The Mankato free press., 1902-06-13

Annual Report of the Fire De-
partment.
Fire Losses for the Year Foot Up to
Only S12,555.--SeveraI Recon-
mendations Made.

AID. Beach, chief of the fire de-
partment, presented his first annual
the year ending April 1st. 1t is a COM
plete and excellent report, and speaks
report to the council Friday for
we'll for the efficiently of the depart
ment.
The fire loss for the year is estimated
at $12, Dob. 10, with the total amount
of insurance carried, $143, 976.
There were sixty-six alarms, OF
which fourteen were sent through the
electric fire alarm system, forty-five
were sent by telephone, and seven
were given by personal service.
An inventory of the apparatus on
hand is given, which includes 5000
feet of all kinds of fire hose. Of this,
only 5000 feet is in good condition,
the most of the rest being in fair
condition. The seven head of horses
are all in good condition, but the
white horses used on No. 1 hose, ow-
ing to old age getting the best of
them, will be exchanged very shortly.
The central fire station tin roof was
removed during the past year and re-
placed with Carey's flexible roofing.
A tower fifty feet in height and four
feet square was erected in the rear of
this station for use as a practice
tower, the work being done by the
men at the station, who also painted
the interior of the building and gave iJ
q much brighter appearance at very
small cost to the city. Station No. 2
at West Mankato was improved by
erecting a new bell tower and having
the waterworks put into the building.
Station No. 3 in Dukes addition also
had some repairing done and water
works put into the building. This
leaves both these stations in good
condition and handy for the men to
work in when necessary. Station No.
8 in Ogle's addition has been equipped
with a hose cart, and in case of
emergency is ready for the occasion.
Station No. 8, at Pleasant and Byron
streets, has been abandoned.
The following purchases of fire
fighting apparatus was made; A
pompier outfit, consisting of four
ladders and four belts, 500 feet OF
treated 21s inch hose. six key guards
for fire alarm boxes, and one nine
inch gong.
The manual force of the department
consists of eighty-fve officers and
men, of which six are paid and per-
manently located at the central sta
ton. Three men have resigned from
the paid force and their places been
filed by others, who have given good
satisfaction. The discipline Of the force
is good and the men have done their
work in a faithful manner. The
pompier ladder drill which was taken
up last October proved to be very ben
e6cial to those taking active part IL
| it. The men at the central station are
put through the drill each day for ar
hour, and practice consists of raising
the ladders in the many different posi-
tions which are liable to confront the
men at any time, climbing and rop'
practice.
| The recommendations are as follows
81 would recommend to your honor
able body the purchase of 900 feet o
cotton hose, the same as in use at tn
present time, and which has given tn
department by far the best satisfac
tion. This amount will offset the poo
hose on hand at present, and whic
is liable to be discarded at any time
| 81 would also recommend the exter
sion of the water mains and placin
of hydrants as follows: The extensio
of main on Elm street from the allie
, between Willow and Maple street an
placing hydrant at the corner
Elm and Maple streets; the extensio
, of main on Rock street from Frol
> | to Maple street had the placing
hydrants at Willow and Maple on sal
. street also the extension of main {
8 Vine street from Front to W:llo
street, and placing hydrant at corn
, of Willard and Vine. This extensit
of water mains for fire protectie
, alone | deem a long wanted necessit
E and as in this district is located Sc
eraI of our factories and local indu
tries which, if attacked by fire at Il
right time and place, would undout
edly mean a large confagration, /
scause, for the want of proper wat
q supply, the department would be u
g able to cope with it.
81 would also recommend the pls
ing of fire alarm boxes at the follo'
ing places: The corner of Liberty a
Front streets, and the corner of Fro
n and Madison avenue; also glass K
70 guards on all boxes now witho
le them.
70 "Not deeming it necessary to ke
:. any hose at station No. 8. corr
r Pleasant and Byron streets, as ever
[. Thing in that district is covered
the central station apparatus and
9. been for some time past. wo'
IN recommend that it is no longer a
.. use renting the grounds for that p
pose, and unless required by the c