The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-28

~ the central city IN the North End there being
at present no engines in that part Of the city
IRE ALARM.
would also call your attention TO the fact, ~
winch, no DOUBT you are well ava, th,t ;rc
contract for the rental aud maintenance Of the
fire alarm system expired October ISIS. aud the
city is at present without any such contract.
would also recommend that steps bc taken to
purchase the present 0tc alarm system The city
is now paying $ll00 for rental aud S2,4iiit Tor
the maintenance. making total oi $3,jii.ii
year.
There are at present four engine houses ia
urgent need Of repairs, namely, the Columbia,
Liberty Excelsior and Neptune companies, at an
estimated outlay ol about Sl.jou if At once At.
tended 10.
cIHNNESS
With proper care anil attention ou the part OF
citizens, miny disastrous fics might have been
prevented. During the iJll oi every year many
tt,, result from the nithy condition ot ChimncyS.
While many uf these hrcs are trivial. some prove
disastrous. The cleaning oi iucs at regular in.
icrydlS would ob,iatc all this trouble.
Il IS unnecessary FOR me 10 state That mprop.
Hly constructed fucS cause large loss from ire.
ELECTRIC WIRES.
Improperly constructed electric light wirrs have
proved the source OF many fires. Too much care
in placing these witc> in stores where there l.,
80 much infaumahc material. cannot lr taken.
The department l. also Handicapped by the man.
ncr in which overhead electric light wires. rspe-
Cidlr thV'c running close to lnldings. are
,tmng
Not only do these wives "uddngct lite, but
thry ob-tuct the fomcn in thc raising oi lad
dcrS and in reaching places where they can best
hght the flames.
| wOulu again call vour attention to the danger
the lire alarm system is continually exposed to
10y the proximity of the electric light wires to
it wires Of the ihc alarm telegraph. During a
late storm one circuit was rendered entirely uNc'
css during the greater part OF the night What
| the consequences might be during severe slcet
stolm i, trightful to- contemplate.
While firmly believe that the wire, must ulti.
mltcly all 90 under ground, aud that the city
| cannot begin this work too soon, ii started on 4
comprehensive plan, yet think that much may
| hr gained in point Of reliability under the pres
cnt condition, 10y proper regulation OF the over
head system.
The ugliness Of the maze Of poles and wires on
| our principal streets, and the Inconvenience and
dlugrr resulting thertlrom are not SO much the
result OF the overhead system itself aS they ara
the consequences Of the want ot 4 systematic plan
| and proper regulation.
| In view Of the above. | would hereby suggest
a i,N rules and regulations, which, together with
! q arls that might hc offered, ii they meet with
| yo,p approval. could he Transmitted {" the prop
| cr authorities ls basis tor ncw, or an amend
| men, 90 the present, ordnance.
RULES ND REGULATIONS FOR OVERHEAD
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.
| l. No wire crossing a street 10 hc, at IT, lowest
| point OF ,dg, within twenty feet Of the pave
| w"Et
| = Wlm IL becomes necessary Tor one line Ia
| rr,,s another It shall run 80 far above or below
| Il % other ~ may be directed.
| B. Al dead wires" to be removed.
| T. All connections with clcctri, light conduc
tors ,n hc made by running the wires TO the tor
| of the building and then down the front 10 the
lamp
| j. All electric light conductors To be insulated
| by some waterproof compound