Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-25
FIRE ENGINES POWER
Test at the Capitol of Modern
Apparatus.
REGARDED AS SUCCESS
COMMENT OF THE DISTRICT DE-
PARTMENT OFFICIALS.
Demand for Additional Facilities for
Securing Supply of Water
in Emergencies.
REGARDED AS SUCCESS

The demonstration of the remarkable
power of the modern fire engine on the
plaza at the east front of the Capitol last
Tuesday morning was interesting from
many points of view. 1t showed to the pro-
fessional fire fighters of the District de-
partment that the local brigade has three
of the largest. and most effective engines
constructed for municipal service in this
country. To the casual spectator the test
was one of spectacular interest. Immense
streams of water were thrown hundreds of
feet into the air from nozzle that was it
self at an elevation of seventy feet. The
waters rushed from the hose openings with
a force and volume that proved a reVela-
ton to the firemen themselves, as well as
the onlookers. s7.-s
1.-The fire department has set mark for
the water department" commented Chief
Engineer Dutton, in speaking of the tests
yesterday, and it is up to that branch OF
the government to provide US with a Suffi-
Gent supply at the fire hydrants in the
downtown section of the city. The pres
sure at the plugs is quite sufficient at the
present time. but the volume of water is
not there, and that is what we want. One
gets the same pressure a half-inch water
pipe in the house that we get at the plugs,
but naturally not the same volume. 1t fol-
lows. then. that we cannot get from the
six-inch mains to which most of the fire
tnat We could get from twelve-inch mains. y
Insufhciency of Water.
The senior assistant chief engineer, Mr..
Belt. declares that if the three extra first
class engines recently placed in commits
sion in the business section were put to
work on a fire at the same time there
would not be sufficient water in the mains
to allow their full capacity. AT the Capitol
tests Tuesday morning the suction sleeves
of the engines were dropped into the big
reservoir which extends under a large area
of the plaza, and in this way a plentiful
supply was to be had.
1t is not generally known that there are
two cisterns comparing favorably in ca
pacity with the Capitol reservoir on Penn
syivania avenue northwest. One of these
is located under the street surface in front
of the Central National Bank, at 7th street
and the avenue. and the second is in front
of the Traders National Bank, at 10th
street and the avenue. These cisterns are
not kept filed. They are connected direct
iy with a Six-inch main. however, with a
valve that is readily managed If there
should be serious fire in either of these
localities the assistant chief engineer in
charge would Immediately order the filling
of the ciSternS, and one of the big engines
would begin work from the underground
reservoir Chief Belt. who is the freight
ing head or the department. deploreS the
fact that there are but two of the cisterns
He is in favor of their use and believes
them to be the most economical method of
providing a sufficient water supply for fire
service. II all the six-inch mains were re-
placed with tweive-inch pipes. however the
supply would. of course. be sufficient but
the expense would be great.
A Problem Presented.
One problem with which the authorities
of the department have been wrestling Is
to enable the big engines to take sue
ton from both openings on the fire by
drants. Chief Belt and Mr.. T NJ Robin
son. the machinist of the department, have
about completed an appliance which will
accomplish this. They gave it a trial a
few days ago and the results were more
than gratifying What is termed siam