The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-14
nOy'T SHOW SPARKS NOW.
erpr NtAGUIRE SAYS STEAM YES
srIs HAVE SPARK ARREsTERs.

rbo superintendent's Close Inspec-
lions satisfies Him That All
snake stacks Have ArreSters At
.acbed-Present Conditions Prompt
Kim to Predict Smaller Fire Loss
This Year Than at Any Time Pre-
,tous-Semi-AnnuRI Inspection OF
uercantiIe Buildings Now in Pro-
Gress.
There are probably few ordinances more
,fgiilv enforced than that relating to
sn.rk arresters on steam vessels and sta
1onarv engines along the river front.
Very little was heard of the ordinance
a}--- its passage by the former Council,
and many had concluded it was going I'M
ro,iced. It seems Superintendent Mcguire
was on still hunt for violators, however,
and his vigilant efforts in this direction
accounts for the uniform manner in which
the ordinance is being observed.
An examination of smoke-stacks from
the Central Railroad TO the Gordon
Uharves would probably not show single
instance where the, arresters are not at
tached as the ordinance requires. Tugs,
steamboats,, steamships, dredging appara-
tus and all stationary engines have the net
wire arrester over their stacks to prevent
the scattering of stray sparks. The pro-
visions of the ordinance are so broad that
none can escape. The intention was to
thoroughly test the efficiency of the arrest
ers. which it is expected win bring about
marked diminution in the number of
fires.
Am I enforcing the ordnance" asked
Supt. Mcguire. well, just name some
body who is not complying with it and
see how quick 1 win go after them. The
absolute mpartiality with which the law
is being enforced is producing good re-
suits, or, at least, L am inclined to think
so from the small number of fires on the
river front. The fact Is, there have been
few fires along the wharves since the
ordinance went into effect, and 1 believe
the near future will tell whether fires
heretofore have been caused from sparks.
Should there be few fires in the next two
or three months, the conclusion will be
that sparks have been responsible for
much of the damage property owners
have suffered.
For several months I fought for the
spark ordinance, believing this precaution
should be tried" said Supt. Mcguire. 1.-The
owners of river craft complained that
arresters would interfere with the draft
through stacks, and that their use meant
a serious drawback to the running of all
steam vessels. I felt satisfied such would
not be the case, however and did all in
my power to get the ordinance passed.
Since this has been done l shall do my
duty in seeing that 1t is properly enforced,
aud that all owners of vessels attach the
arresters. The efficacy of this reform de-
ponds upon the strict enforcement of the
law, as it would be useless for one boat
TO be equipped, while the one next to it
shoots sparks in all directions"
With the protection now afforded on the
river front against fires it would not be
surprising If property owners asked a re-
ducton in the insurance rate. Besides
the precaution taken in the use of spark
arresters, the government steamer Tybee
is fitted out for fire fighting. The steam
ers dock opposite the city exchange Is
connected by a cable with the fire alarm
system, thereby bringing out the auxil-
larry crew when an alarm is turned in
from any box on the river front. On sew
@ral occasions test runs have been made,
ana the crew has proved its ability to get
out quickly and in readiness for bust
ness
~ Is my opinion the river front is bet
Ter protected now than ever before" said
supt. Mcguire. THE efficient makeup of
the IRE department, and the precautions
Whlch people are taking to prevent fires,
salshes me that the departments record
Tor the present year will be the best the
city ever had
ms as the time for semi-annual inspec-
tlon of mercantile buildings. Two fremen
nave been detailed to make the inspec-
uons, and will be engaged at the work for
ABOUT three weeks. Their business is to
famine buildings, see that there are no
oohuiuons likely to produce fires, and note
any faulty construction. from the depart-
illeht standpoint, that may be unsafe.