Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-09
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

To the Editor of the Register
Slr:-Concerning the subject matter
contained in your report in to-dayS
issue, relative to the service to, be de-
rived from, the cost Of and the use
of compressed air as a motive power
with relation 20 chemical engines, as
discussed at the meeting OF the Cou'l-
ell committee on fire at its meeting last
night, and the expressions OF the chief
as therein repeated, we ask the room
due us to set Alright a subject which we
were not permitted to participate in
the discussion of which not only effects
us but the general public, which ap-
preciateS a full discussion of matters
pertaining to its interest, and admires
above all other species OF human de-
pertinent. "a fair field and no favor !"
The Racine Fire Engine Co., Linn
tied, those interested at the meeting
referred to. and the general public, to
some extent, are aware that the dis
cussion, as reported, had exclusive
reference to this company's system
of using compressed air as a motive
power, because none other was before
The committee and all the force which
goes with the objections of the chief,
as relating thereto applies to it eX-
clusively, and the reading thereof
sounds queerly as eminating from the
mind Of a good fire chief and at the
same time good mechanic as we'll as
a mind up to date in the advances
which are made in his age as above
all other Cges of the worlds history.
All know that compressed air as a
motive power is, with electricity, the
power not only of the day, but Of the
future as far as human inquiry has
progressed. No better subject of the
application of the former can be cited
than the Westinghouse air brake; the
air motive power for street cars; its
application in several capacities in
the most trying of positions in the
manipulation of the war vessels OF all
nations, relating to the safe, sure and
certain landings of machinery deadly
and powerful appliances on board
such vessels. including the propulsion
and guiding the largest, deadliest and
latest projectile for marine warfare
yet devised; its infusion for motive
power into all kinds OF portable cvlin-
ders for use at fountains and other
like power-using appliances where the
creation of such power, for want of
room and appliances for furnishing
it, necessitates it being bought away
and its frequently long transportation
and await use. 1t is fact well known
that cylinders of compressed air are
being shipped all over the country con-
stantly without eliciting more atten-
ton on the part of carriers and the
people coming in contact with them
than that many gas well appendages.
Yet those cylinders are chager with
compressed air to as high a point as
700 pounds to the square inch and no
doubt often higher, for the writer
speaks only of that which he has seen.
Cylinders thus charged lay often in
any old place, out OF the way awaiting
use for months and years. Having
gone through lone transportation, and
subject to all kinds of climatic con
ditions, damp cellars over-heated
rooms, they come out as highly charg-
ed as the day possibly months or
years past on which they were charged,
Air is not capable of explosion in
the sense that steam or acid made
chemical liquid is At the most dan
gerons point which may be strained.
and that only by wilfully over charg-
ing it. the tank or the hose in connec-
ton with fire apparatus can be made
to leak.
The power is regulated by indicators
the capacity of tank is known, and
in the case in point, a. fire engine. or
indeed any other like engine. the com
pressed air principle applies to a rea-
soning, mind as perfect in the explosive
,.fio 1or with tho nni1tc ni-
ted above. the power which goes into
an engine at the hand of its engineer
cannot become greater as in the acid
soda system and the steam system,
which if not carefully watched and re-
lieved must explode. Once an engine
has its charge of air infused through
the pump which goes with each en-
CINE that one charge will maintain It's
own in that tank practically as far as
known forever and attend a thousand
and more fires without loosing an
iota of its force.
These facts are so well known and
so susceptible OF proof, as well as
other points in that line. that it is
the height Of absurdity TO juggle with
the minds OF men in a useless effort
10 convince them that a fire engine
carrying 40 TO 60 pounds OF air. com
pressed by the further charging OF
the tank with the chemical solution
to go or $50 pounds pressure, az steam
Is rated. viii moi carry thus ~ fire
As 10 the breakage to which he re-
ters. there is nothing to break more
than on any other like engine as there
is on the engine that the writer is de-
Tending. not half the complication OF
parts as on the kind which uses acids
and soda for force and liquid
lis different parts are made inferior
| TO none. indeed. better than most, be-