The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-07
Circular Issued by Inspector
Branch Calls Attention to
Provisions of the Law.
FOR SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC.
Insurance Companies Notified to
Turn Over to Department List
of Boilers They Have
Insured.

Joseph G. Branch, Inspector of Boilers
and Elevators. is sending out letters to all
companies and persons who operate ele-
v2torS or steam boilers calling attention to
the age and responsibility Of the persons
operating the same. Special attention is
directed to the ordinance which provides
that the conductors of elevators must not
be less than 16 years of age
Il shall make every effort to see that all
concerns comply with this law" Mr. Branch
said yesterday, land It gives me great
pleasure to say that l am receiving the
hearty corporation of the large business
concerns.
Another thing which 1 find that the pub
lie approve of Is the inspection of the ele-
vators every three months. For the safety
of the public this must be done, especially
in view of the fact that SO many strangers
are coming to st. Louis next year. The
elevators must be safe. and If constant
watchfulness can make them SO. they will
be-
Four thousand copies of the ordinance
have been mailed. out of this number
there have been but a dozen removals OF
conductors for cause
Mr. Branch has practically reorganized
the office in the matter of boiler inspection
work. He says that he found that the rev
enues of the Office were falling off, while
the number of boilers installed had in
creased about 80 per cent.
LIST OF BOILERS INSPECTED.
AS a result. the insurance companies have
been notified to turn over TO this depart
ment of the city list of all the boilers
they have Insured. SO that the department
may officially pass on the inspection.
A blank form has been sent to all en-
gineers. which contains questions concern
Ing the inspection of boilers. About 1,5uo
engineers have been reached in this way,
and in every case the blank was filled OUT
and returned according to the instructions
Mr., Branch considered the fact that all
OF their cooperation, as with about w OF
the blanks a personal letter was incioseo
commencing the inspectors action.
According to law. this part of the insur-
ance companies work Is under the direct SUI
pervision of the inspector and with the APP
spectOr of any Of the companies.
There has been an attempt on the part OF
some to evade the inspection Of boilers.
There Is a heavy penalty attached 10 such
violations and prosecutions will follow
The reason for special rigorous action at
of temporary engines which are being
erected to run during the Fair. =.
TT is this type which generally does the
greatest damage" Mr.. Branch said. land
We have to watch them constantly"
An innovation of particular interest TO
engineers and scientific men has been in
troduced by the new inspector. in the shape
of model room" He intends to set up
models of the various types of pumps. en-,
giEes and boilers in one of the rooms or
the fourth floor of the City Hall. One
model of especial interest will be the steam
turbine, which. 1t is claimed. will revolu..
tionize the use of steam. Small models OF
engines Of the Corliss type will be on exfi-
bition. as well as what is known as the
"down-draft boiler" for consuming smoke.