The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-03

Truck Commented On.
That Scrantons fire department, as
far as apparatus hose houses and
horsenesh goes, is in first-class con-
dition was attested last night by all Of
the members of the joint fire depart
ment committee, who visited the vari-
Gus houses yesterday on the annual
tour of inspection.
The apparatus was found, with one
or two minor exceptions, to be in ex-
cellent repair: there was found to be
sufficient quantity of good hose in al
of the houses: the horses were found
to be in Al condition, all of the old
hacks having been sold, and everything
was seen to be in the best shape that
it has been in for several years past.
AS to whether or not the discipline
among the permanent men is all that
could be desired, the committee were
unable to discover. as they We're, of
cnTrso, all on their best behavior.
"t was made from the munici.
lg in two carriages at .
the morning. Those who
com. ....i the party were Select
NOullNlillltH lluSlOIc anu MclNl III, CDUl-
mon Councimen NJ. V. Morris, Zzel-
man and Wenzel Mayor Moir Chies
John II. Walker. Colonel +. l.. Hitch
cock, representing the Fire Under
writer's association, and several news
paper men.
GENERAL PHTNNEY HOUSE.
The first house visited was the Cen
thoroughly inspected the building and
found everything in excellent order.
The outside of the house requires a
couple of coats of paint, and there
should be a more modern hitching ap-
paratus installed. Otherwise, every
thing is in first -class shape. There is
600 feet of hose in this house, which
was found to be the average amount
in every house. 1t is all good hose,
too. Heretofore there have been times
when some of the companies have had
less than 800 feet of very poor hose.
The Liberty, Niagara, Excelsior and
Cumberland houses in North Scranton
were next visited. Apparatus and
everything else was found in excellent
shape in all of these, especially in the
Cumberland house, which is about the
best equipped of any in that part of
the city.
The Relief company's quarters in
Petersburg was next visited. Several
Of the members stated afterwards that
this was undoubtedly the cleanest
house inspected, everything being as
spick and span as on board a man-of-
war. This ended the morning part of
the inspection.
The first houses to be visited in the
| afternoon were those of the Phoenix,
Century, William Connell and Neptune
companies. The William Connelps
house is being extensively enlarged
and altered and when completed will
be one of the finest hose houses in
the city, Among the many improve
ments being added is a water tower
| 60 feet high.
The hose wagon in the Eagle house,
| which was the next to be inspected,
was found to be in need of a very thor
ough overhauling. The Columbia and
Franklin houses in West Scranton We're
in splendid shape, the latter company
now having practically a new steamer
| in their old one, which has been re-
built. The roof in this house needs
repairing.
HOOKS IN BAD SHAPE.
The harness and apparatus in the
Hook and Ladder company's house
was about the only real discouraginS
thing the committee met with. The
harness is absolutely worthless and
cannot be repaired The truck is al
most worthless, too, having seen its
best days. The ladders nre only sixty
five feet high. and when the highest
one is raised from the truck it sway,
back AMI forth as much as ten fee +
rendering it impossible for any one to
ascend it. Should a fire break out in
one of the very high buildings it would
be hard proposition to get people out
of the upper floors.
The Nay Aug and Crystal companies
quarters were found to be in theil
usual excellent shape. The latter com.
pany now has 1000 feet of new hose
800 of rubber and 500 Of cotton, fol
use in the central city. The water
battery in this house was taken ou
on the Linden street bridge and tes
of it made. With two steamers attach
ed it threw a stream over 800 feet.
Several of the companies gave illus
trations of their quick hitching cap
acity. The record was made by tn,
Reliefs, whose wagon was hitched VI
in Just ten and One-half seconds. TIL,
William Connell company came of
second best with just about eleven sec
onds.
One thing commented upon after tn
inspection by several members Of tn
committee is the necessity of haYin!
at least Cne extra permanent man il
the houses now having only one man
the William Connell, Century, Cum
berland, Excelsior, Liberty and Mag
ara companies. One man is considere,
insufficient 10 get out the apparatus il
time.