The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-04

A letter has been received by Moore
& Foster. insurance agents of this city,
from the Royal insurance company.
of Liverpool, England. which they
represent. The letter Is as follows:
Messrs. Moore & Foster. Scranton, Pa.
Dear Sirs: We are this morning in
receipt, through the National Board OF
Fire Underwriters, of Inspector John
sons report of the condition of the fire
department in your city. and we are
frank to say that we are astonished to
learn the real situation, which is, to
put it lightly, deplorabe. Mr.. Johnson
reports the discipline and moral of the
deuartment at the lowest ebb the fire
engines third-Class and in poor COndi-
ton; one, the Franklin, unserviceable
and a lack Of discipline among the vari-
Gus companies which borders closely to
decentralization.
We enclose you copy of a summary
Of recommendation made by Inspec-
tor JohnsOn,and shall feel much obliged
If you will take it up with the author
tiles Of your city, and use your utmost
efforts to have them carried out. If
the present condition of things con-
tnues it will involve a material in
crease in rates in your city
Yours very truly,
John Tcnney.
Inspector JOhnson's summary Of rec
concentrations for the Scranton depart
ment is as follows;
THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
First-That the present force of vol
unteer fremen be dispensed with, and
a fully paid and partly paid call sys-
tenn be established at each of the pres
ent and future company stations.
SeCOnd-Organizati Permanently
fully paid force: chief engineer to have
absolute control of the department.;
one assistant engineer, also to act as
fire marshal: one engineer for each
steam fire engine; one stoker for each
steam fire engine; one driver for each
team i'm the department; one tillerman
for each hook and ladder truck appar-
atus; three hOsemen for each steam
fire engine company; two hoSemen for
each chemical engine company; two
hOsemen for each hose company. At
least ten partly paid call firemen to
each steam fire engine, hook and lad
der truck and hose company. The men
to reside near their respective stations
Thrd-Each steam fire engine and
Independent hose company should have
! 200 feet Of tirSt-ClaSS fire hose at their
stations, so as to secure change of
hose after each fire: an economical re-
quremcnt, and full line of suitable
hose for each chemical fire engine.
Fourth-TIose-d drying towers and hose
cleaning apparatus; one to be erected
at each of the following locations: At
Nay Aug fire station. for hose i'm busi-
ness section; at one of the Providence,
Hyde Park, east and south side sta
tiOns.
Fifth-An additional hook and lad
der company should be provided for re-
liable protection and life saving pur-
poses, suitably located in the mercan-
tile section. There is too much terri
| tory to cover twenty-five square miles,
! by the one truck now in service.
SiXth-The present steam fire engines
| at the Nay Aug and Crystal fire sta
| tiOns should be replaced by more pow
erful engines for use in the mercantile
| section; the present engines could be
| transferred to other districts or re-
| tanned for emergency service.
Seventh-A lightly built steamer and
| a hook and ladder truck should be To-
| Gated at the north end, or Providence
| section, for emergency use.
| Eighth-The city should own ant
| operate its own firealarm telegraph
| system. which would make this brancf
| of service more reliable. The system Is
owned by the Gamewell Fire Alarm
! Telegraph company and operated by
| the central lelepnOne eNCndnEe,
Ninth-Fire hydrants should be 10
Gated at corners of all intersectins
| streets i'm the business section.
Tenth--With a fully paid department
| secured the chief should institute {
| weekly system of inspection of the i'm
| portant mercantile buildings, and this
| inspection should be continued unit
| every fireman is familiar with all open
| ings in the Prevails. all means Of ac
cess to each building, and the genera
| conditions as to the construction o
each building
Eleventh-All defective apparatus
should be repaired and placed in gooC
| condition.