The San Francisco call., 1901-11-24
URGES THE Use
OF SALT WATER
Commissioner Hecht Fa-
vors Utilizing It to
Fight Fire.

Every effort is abou, to be made by the
Board of Fire Commissioners to take up
the plan of an auxiliary salt water sys-
tenn for fire extinguisnng purposes, as
suggested by Chief Sullivan. At first the
system would be extended only to the
business portions of the city. and would
be owned and controlled by the munich
pality. The proposition may be voted upon
at the coming bond election.
Speaking of the matter yesterday
Colonel M. H. Hecht OF the Board Of Fire
Commissioners said
am in perfect accord with the rest of the
Board Of Fire Commissioners and the chief
engineer on that question. 1t Is not a new
much neglected. When / became a member
OF the Board of, Fire Commissioners one Of the
subject from the Various Eastern aa citiea M and
found that where it was in use 1t was en-
tirely satisfactory. had plans and data sent
Mayor. turned over to him and he has them
now. He is entirely with US in this matter.
Situation Is Favorable.
There is not another city in the United States
that is more favorably situated to establish
such a plant than San Francisco. New York
does most OF this work through very powerful
hreboats but the system proposed by our chief
engineer Is far more certain and always ready
Boston, I believe. has system of mains. We
here have practically no more protection for
our water front than anywhere else except by
pumping water right from the wharves and
delivering 1t as far as our hose carry 1t
is true there Is a fireboat: I am not familiar
with its power. but do know that 1t is prac-
for excursions and inspections by the state
omcers and often would be hard to find If
available at all. believe the Spreckels Bros
Company has tug fitted up as q fireboat but
It is private property and is intended only for
their own protection. This Of itself is strong
argument that we should do something in this
direction. A plant should be established at
once that could take in the whole water front
and extend as far as Market and Fifth streets
and take In everything east Of that for MANY
blocks. The chief engineer says the cost is
mere bagatelle to this great city 1t could
which use salt water is said to be much better
and healthier than fresh water Apart from
aak an other m reasons e % why this system should be
inadequate water supply in many II not in
most places Ever since my connection with
a constant fight for larger mains more water
ana more hydrants. The latter we can always
That eiy BUT what nse IN
when the mains are not put in place? The
records OF the commissioners will show de-
for what Is urgently needed. but very little
is ever done I do not know II anything more
ssfS to BE so sss SAYS wh That % gs s Sef ss
large fire at the same time as the Baldwin
confagration the city would have been at its
mercy for want Of water.
Hopes Public Will Take Interest.
sincerely hope the public will interest itself
In this matter and not leave It to be worked
out out alone by the Board Of Fire Commissioners.
the chief engineer and the Board OF Under
writer's. As said before, Mayor Pheian is
favorable to the system. No doubt the COM
Ing Mayor can be easily convinced and II the
general public will urge the establishment Of
brought about and II il is We viii have I'm ma6e 6e
the greatest Improvement the city has had for
years. II not ever. q
1t has been suggested that the western por-
ton Of the city can be supplied with salt water
from the pumping plant and mains now beins
operated in a limited way by the olympic
Salt Water Company. That may be so but un-
Tess some equitable arrangements could be made
for many years. It would be better for the city
to own Its own works. San Francisco should not
be at the mercy Of any corporation or company
for 'fs water supply for any purpose. While
we have every reason to be proud Of our fire
department yet It must have proper facilities
to maintain its eficiercv. Y do not believe the
people know how rapidly the city 10 growing,
nor do they realize how much more promising
our future growth appears to be- hence we
must make changes and improvements to keep
pace with our proeress