The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-07-25

both mains are of the same size a
fact that was unknown to the insur-
ance agents for the reason that the
insurance map of the city is incorrect.
ly marked in this regard.
(d) 1t was further alleged that
there was possible error in attaching
too many lines To the hydrant on +
avenue thus lessening the pressure
which would have been given to each,
hul the testimony showed there was
sufficient pressure on all of these lines
at all times and as said above, the
main connected with this hy-
supposed by the insurance agents
taking All interest in the investigation
(e) There was some suggestion
that there was undue delay in getting
one OF the engines in commission and
there was n further suggestion that
the engines had come to the fire mad
equately supplied with kinding and
fuel but the evidence negatiyed both
OF these suggestions.
O. A further complaint on the
part of the insurance men and the
employees of the mill was tina; there
was too great delay in getting water
10 the engine house with the result
that the contents of the engine house
were partially destroyed, and some
witnesses were of the opinion that
with greater etlicncy and such etllc-
iency as should have been present
water might have reached the engine
house earlier 40 that the engine house
and its contents might have been
saved. We have given a great deal
of attention to this complaint and we
find that immediately upon the arriv
al of the Department the Chiefs first
efforts were directed to furnishing
protection for the engine house and
that he succeeded in getting water for
the protection OF this house as early
a. was possible, considering the con
ditions there existing and the fact
that at the beginning Of the fire the
Department was necessarily short OF
men.
We have been unable, therefore, To
learn any facts tending to show that
Olaf Johnson, Chief Of the Fire De
partment, is ineillcient and we 80 re
port To you; and we shall take no fur
ther action in the premises beyond
rendering this report to you and en-
tering the same in the proceedings Of
the Board. We believe that the com
plants and criticisms reflected by the
Evening Telegram were due originally
TO misapprehension of the facts
existing at the Scoiield fire aud we
feel certain that many who were in
clired to criticize the Chi3f when i'll
informed will have confidence in him
when the real facts are made known
10 them.
The Scoiield fire occurred shortly af-
ter O'Clock in the morning at time
when the halls were short of men on
account of the breakfa fast hour and this
accounts for the Department being
somewhat in lack of men at the be-
ginning of the fire. There was some
suggestion that some method ought
10 be adopted to prevent the present
scarcity Of men at meal hours The
rule governing the matter is Rule 100
OF the Rules and Regulations OF the
Superior Fire Department which
reads as follows:
mo more than three separate
hours per day for meals will be al
lowed to each officer and man, nor
shall more than one member Of II
company be absent from quarters
except IN case of emergency or at
ordinary meals. In eight or nine
men companies there shall always
he al least five men in quarters
rcady for duty; in ten men comp
anes at least six men, in twelve
men companies at least eight mon.
In engine companies AT least one
Officer, the engineer or assistant
engineer, and one driver, shall at
all times he in quarters ready for
duty