New-York tribune., 1902-03-13
THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
REPLY OF THE MANHATTAN COMPANY TO
COMMISSIONER sTURGIs

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir MY attention has been called to an interview
in The New-York Tribune Of the nth reported as
coming from Fire Commissioner Sturgis respecting
the Manhattan Fire Alarm Company. IN which
certain charges made against that company
At the hearing before Mayor Low on Monday on
the subject OF the revocation Of the license of
Manhattan company, the commissioner was re-
peatedly asked 10 state his objections its system
and a often refused TO do IF his refusal
caused by the insufficient knowledge Of the subject
which The Tribune article exhibits the reason for
the refusal is very apparent
Permit me 20 call attention TO certain dscrep-
ancies In his statement as printed. He tes that
'the exclusive privilege to its fire alarm
boxes with the boxes Of city was granted to the
Manhattan company under Mayor Strong in 1896
As matter Of fact, the permit issued to the
company on October ? 1895 reads: '"rhe permission
hereby granted is not 10 he construed comforting
an exclusive privilege"
On the basis of this statement he
charges that the company is monopoly" The
truth is that II enjoys monopoly other than that
natural one which improved methods and perfected
appliances may give. and which II has been the
policy Of enlightened governments everywhere to
encourage. II will he news 20 the three other
companies that they have been driven 'out Of bust
ness" all OF them doing larger business
to-day than in 1895.
The statement that the Manhattan company
charges the 'exorbitant rate of $50 a box year
the actual cost OF the box is s2is utterly at vari
wit a complete statement of the facts. The
cost Of the call boxes is about 81 30 each but to
count that as the cost Of the installation OF the
Manhattan system in a building is absurd to
reckon the expense OF the installation OF a call
bell system by the price paid for push buttons at
eight or ten cents apiece. In installing a Manhat
tan fire alarm plant in building covering I'm many
cases underground street connections insulated
wiring. testing apparatus. galvanometer; batteries
etc an expense of hundreds of dollars is often in
curred in order 10 connect single box. In the
maintenance OF the plants elaborate and un-
cea sing day and night vigilance is exercised,
while by an ingenious arrangement OF safeguards
tbe occiIpant of the building knows at If the
circuit is interrupted. This IN no way interferes
with the city circuits.
reoIIred and care for 1t in the manner that SUCH
q = an1nortant protection makes necessary for much
90 any less rental than is charged by the Manhat-
- cSon,nanv While the price for maintaining
rjant with a single box is $50 a year, additional
PPxee are installed at a much less price in many
ceSes as low as $40 per annum. The small profits
- 6a Nv our company will present little or no at
.otion 10 CAPITALISTS seeking investment especial
~ when the entire investment Is LEFT subject 20 be
g,S y, mSe nut Of existence by a single stroke of the
na5 of n fire commissioner.
PSr ~ oharpe that any OF property has been
sued AZ the instance OF the Manhattah company
S f-ce the Introduction OF its fire alarm boxes s
- - loi,,talr without the slightest foundauon In
aDsHIi .I We have had knowledge whatever In
I5 20 such suits of the notices which pre-
IeSSas ,bena except such we derived from inc
StI,, ,aners or may have heard or from the prop
erfv owners themselves. - - ho,fd MT ba
,ed with special fire alarm signals rests nnder
atu, "a the discretion of the Fire
Ear1 administration that the city mas nna sCe
he law was passed has issued notices ea'i1is 1H4