinion of all that several seconds
were lost by an inward swinging door,
The only other feature Of the days
inspection were the record d-making run
of the Niagaras and Reliefs, who got
out in 13&i seconds. The conditions
governing were about the same as with
other runs for hose wagons.
Nu19DeGlanu nose company, NO. IL,
on West Market street, was first Wis
tied. This is the company famous for
the trouble between the Grier-K r-Kearney
factions At present the company is
located in a one-stOry shanty contain
ing the horse and cart. The city owns
only the apparatus. Permanent Man
Hopkins sleeps across the street. on
a first speed trial Permanent Man
James Hopkins got out in is seconds
and with another trial made it 161a
seconds. He was assisted by two men.
Ex-Councilman Grier did the honors
here.
excelsior HOUSE.
From here the party went to the Ex-
celsior Hose company No. s, on Oak
street. Some ordinary improvements
are wanted and the building needs eX-
tending. This can be accomplished by
adding ten feet to the front. Thus a
bunk room can be put in, something
they do not have at present Perma-
nent Man Michael May, with the as
sistance of one man, hitched and got
out in 1S seconds. The apparatus here
is a hose wagon with two horses.
The double fire house in which are
located the Niagaras, No. Z, and Lib
ertys, No. ., both hose companies, was
next visited. The first inspected was
the Niagaras. They want temporary
repairs in the form Of stall fiXings and
a supply room. Permanent Man Will
liam Eldridge, assisted by one man,
got out in l3& seconds. This is the
record. There is no better team of
horses in the service.
The party then went next door to the
Libertys. They want about the same
temporary repairs. On the test, Per-
manent Man Valentine Birtley, with
the assistance of another man, got out
in 20 seconds. The contrast of doors
was closely drawn here. The Niagara S
swing out, the Liberty's in. These
companies are located in a double
building on East Market street and,
like the Centurys, of South Scranton,
should have entirely new quarters.
The scene of operations was trans
ferred from North Scranton TO Green
Ridge, where the General Phinney En-
gine company, No. 4. is located on Dick
son avenue. This company want some
painting done and new runway from
the front put down; also an outside
light. Permanent Man George Bailey,
who has only been in the service a
month, having succeeded Horace AL
temus, hitched and got the hose cart
out in 2412 seconds. Permanent Man
John Lisk, assisted, took the steamer
out in II seconds. The run here is long
and the doors open inward.
THE LAST VISIT.
AS the final company of all, the Re-
lief Hose company, No. 3, on Ash street,
Petersburg, was inspected. Here the
city owns nothing but the apparatus
and team, yet everything is up-to-date.
Permanent Men Louis L. Farber and
Jacob Fries got out their apparatus in
13A seconds, thus equalling the record
set by the Niagaras.
Here the inspecting party and guests
became the guests of Councilman Ed
ward Wenzel and the Relief company
Supper was served at the Fairview
hotel. There was plenty of good
things, including refreshments and
cigars. Thus ended the thirty-second
annual inspection.
The mayor and chief are enthusias-
tically satisfied with the whole inspec-
tion and were unstinting in their praise
at every company quarters visited.
The out-of-town visitors were highly
pleased, Chief Hickey escorted them
about town for a time after returning