The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-22
REDUCTION OF
HYDRANT IS To
Be RESISTED
Fire Department Will
Be Crippled.

The Fire Commi ssioners and the fire I'M
derwriters are seriously alarmed over the
proposition of the Board of Supervisors
to reduce the number of hydrants in the
city to a considerable extent, and the mat
ter was discussed at a meeting OF the
Commissioners held yesterday morning.
The resolution of the Board of Super
visors directing the Commissioners to re-
duce the number of hydrants by 1886, or
as many more as possible, with the view
Of reducing the expenses of the depart
ment, was read.
A communication was also read from
William J. Dutton (chairman), Rudolph
Herold Jr, Charles de Haven, l. Cutie
and Rolla V. Watt, the committee on
fire ordinances, fire department and water
supply of the Board of Fire UnderWrit-
ers, which met on Saturday, as folloWs:
Referring to the recent resolution of the
Board of Supervisors Of the city and county
of San Francisco. requesting your honorable
board to dispense with 1896 hydrants now in
place in this city, and with greater number
II your board see their way to do So the
Committee Fire Department and Water
Supply of the Board of Fire Underwriters
view with alarm this proposal to seriously re-
duce the efficiency of the fire protection OF this
city and hamper the work Of our Fire De-
partment in case Of a large confiagratlon and
beg to urge upon your honorable board the
our citizens in this effort to make saving
IN city expenses when may De many eiii tt
absence OF the necessary protection.
This committee realizes, as we think that
your honorable board, with its long assocla-
ton with the means of protection against fire
which this city enjoys must also feel, that our
hydrant service ought to be materially In
creased rather than diminished, and we beg
to call the attention of your honorable board
to the fact that but recently the Board Of
Fire Underwriters has made a sweeping re-
duction in rates throughout the city. conf
dent in the expectation that the fire protection
OF the city would be increased and not dimin-
ished. This reduction in premiums viii result
in the saving TO citizens of many times
the amount which 1t is proposed to save in
expense by the abolition Of these hydrants
and in view Of the foregoing this committee
begs TO urge upon your honorable board the
Importance of continuing at least the protection
your way to recommend increase in same
which think you will agree with us is
greatly needed.
After discussing the matter the Com
mlssioners embodied their views in the
Following communication, which was sent
to the Board of Supervisors Immediately
after the meeting:
The Board OF Fire Commissioners Reg leave
TO acknowledge the receipt of your communi-
cation OF the 18th inst, containing a CODY
OF resolution No. 3311 fourth series) directing
the board Of Fire Commissioners TO report the
location of 1896 MIGRANTS that could be dis
pensed with, and many more as can be
spared etc.
In reply we desire to say that we are I'M
able to comply with the requirements of said
resolution, for the reason that we have no
knowledge OF any hydrants that can be re-
moved without seriously endangering property
In the vicinity from fire, and the CHEZ er-
gineer of of this department reports 10 this
board that all hydrants now set are abso-
lutely needed for the protection OF property
from fire. We beg to call your attention To
the fact that our city is built alnos; entirely,
of wood that we are isolated and M oute d.
assistance could be obtained from departments