The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-01
Tolal ynluo o. prorerty used BIZ

'''h' NHiNt W flhI'l ~ hHN' ny
the departmcnt..,,s IS, .... SNi SCI ~
An effect OF the work OF the fire depart
mont In the past two years rs marked by
the reduction of rates OF Insurance through
which sum greater than the expenses OF
the entire department has been saved To
people who pay insurance, and In no city
in Texas are there better rates where |
things ARE considered. than obtained here
now We have a rating as first class. aad
confidently expect at no distant day t.
see this cut to still greater extent OF n
record OF light Are losses which am proud
10 feel has not been surpassed in the
State.
In this connection desire to direct at
tcution to the figures in the tabulated
statement, which gives a record OF in
condlary fires and fires from unkaown
causes, for the reason that In many cases
insurance companies are not so strict as
hold they should be In keeping the
amounts of policies within the limits OF
satc insurance. Nothing, in my view, con
tributes more towards fires than over
insurance. and by avoiding this the insur-
ance people could aid in lowering The
record of fires, and consequently OF fire
| losses
The year has been marked at every fire
| by m abundant and effective water supply
ana IN many places new and impcov, 4
hydfants-all with steamer connections =.
| have replaced those so long in use An
the efforts Of the IRE department have bcen
seconded admirably by the water work;
company, and this cooperation has had
| an effect which Ia highly appreciated nv
| every member Of the department.
" no less potent agency for good is The
"iepnuhe system. from which we have re-
celVea greatly appreciated aid, not only
| IN me transmlttal of alarms. INT liKewise
] In tho Tho -. M.
Systom ana in the uso OF the poles of the
telephone company, The latter item Ia one
OF much consequence, ms the cost of sottinp
pores ana much caro- Of the wires Is thus
avoided The manager. the lmemcn and
| .i'e OPERATORS are deserving OF thanks for
we many Important fsyors they have rem.
During the past summer the old grYvtt,
battery system nf fire alarm was supplanteG
| ny the new storage hattcry--the first of
| 'hS Glass erected ~ the Southland us
Working has been perfect
Sreht saving OF expense was effected
py me change, rs onr automatic system
l,.puWoS ana receives no care other than
! 'hR necessary TO keep II clean 20 that IL.
wofWng may not be impaired Tho savint
OF expense viii nay all the expenses NJ IN,
change in two years time
during the past wear No station WA,
reinodclod and placed In first class c6ndi-
,"h' 'FnueTrg the department almost per.
| FEET IN It's accommodations for mon bnrse
ana apparatus. An imperatively lemnnae,
addition to the department exists. however
NJ the comparatively unprotected portion o
me GUY 10 the southwest should IN pro.
ivided with a combination hose carriage
hook and ladder truck ana chemical appar
atuH, az course this would necessltatc IN,
| purchase OF suitable lot and the erection
loi building. but tho protection nnorde,
n large territory rapidly growing In flnan
ciai importnnce would, In my opinion NOV,
than oounfer-halance the necessary cypen
iNnre | hope TO see your honorable bod,
give TINS matter immediate and favorabl,
mnsiuerahon. as under existing condition
the danger to property in the section name.
~ greatly increased BY reason oi the dis
tance any apparatus has TO run 10 reach IL
u source Of danger TO the men and horse
OF the department. to say nothing of tht
POSSIBLE injury TO apparatus, exists Ia IN,
many drays, wagons and other obstrurtlons
such as old building material, etc. -whicl
are allowed to remain on the streets, abou
niaeksmith shops. stables and other places
mo utmost caro- does not suffice al nj
times 10 avoid these dangers and | onrn
cstiy request that the council viii tas,
some eneotiye steps to remedy and remoy,
tho evil
The necessity OF better considered nm,
hore enectise ana stringent regulations /,
| " Wv 'thriIuNtlun OF hullutncs
not only within the fire limits bur through
OUT tho city, becomes more apparent a
no olty Is enlarged In size. ana as IN
territory Is more fully occupied by build
Jugs Of all characters. The hre-proof roof
ing ordinance adopted by the council wa
step in the right direction and has bee
the means of placing beyond danger man
heretofore dangerous structures. bur MI
further legislation In the same direction /
necessary. including inspections of plans
inspection OF electric lighting and sue
other supervisions us would insure m
erection OF such buildings as would hes
enable the fire department to AFFORD great
, est projection IN case OF need, Other elite
! have recognized the necessity for such rag
ulations, aud the time Is now upon us whs
, We should heed the demand.
: No chief OF amy lire department is NOR
/. happily situated than am | In the eve
evident and always appreciated and thanl,
fully received cooperation and assistanr
' OF me city officials My thanks are du
and are hereby rendered TO the mayor mn
J aldermen for things almost too innunler