The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-12

Frozen fire hydrants, or, more prop
erly speaking, frozen water inside of
fire hydrants las handicapped the fire
department of this city on many occa-
sions in the past and has been the in
direct cause Of tho destruction of much
valuable property. There will be nc
frozen fire hydrants this coming win
ter, however.
During Chief Walkers regime sew
eral hydrant pumps We're purchased
to pump the water from hydrants af-
ter fire. Chief Zizelmann has given
orders to have these put In operation
this week and the accumulated waite,
will be pumped out Of every one OF
the hydrants in the city.
The new hydrants put in during the
year are known as the Wood pattern
freezing impossible. When they are
shut off the water between the main
and the opening drains off. leaving the
hydrant empty.
Several of the fire alarm boxes, not
ably Nos. Is and %. are apparently
out Of gear and test of them is to
be made by Chief Zizelmann. When
No. Is was pulled few nights ago
PIG sounded. There is no such num-
ber and firemen all over the city were
mystified as to the exact number OF
the box being sounded.
Then, when alarms were sent in from
North Scranton, Nos. Is and % would
sound. calling the central city CON-
panies out needlessly. A thorough test
will be accordingly made, with the
idea in mind Of getting at the root of
the trouble.
Box No. 22 and several others from
which false alarms have been sent in
so frequently of late have been
equipped with keys, the panes Of glass
being removed. It is unfortunate that
any of the boxes have to be equipped
with keys, inasmuch as the hunting
up of the holders of these keys usually
consumes deal of time, especially at
night, and this would prove exceed
ingly costly if big fire got a good
start in the principle part OF the city.
1t is safe to predict that provisions
will be made in the next appropria-
tion ordinance for the payment Of a
fire marshal. Chief Zizelmann believes
that the services of such an official
would have the effect of preventing a
great many fires and 1t is understood
that he will make a fight to have sal
ary provided for one.
At the present time Permanent man
George, of the Phoenix chemical COM
pany, performs the duties Of a fire
marshal in parts Of the central city
but he has not sufficient time to spare
from his regular duties to go beyond
a few blocks inasmuch as his company
is called into service more frequently
than any other.
He pays especial attention to the
easements underneath stores and sees
that inflamable material is not allowed
to gather in large quantities. He has
not the power, however, which a reg
ularly appointed fire marshal would
have. Such an official could order the
removal of all accumulated hay. straw,
excelsior, etc, and if his instructions
were not obeyed could order the ar
rest of the person who disobeyed.
He would be expected to go over
the entire city in such a manner, in
specting not only buildings but also
barns and alleys and prevent the
gathering of piles of rubbish in the
latter. The plan is to dispense with
several or with all of the six district
chiefs and have the fire marshal act
as assistant chief
Under existing conditions hardly
any of the district chiefs can be count
ed on in case of fire in the daytime.
All of them hold responsible positions
of trust and generally are unable to
take time to attend fires. One is a
railroad conductor and is out of town
half the day. Councils have already
defeated an ordinance providing for
the appointment Of fire marshal but
it is believed that councilmanic senti-
ment is crystalizing in favor of one.
Some people fancy that the resolu-
tions introduced in select council by
Councilman d. w. Vaughan provid-
ing for the removal of DR.. Sitterly as
fire department veterinarian and di-
recting the city solicitor to recover the