The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-02-25
SHREVEPORT'S FIRE PROTECTION
Report Of Leading Special Agent
Shows Many improvements

The Vindicator: After a careful in
spectior of and investigation into fire
protection conditions at Shreveport, a
we'll known special agent has sent an ex-
haustive report to his company. All COM
panies interested in Shreveport business
would do we'll to secure a copy through
their local agente at that point as the
report contains much valuable informa-
ton.
1t is shown that within the past few
years many Improvements have been
made in building construction, in the
paving Of streets, in the fire department
equipment, while the substantial business
interests of the city have grown and
prospered to remarkable degree The
old mercantile buildings are very poor
but those of later construction indicate
an improvement in this class of risk.
Stocks average from fair to good. The
old frame buildings and contents are
undesirable. @@ %~
Dwellings average very good, partieu-
larly those constructed within the last
few years, and there has been consider
able Improvement in the character of
f1ues by reason of the enforcement of the
fues ordinance and a penalizatien of
metal hues. The dwellings built twenty
to twenty-five years ago are, as a rule,
undesirable - .zs
The fire record, for the last FIVE years
has been poor but there has been
marked Improvement in this respect
within the past year or eighteen months.
The premium receipts for last year were
approximately 100000 with losses about
$4,000 This does not include outside
business, which, it is reported, was un-
satisfactory to the companies. Il
The condition of the fire protection is
very good, but efforts are still being
made to improve the fire department.
On account of the poor buildings in
blocks II, 4o, 50, 81, So and So and the
large values which are contained in
these buildings conhagration hazard
exists, but it regarded as probable that
a fire could be confined to any one of
these blocks under favorable conditions, |
and because Of the improved condition
of the fire department the chances for a
confagration are much less than hereto
fore.
The condition Of the electrical insta1la-
tons has been much improved within the
last eighteen months through the en-
fercement of the National Electric Code.
The water, supply is adequate and the
condition of the pumping station is very
creditabie. Additional water mains arc to
be laid, and more hydrants are to be
put in. The water pressure in the busi- |
ness section is from seventy to seventy
flve pounds; in residence section sixty
FIVE pounds. The new Gamewel1 fire
alarm system is adequate.
To quote from the report: Chief
OBrien IS active, progressive, and seems |
to be making every effort to improve and
keep the department up to the greatest
point OF efficiency. As far as | am able
to Judge, the Shreveport department at |
present is free from political control, and
entirely in the hands of the chief, who
me as being a good mar"
All recommendations made by the in
spector of the National Board have been !
carried ont, with the exception Of pur-
chasing an aerial hook and ladder truck, |
but same win soon be purchased and IN
stalled.