Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-18
TWENTIETH CENTURY FIRE DE-
PARTMENT.
Machine Guns and Powder Instead Of
Engines and Water.

Rapid firing machine guns instead of
steam engines, and extinguishing pow
der in the place of water, may soon mark
the advance of the fire departments OF
the world in their methods of fighting
fires. Before the century is year older.
modernly adapted and applied artillery
may have begun to supersede the steam
fire engine and its appurtenances in New
York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other
large cities of this country and Europe
Human ingenuity has virtually already
worked out this new problem of convert
ing the engines of warfare to this novel
and more peaceful function of battling
with flames. 1t is said to be feasible,
practical, and it's realization is almost at
hand, says the Chicago Tribune.
More than half the problem has already
been worked out by a New York man,
who is now manufacturing, under gov
eminent patent, a chemical eXtinguiSn :
ing powder by a secret formula. He has
also worked out the principal of molding
this powder into balls of any size and
of constructing them in a way that will
make them explode when shot into COM
tact with burning building. This much
accomplished. he, together with others in
New York. Philadelphia and Chicago,
has employed some of the most eminent
mechanical engineers and gunmakers In
the country to fashion a machine gun for
throwing the balls in question on and
into buildings as high as thirty stories.
In fact. several inventions to accom-
plish this purpose have already been
made and patented. but the promoters
are not yet quite satisfied with the result
obtained. That a modernly adjusted and
practical gun will be evolved for the fire
fighting, however, there Is not the slight
est question.
Behind the enterprise is more than
enough capital to exploit it successfully.
1t is being worked out quietly, though 4
year has already been spent. chiefly in
experimenting on the artillery phase of
the project. So far but the merest out
lines of the great purpose of the promot-
ers have leaked out to the public. They
are guarding their secret and will con-
tnue to do so until everything is per-
fected and in readiness to spring upon
the world. 1t is only recently that one of
the most eminent expert mechanical en-
gineers of Chicago was asked and agreed
to take up the work of perfecting a suit
able and practical machine gun to SUI
persede the fire engine in the function Of
doing battle with fires.
Instead of the roaring and suffering
fire engines stationed about a big fire.
throwing thousands of gallons of water 9
minute in many streams to height of
200 feet or more, instead of the thousands
of feet of hose strewn and tangled along
the streets, like huge snakes. blocking
traffic of alb kinds and congesting the
thoroughfares for squares. instead of a
hundred and one familiar scenes incident
to the burning of large building in a
big city-there will come with the new
methods scenes more novel and interest
ing at nrSt. tt''f
Contemplate the modern fire depart
ment of artillery bombarding a burning
structure in New York. Chicago Phila-
delphia from every vantage ground.
Twenty or more rapid firing machine
guns, propelled and operated by electric
ity. and a detail of firemen gunners are
shooting extinguishng chemical powder
balls into the windows and on top of the
building. The balls explode on contact
disseminate over the blaze zone, and
drop like sheet over the flames smoth-
ering and snuffing them out like breath
directed against a candle light. There
will be little chance for the fire to gain
headway so effectively will this pulver-
lied powder accomplish its purpose. The
noise from the decorating guns will have
been reduced to a minimum less than that
incident to the firing of an ordinary pis-
toll of small caliber.
The powder which is now being used in
a small measure for the same purpose as
it is proposed to use it on a greater scale
is made of chemical with charcoal, as
, harmless to breathe as the impurities that
/ now pervade the atmosphere. In fact
| thos who have experimental with it and
tested it say that its effect upon the all
| is to purify 1t. as charcoal does water
drained through it. The modern fire ma
chine gun will be mounted upon pneu-
matte tired wheels. supporting carriage
and instead of the numbering noise of the
!, fire engine and the like over cobbleStone
! pavements and car tracks, which Is ia
miliar to the average citizen, fire runs
will be made with such noiseless ease that