The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-09
WILL ASK $4,000
FOR HIGH PRESSURE
q Chief Belt Seeks Better
Fire Service.
WILL APPLY TO CONGRESS
Special Defense Tor the Business Sec
tiOn OF Waslingt Success
Elsewhere.
WILL APPLY TO CONGRESS

b comprehensive enumeration of the
,bvantaE1s 20 be derived from the in
s,auaJion Of q high-pTassure nrc-sarvice
system ia the business section OF wash
inEuon is being prepared by William T,
Belt Chief of the Fire Department. He
IS preparing a request Tor $4,000 from
Congress 10 provide tie city with such
system.
In compiling his explanation and the
necessary statistics, The Fire Chief viii
be assisted by many business men and
merchants Of the District. Last year he
obtained the approval Of the District
Commissioners for the plan.
At Work Early.
His failure during the last session Of
Congress to secure the necessary ap-
preparation for the improvement has not
discouraged him, as he realized at the
time that the request FOR the money was
made too late 20 receive extended con-
sideration. Business men look on the
proposition in the same light. and il is
confidently expected thar the appropria-
tion, or part OF it, viii be forthcoming
this winter.
The project az present IS to supply this
high-pressure system to the section Of
the city bounded by SIKH, I and Sew
enteenth Streets and Pennsylvania Ave-
nue. In order TO do this. q 53-inch main
would carry the water from the Sort
Reno reservoir and branch mains would
lead from the trunk main, thus sup
plying the territory menioned with
network OF smaller mains whose by
drants would be on every block.
Need No Engines.
The completion Of the project would
mean thar. in this section. IRE engines
would no longer be needed. ana those
In use In the business section could be
transferred to the suburbs in speaking
OF the necessity Of engines no longer
existing, Chief Belt said yesterday chat
owing TO the fact that Rem reservoir is
fl5 feet above tide level the pressure
from the mains would send water from
the hose with enough strength TO reach
70 the tops Of the highest buildings
A stream from these maIrs. he further
said. would In a short while knock
down the average brick wall. IL such a
steD became necessary
The great and leading recommended
ton for the system IS hat a more
speedy service could be given IN times
or danger from conhagrlti0ns. The
only outside implements needed would
be hose carts. The turning In Of an
alarm would bring the irenen with the
hose TO the point of danger ia less time
than is now the custom. as there would
be no waiting for the engine
Hose at Hydran-s.
The hose woaId be screwed TO the
Eydrauts. and. without q minutes de-
laz. the water could be turned on the
flames There would never occur the
delay now often experienced iu waiting
for the engines 90 get up steam. Also.
there would never be danger of steam
giving our. or coal running short In the
engines. The work OF the engines would
DC done Immediately and tnfaHiuEly 10y
the natural pressure OF the water from
the Reno reservoir.
'fhe system has been tried in other
large cities. said Chief Belt yesterday,
'and IFS results have been highly satls-
factory resulting -u avertlng lass that
would Inevitably have occurred had
there been the regular, oIL-fashi1ned
service i lHiuE. also. that il is h.1h
t-l1e for washington TO follow the ex-
ang-e OF other cities and protect its
business section 1y such system"
The new project 10 Is claimed. win
result I'm a reduction OF the Insurance
rates.
System at Providence.
A report on the Providence u. J.. Hfsr-
pressure fire-sarvlce system =av5-
'.Tha Insurance rates have been re-
cuced g per cent within the district
which il IS intended ga protect. and an
authority iu regard 10 insurance has
estimated that the holders of policies
within the district. VIII save iu ten
years. owing 30 smaller premiums being
paid. an amount which VIII exceed tha
total cost OF the entire system
During "a large fire last December
C.3J lu the opinion l5 the fire com
Ui-siOrerE and others. the system urae-
El-uy paid far -tsalf as the fire was
Kept Within the walls OF the building ir
which .t originated bv tae aid OF the
hr@L-ura -sure Gre-servlce."
The Indications are now that this
project WIN Doe more strongly advocated
before Congress during the coming sas-
sion than amy other scheme az muuI-
ciull Improvement. The District Com
UiFsioDeEz tEe Fire Department and
the business men are unit in their
aeterw. nation To secure the apgroDria-
ton necessary FOR its installation d.