The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-29
HE WANTS TWO INSPECTORS.
Mcguire Says Savannah Needs EIec-
tricaI and Building Inspector

There are a good many uuinsulated cleo
tric wires in Savannah which the fire com
mittee of Council may soon try to have
removed, owing to their Interference with
The FIRE alarm system. 1t is imposs. bic TO
tell how many dead wires are strung, but
from the frequent mishaps TO fire alarm
wires and the loose wires in the lanes
there are no doubt a large number that
should be got rid of.
Superintendent Mcguire Of the fire de-
partment has for long lime been intend
ing to bring 10 the attention of Council
the necessity for Great g the offices of
electrical inspector and inspector of build
inss He thinks the two offices could be
easily combined, and the duties of both
performed by the same person. The policy
of the city up 10 this tine 10 retrench eX-
penses does not make il advisable to ask
Council 10 create either of these offices at
present There will be considera bic ex-
pense attached to the removal of wires,
and as a man viii have to be engaged to
superintend this work il it is to be done
properly, the supel intenCent thinks Coun-
Gil would seriously consider the creation
of the offices.
The need for an electrical inspector has
been felt for long time, said Supt. Ma
work steadily going on in Savannah should
be under the supervision of a skilled work
man, able to direct the proper installation
of wires. Other cities have these officers.
They promote good feeling between the
cities and the electrical companies by
avoiding clashes which might occur were
electrical work not properly installed.
The trouble in Savannah from improper
installations has never amounted to any
thing serious but there is no telling when
II Will do So 1t seems to me the sooner
something Is done in this direction the bet
ter it will be for all concerned.
so great has been the need for a build
ing inspector that we have been detailing
members of the fire department. to do the
work. Every year a fireman is given a
certain territory TO inspect. He is expect
ed to see that there Is no faulty con-
struction in buildings, that trash and
other combusuble materials are cleaned
out, and no carelessness is allowed to con-
tinue which would eudanger the safety
Of the property. While these men are not
altogether capacitated for the work, it IS
the best we can do under the circum-
stances. 1t is far better than having no
inspection at all. An experienced man,
who can give constant attention to this
work, Is what Is needed"
Supt. Mcguire said he intends at an
early day to bring the necessity for these
officers 10 the attention of Council. but he
will not do so before Alderman Haas re-
turns He intends to talk the matter
over with the chairman of the fire com
mittee as soon as he returns from the
North, and if it is thought there is any
chance of putting an ordinance through
IL will be introduced at an early day.
only a few nights ago there was am
pie evidence of the need of the removal
of dead wires" said Supt. Mcguire II
was called out at o'clock in the morn
Ing in response to an alarm caused by
the crossing of wires with the fire alarm
system. The trouble was near the corner
OF Huntington and Drayton streets
When other live wires cross those of the
fire alarm system the latter are burned
in two, which results in cutting off the
entire circuit the severed wires control
Every time these wires are cut one
eighth of the city is shut off, as the city
Is divided into eight circuits connected by
them. When this trouble occurs it takes
considerable time to remedy it, not only
in the work, but in locating it, The near
approach of the storm season makes IL
the more important for the city 70 pro-
vide for this service"