The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-09

President jackson of the board of
fire underwriters for the Middle de-
partment was in the city this past
week. securing Information regarding
the condition of the fire department. to
be considered at the next meeting of
the board. He was especially inter-
csted in the hydrants and secured
map showing the location of all the fire
hydrants in the city.
Director of Public Safety j.. J..
Wornser had Il conversation with MIR
Jackson. in which the latter stated
that it was very likely that the board
would take un the question OF the re-
duction of the local rates at the next
meeting. The matter was deferred at
the last meeting. he said, for several
reasons.
II feel" said Director Wormser yes
terdaN. that the rebate question is
what is agitating the insurance people.
They promised, when the rates were
advanced, that they would refund The
amount of the increase when they We're
again reduced. They don't appear TO
be dcsirous of giving this money back
until they are absolutely confident that
our fire department is in first-claSS
shape.
I'VE have fulfilled all the reasonable
requirements demanded when the in
crease was made. and l feel confident
that the rates will be soon reduced,
We must remember, however. that we
can only prevent another increase in
rates by keeping our fire department. in
first -class condition. Councils must no
longer he niggardly in appropriating
money for it's maintenance. They
must realize that this is constantly
growing city and that our fire depart
ment should progress also"
The repeater at the telephone cx-
change, which repeats the alarm sent
in from Il box to all the fire houses
in the city. has been out of order Ior
the last few weeks, and an expert elec-
trician from the Gamewell Fire Alarm
Telegraph company arrived in the city
yesterday to ascertain if it can be used
or whether a new one will be required
The new fire alarm code, mentioned
at length in The Tribune some time
ago. went into force yesterday. y
special series of taps for the calling
out of any separate company in the
city department. has been prepared by
Chief Ferber. 1t is as follows:
Second and third alarm, repeating OF box. Fine
out. , taps; Hook aud Ladder company. 3 taps:
supply wagon. taps: director department of
public safety, taps; building Inspector, taps:
police PATROL taps: ambulance, S taps: general
alarnI. ;'i'3 taps: Chemical Engine company, No.
I. 4i.l taps No. >, 4.i.2 taps; No. 3. A.; taps;
Engine company No. ]. 2.2l taps No. ., go
taps; No. g. 2.23 taps; No. 4, 2.2i taps; No. ).
2.2-j taps; hose companies, No. l, Dol taps; No.
>, j5.2 taps; No. 3, i.1.a taps No. A. ;.5-i taps;
No. ), J-5.5 taps No 6, 5j.0- taps; No. :. 5.5.7
taps.
There has ben Il general rearrange-
ment of the numbers OF the fire alarm
boxes TO prevent confusion. The
changes appear on the new fire alarm
sheet, which is now being distributed
by Chief l'erber.
SO many of the iiremen have asked
for information regarding the regula
tion overcoat which they will be re-
uuired to wear this coming winter.
that Director Wormser has issued the
following order, describing the stand
ard coat: Double breasted frock coat,
rolling collar. corded seams, made OF
American Mill Melton, dark blue in
color, same as adopted at headquar
ters: pure indigo blue dye, twenty
eight ounces per yard. in length 10
reach TO the knee; to button close TO
neck, with eight large regulation but
tons on each breast, three on each
skirt behind and two small-Sized but
tons on each cuff; one outside breast
pocket covered by large outside flap,
two in skirts, covered by large flaps:
skirt to be lined with red slnunker
llannel and sleeves to be lined with
best tWis, sleeve lining.
The repairs 10 the Chemical company
No. =. or old Columbia house, have just
been completed. and the place is now
in Il fairly tenantable condition. There
is much that yet remains to be done,
but no further improvements Will be
made until Director Wormser is salts
lied that there Will be no more cavinG
at that point.
So good Is the condition of the horses
in the fire department at present, that
only two new ones will be asked for
this coming year These are for the
old Franklin Engine company, or for
Engine company No. ), as ii is now
known. This is the only team in the
department that is in bad condition.