The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-03
CITY DEPARTMENTS REPLY.
Water and Fire Departments on the
Insurance Mems Threat.

An Atlanta dispatch in yesterdays
Morning News announcing that the exec
utive committee of the Southeastern Tariff
Association would, at its meeting to-day
take up the question of insurance rates
and water supply in Savannah, naturally
attracted considerable attention.
There was some surprise at the state
ment that one of the alleged reasons for
a raise In rates was poor management of
the water department. It is stated that
Atlanta pumps only 100000 gallons and
gives good fire pressure, while Savannah
pumps 100000 gallons daily and gives poor
fire pressure. The explanation given was
that Atlanta has water meters, while Sa-
vannah has abandoned their use.
Superintendent Lotion of the water de-
partment was indignant when his atten-
ton was called to the dispatch.
1T seems strange that this misinforma-
ton should have been given out" he said.
Atlanta pumps $4,000 gallons daily, and
not 2SO0,0O0 as stated. Atlanta has dis
continued the use of fire engines, and fur
nishes all her pressure from the works
ny 0OthniS lHe tLSlutS at very nigh PIES
sure, which we do not consider advisable
here. 1t is true that there is considerable
waste of water on premises, but we are
unable to remedy that without meters. We
have never failed to furnish all the water
needed. The Cathedral fire was no excep-
ton. With all the engines of the depart
ment pulling water from the big mains
on Bay street it was unrea sonab BILE to ex-
pect hose streams from the small mains
near the Cathedral. There was water
there, though, had there been engines to
use it,"
Chairman Dixon corroborated Superin-
tendent Lotions figures as to the pumpage
of the Atlanta wonks. There is no doubt
that meters have a great deal to do with
the smaller consumption there" he said.
Ihere Is doubtless great deal of water
wasted here that could he checked by the
use of meters. So far as the works and
the system are concerned, we have as
good as there is to be found anywhere in
this section of the country. The works
are new and in first-class condition The
mains are large, many of them are new
and the system is well connected. Our
works are on level with the city. while
those of Atlanta have some elevation from
the city. Consequently il is easier for
them to furnish high pressure than for
us. We have no pressure other than that
furnished by the engines from the works
II the city wants an unlimited supply of
water for fire. purposes it can get it by
locating works on the river and pumping
from there in case of fire."
Fire Chief Mcguire is at work On q
scheme by which he expects to considera.
bly, reduce the fire risk in the business sec.
ton, but he is, not ready to give out The
particulars yet.
The fire department is inefficient on ac.
count of political wranglings, Is it?" sale
| Chief Mcguire. There is a good deal Of
wrangling on the outside, but there is none
inside the fire department. All that We
ask Is to be let alone something which
the administration does not seem willine
| to grant US"
Insurance men and others, who were
| seen, did not seem much alarmed Al tht
! prospect of a raise in rates The tail
will hardly amount to much, it is said. Sa
| vannah is now paying 10 cents extra oil
the hundred for past record and the busd
ness will hardly stand any increase il