New-York tribune., 1899-02-09
SALT WATER FOR USE AT FIRES.

COMMISSIONER DALroN's REPORT-PUBL1c HEAR
ING BEFORE ALDERMANIC COMMITTEE.
Commissioner Dalton. Of the Department OF
Water Supply. sent report to the Mayor yester-
day on the proposed Of salt water for the pur-
poses Of extingushinE fires and for other uses The
report says
The benefits TO he derived from this project for
utilizing the inexhaustible supply or SAY er 49,
cal ana industrial quarters OF the city FOR eXtn-
gushing fires are go manifest and no important
and ire project at first glance appears so easy or
execution that fl must AZ once command favor
able disposition the part or tne munl'iPaI , su-
thorites 10 whom II ia submitted for consideration
This favorable disposition does not preclude tho nc
cessity Of careful consideration OF every teatuIe'
esro9 no degre ~ 6'sca any intent whatever
TO antagonze the project or put obstacles or o'h-
FirstETo OBTAIN the greatest efficiency any
efficiency Of operation. permanent bertns Al alI
assigned bv the Department OF Docks and Ferries
At piers which are the termini OF the streets on
which the fire mains are 10 be lad ana wnere tnS ne
apparatus Of the boats can quickly be connected
second-The mains and hydrants must he capa-
he of withstanding a pressure of 2n pounds per
square inch which considerably exceeds the capa-
Sy of ef man Pns Estem ana e avy IRON pipes
would have to he used and specai M nyGIah,tf d
Third-Space must be found under the street
pavement for placing the .In,,, mains ana Migrants
where they shall be readily accessible
Mt. Dalton also says lue COSt VI idFHiS fhVTV
mains would be s25 600 mile. He advises the CO.
operation Of the Department II the system Is
adopted
The AldcTmanc Committee on Public Buildings
gave public hearing yesterday afternoon on the
resolution providing for the use OF salt water by sep
arate pipes for the purpose Of extingulshing fires
and flushing sewers and streets. 1t was stated at
the last hearing that the Board Of Fire Under
writers were opposed TO the plan as the salt water
would destroy goods A committee from the Fire
Underwriters Association appeared before the Al
dermanic committee to-day. however and favored
the scheme.
The committee composed or f. G Moore
nrosident Of tho Continental Fire Insurance Com
many: lg + Beddell. Of the Royal Fire insurance
COMPANY: NJ s briggs. president or NlllarlsnuIs
old Herrck. Of the Niagara Insurance company
Z c Moore in addressing the coHmlttec halu
that if mains laid through the lrlhCipdi
streets salt water could be forced from the river
front by means Of frebOats that would nave many
times tho pressure Of the best fire engines. SAT-
water he said was not destructive 10 foods On
the contrary 10 more cfncaclouS lhdl Htsh
water IN extinguishing fires, and II inc uhderwIlt-
ers could they would put salt in the wafer no"
used al fires -. -, 49,
lie added that from n sanitary point of view the
use ~ salt water was desirable for the flushing
Of streets IN hot weather and that II was Dettcr
adaptcd than fresh water for flushing sewers, De-
cause Of its antiseptic qualities.
Mr. Moore commented on inc needs OF ~
tenn that would give 10 the city immediate relleI
from the scarcity Of water from which II would
suffe- in case Of dry season lie esilna,ed tnat
500 o0n would protect the lower part OF the city
George A. Stanton. eX-Congressman John HaIdy
and William J. Tanning counsel Tor the Hotel AS
ISOLATION, spoke in opposition 10 the plan