The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-30
OUR PROTECTION
IS DEPL0RABLf
Continued from First Pase.)

~ LII .Ssns-
CONTINUED from First Pase.)
surance or dropping policies as they OK.
pire, and as return Of confidence on eas
part Of these organizations may NOT %
expected unless a materially better con-
dition in relation to proper building laws
and provision. better water supply ana
distribution and more acceptable iaciii.
ties for fire lighting are PROVIDED oS
your public authorities, in at least ap"
proximato conformity with the susses-
lions submitted to you by the National
Board of Fire Underwriters in January
last. supplemented by proper attention
to the specific conditions now undes
consideration for tne locality speclned
in the petition no" before you 1or con-
s!deratfon.
FOR many years the city OF Richmond
had deserved Great a locality IN
which insurance companies might secure
some profit on their transactions, but
that time appears to nave passed. and
its good repute in that respect play not
be called back unless the companies can
be assured of radical and speedy corTec-
ton OF the defects. which careful In
spections and Investigations have DEM
cnstrated as now existing.
III OrGer 10 liLC IsiCuiiluiio ny W d
par with other cities of like size anu
equal financial Importance much remains
to be done in the line of public improve
ment and in the betterment of public
works. none of which can be accom-
Pushed save through the intelligent and
forceful action of the city authorities,
The principal matters which demand I'M.
mediate and positive attention may be
briefly summarized as follows:
RECOMMENDATION MADE.
First The enactment of a modern
ana well considered building code. and
the rigid enforcement OF its provision,
under the supervision OF an inspector
sufficiently charged with technical know.
ledge to enable him to pass an inteIii-
gent Judgment upon the work submitted
and clothed with sufficient authority to
enforce proper practices
Second: The betterment of the water
distribution service. particularly in the
coEgested business districts and in tbs
vicinity of large manufacturing plants
o.. groups OF large values. by the subset-
tUtior of larger street mains for the
small ones now so frequent. No main OF
less than six inches should be depended
upon for large service. Eight-inch mains
are small enough where agsresa tons OF
valuable property are to be protected
against fire.
Third: All fire hydrants within the bus
in.Gs district and in localities where other
large values are to be protected should
be directly connected with the largest
water mains in the streets surrounding
and be closely enough. placed to each
other to afford at least ten good fire
streams { any large property on fire.
These hydrants should each be provided
with a four-inch steamer connection
with the opening to same set d right an
| giles to the street curb.
Fourth: As all fire MIGRANTS are sup
| nosedly set for the use OF the fire de-
partn1ent that department. should be given
| the control OF the selection CT locations
| for hydrants. and the setting OF same
| should not be accepted by the authorities
until passed upon by the fire department.
| as satisfactory in every respect
| INCREASED FIRE HAZARD
| IN conclusion. let me remind you. gen
| tlerneu. that the Richmond OF to-day is
| net the Richmond OF some twenty years
ago. when she was Just rising from the
disheartening conditions bequeathsd to
her through the horros OF civil warfare
To-day Che is ambitiousIy ehterprlsing
in the Iauda bic attempt 10 place hersei,
amongst the foremost cities OF her size
ard class. Old-tinle methods and prac-
! tees have become revolutionized under
| the spirit OF modern enterprise and pro-
| sress, and with these notable changes
| in business methods and in nlanufa cturius
| processes has also come new and hereto
| fore unknown OF fra hazard. which does
| not yet appear TO be fully appreciated by
| the public or the authcrities Of your good
! Il city These new fire hazards are due
| not only to the Very large area and easy
| ccnbustible structures now being erected
| for both mercantile and manufacturing
| purposes. but are vastly aggravated nv
| the methods OF conducting mercan,lla
4 H+-cf n ~ l,A
| es in manufact turing which are often ex-
| trc1 ely dangerous as breeders OF fire
F,erce the public facilities for fighting
| fire with water should be advanced over
ancient practices and be made to accord
viii. the time and the new conditions OF
| fire hazard.
| The function of a public water supply
| is not complete when in volume and
pressure 1t simply and only serves tha
! demands OF domestic and nanufactur-
! ing uses. It's volume should be largeiy
| in excess of such demands and it's press
| ure should be sufficiently high to supply
| large quantities within a short period
| of time when needed for extiusuishing
| large fires or conf1a gra tons.
| III Richmond hopes to reach the goal OF
her ambition in the line OF enterprise and
! prosperity. something will have to De done
| to harmonic the conditions as 10 progress
| in business to fire defense The fns3r-
| auce companies look with disnlay upon
| the combined conditions of insufficient
water supply in the congested districts
ard the possibility of a widespread con-
| fla gra ton within the same limits OWING
! to the very inferior nature OF the str'c-
| lures which mutually expose each Other
| through unprotected windows and large
| frame extensions on the rear. and untit
| these untowartl conditions are anchor
| ated or removed it cannot we'll Do cx-
| pected that the corr1pa mics will be anxious
| 10 assume large liabilities or assent to
any marked reduction IN rates"