The record-union., 1899-08-08

erty interests of the city should never
be entirely dependent upon any one sys-
tenn of waterworks for fire purposes, l
recommend the necessity of construct
ing system of cisterns at various
points in the city with capacity OF
not less than 10000 gallons each. and
fed by pipes with gate valves attached
directly from the street mains.
Hose-I would recommend the pur-
chase of 1.50O feet of cotton rubber
lined fire hose.
Horse and Buggy-As the Assistant
Chief has to- respond to all fires
throughout the city. I would recon-
mend that he be furnished with horse
and buggy, as it is very inconvenient
for him to respond promptly.
Ordinance-Inasmuch as there is no
provisions in the city charter providing
for the care of injured members OF the
department, and the only relief af-
forded it is a fund subscribed by the
individual members. or by obtaining
money by donations or benefits, I re-
spectfully recommend that an ordl-
nance be passed providing that in the
future all disabled members OF the
Fire Department shall receive full pay
for the first month after the injury, and
half pay thereafter until able to work,
and, if totally disabled, a pension OF
500 per month be paid, proportionately.
FIRE ALARMS.
Chief Guthrie indorses the recommen
dalton of the Superintendent of Fire
Alarms, which follows:
uyo,,1d oorpoctIu COLL UO,1r 9tfPn-
ton to the following: We have the
most dangerous and deadly fire alarm
system in existence (as ours is the open
circuit system, which is grounded at
all times) and should we get crossed
or in any way mixed up with the cleo
trio plants we will not only get badly
burned, but are liable to set our build
ings on fire, to say nothing of some
one getting killed or badly hurt in
turning in an alarm. While so many
heavy current wires are on our streets
we should change our system so as to
avoid all grounds.
There are nineteen old National
alarm boxes which have lived out their
time, and should be taken out of serv-
ice, as they are not reliable and will
not always give correct alarms.
Il would again earnestly request that
our fire alarm system be remodeled. At
present we can turn in an alarm from
all the boxes at one time, and they will
all respond. 1t frequently happens
that two or three boxes are pulled at
or near the same time for one fire, and
as a consequence there is confusion in
the camp, and the fire gets a good start
he he mr.
by the time they do the building is
nearly in ashes; whereas, if we had a
perfect alarm system, only one box
could be pulled at a time, and the fire
men would not get scattered all over
the city, but go direct to the scene of
the fire and save more property.
have been Investigating the different
alarm systems, and find the non-inter-
fering system the best, and would rec
Ommend that an appropriation be made
for the purpose of putting in one of
these improved alarm systems in our
city. The Central Office to have a ten
circuit outfit with all the necessary
instruments for testing and regulating
the circuits, and to have from seventy
five to eighty latest improved non-in-
terfering boxes. That will be sufficient
to give the resident portion of the city
plenty of boxes, so that a person seeing
a fire will be within two blocks of
box in any direction, and the center
or business portion from to L, Front
to Tenth or Twelfth streets, a box on
each alternate corner, which will give
US plenty of boxes to all parts of the
city, and, as the city gets larger, more
nd air re he or n1 witt
very little expense, as our Central Office
will be adequate for all in the near
future"
CASUALTIES.
Casualties reported by Chief Guthrie
We're as follows:
September 1. 1898, Herman Dormer,
hoseman of Engine No. 3, hand in
jured by hook at fire corner of Fifth
and L streets; off duty IA days.
Same time and place, Thomas Rowe,
hoseman of Engine No. 1, foot injured
by being run over with hose truck; off
duty seven weeks.
September II, 1893, James Woods,
hoseman Engine Company No. 2 hand
cut by glass, 1918 Front street; off
duty seven days.
October 81, 1898, James Kelly (citi-
zen), hand and arm severely burned at
1919 o street.
October 10, 1898, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. D. Gustin, aged 10 years, severely
burned about body, caused by over
turning oil lamp.
June p, 1899, John Mullenberg, pipe
man Of chemical engine, while stepping
from engine, received confusion Of left
foot. Off duty two days.
July 20. 1899, J. o. Sprague, Assist
ant Foreman Engine Company No. 2,
sprained ankle at fire corner Front and
@ streets. Still off duty.
FATALITIES.
September II, 1893. a Japanese in the
rear of No. 308 L street, burned while
escaping from building.
March 5. 1899. Myrtle Roberts, aged 5
years, an inmate of the Foundlings'
Home, ignited clothing while playing
with matches. Resulted fatally
April 8, 1899, Adolph Brodbeck, fire
at 1417 Front street, burned to death
in room of building.
June 10. 1899, Miss Mollie McCloud,
while cooking on stove at 9O3 E street.
had clothing catch fire, and died from