The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-19

The annual inspection of the Scran-
ton fire department was begun yester-
day afternoon. Ten companies were
visited, being those located in the CEN
trail city. west and South Scranton.
Mayor Bailey and Chief Hickey, ac-
companied by the members of the Sc
lect and common council fire commit
tees, did the inspecting, the procedure
being the same in each instance. Re-
ports were received from each fore
man. Attention was called to the de.
fects. etc, to be looked after, and
test was made of the speed in getting
away from the engine house. Two
companies, Chemicals and Crystals,
were tie for the best record of four
teen and one-half seconds, and the
longest time was thirty seconds, for
the Hook and Ladder company.
At 2 o'clock the inspecting party,
comprisir> Mayor Bailey, Chief
Hickey, lty Engineer ]. 7. Phillips,
Building Inspector John Nelson, chiefs
secretary, William TANNER, and the
members of the committees, select
council, Simon Thomas, chairman;
Thomas O'Boyle and John J. Mean
drew; common council Edward Wen
eel, chairman: Morris V. Morris,
Thomas Morton, D. II. Reese, Philip
Wirth and f. w. Zitzelman and rep
resentatives OF the press. left the city
hall and proceeded to the Crystal En-
gine company's quarters, on Linden
street, where the first inspection was
made.
STUFFY QUARTERS
Here the things most noted was the
close. stuffy, sleeping quarters of the
permanent men, many renoVations be-
ing needed. The advsability of ex-
tending the building toward the rear
was discussed. At present a small,
one-story structure, erected by the
city, serves the purpose. The chief re-
marked that the erection of this ex-
tension and a remodelling throughout
would place the company on an equal
footing with the best. The present
location was not to be improved upon
from which to answer an alarm in the
district.
The speed test was then made. Per-
manent Man c. E. Tropp, assisted by
two members of the company, got his
hose wagon out in fourteen and one
half seconds from the stroke of the bell
until the rear wheels passed the door.
Last years record was sixteen sec
onds. The team is the one brought
over from the Columbia's, in West
Scranton, few months ago.
This is an exceptionally fine record
considering that the team was the raw
est one ever broken into the service.
and Permanent Man Meyers, of the
Columbia, had a difficult job TO do It,
Permanent Man Isaac Tice took the
steamer out with the assistance Of
three men in twenty and one-half sec
onds. Chief Hickey and Councilman
Wenzel held stop watches.
The Nay Aug Engine company, on
Franklin avenue, was next visited
Here the question of extending and
widening the building, at least one
story, was brought up. The rear wall
is too close to the stalls and for the
engine and hose cart the space is rath-
er narrow. Also the finishing of the
interior of the third story. which is
now used as an assembly room, GYM
nasium, etc. While here the party
were entertained by a clever punching
bag exhibition by John Kelly, a mem
Der Of the company.
EXTENSION NEEDED.
1t is likely that the rear extension
will receive close attention by the COM
mittees, as complaints have been made
by persons residing near by of the
odors from the stall refuse, which is
put outside in waist cans. At the test
Permanent Men Harry Reed got his
hose cart out in twenty-five seconds
on first trial and seventeen and one-
fourth on second trial. Permanent
Men Eugene Meyer took the steamer
out in tWenty-seVen seconds. The run
is long here, and two men assisted
in each case. Some difficulty was ex-
perienced with the steamer horses,
owing 10 the unaCcustomed presence
or so many persons in the room.
From here the party went to the
Hook and Ladder Truck company's
quarters, on West Lackawanna ave-
nue.. Ordinary repairs, especially in
the case of the stall doors was all that
was necessary here. Permanent Men
Thomas Conlin and Adam Steinhauser
hitched in eighteen seconds, and on a
second trial left the building in thirty
seconds. This was considered good. as
the team has been out of service for
over week, owing to one of the
horses being sick.
Franklin Engine company, No. /. on
North Hvde Park avenue, was next
visited. Here also the sanitary ar.
rangements were brought up for dis.
cussion. 1t seems that Morgan Bowen
who owns a piece Of land 5Ox2S in the
rear, is anxious to sell and has made
a reasonable offer. Should this be pro-
cured CT
tended, many present troubles would