The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04

provided with a hook and ladder truck.
which has already been ordered and
company OF sufficient strength TO cope
with such fires as may occur will be
placed IN charge.
At the present time the nearest hook
and ladder companies are; Hook and
Ladder No. g. located on Douglas ave-
nue.. and Hook and Ladder No. 6. located
at the corner OF Atwells avenue and
America street. Both OF these companies
are too distantly located TO render the
service which is required. and the new
company will be In a position not only
10 protect the property I'm that imme-
date section. but will also relieve the
companies named from long and arduous
calls.
The fire commissioners are Of the opin-
ion that the station on Central street,
occupied by Hose company No. 13, should
be rsmodelsd and enlarged. This station
was built In 1S74-76 and. at that time,
furnished accommodations for but two
men. AZ the present time ths company
consists OF eight men. and although the
interior Of the station in some particulars
has been rearranged. yet the building m
practically the same as when first occu-
pied. The hose company located at this
point Is one of the most important IN the
city being located In a district where
the risks are moro numerous and danger
Gus. and being called to respond TO a
greater number Of alarms each year. The
arrangement OF the quarters which they
occupy is poorly calculated to add 10 the
comfort OF the men or TO promote the
efffciency OF the servicc and the uues-
ton Of making the changes desired should
be considered by the city council at as
early a date as possible
NEEDS OF EIArwooD SECTION.
The commissioners say mat nearly
two years ago they called the attention
of the city council 60 the fact that the
needs OF the Eumwood section required
that that portion OF the building on
Greenwich street formerly occupied as
the Seventh police station. should be
utilized for FIRE department purposea, and
that II was ths intention Of me board.
I'm case action had been taken In accord
ance with their recommendation 10 place
an engine. to be run IN conjunctkon with
Hose company No IL. IN service ne this
station The section referred 20 has
grown very rapidly and the property
values are constantly Increasing. and
yet the protection which the fire depart
ment affords Is far from what II should
be. The hydrant pressure Is none too
effective, but reliance must be almost
wholly placed upon IT, as the nearest
engine is located at the corner of Burn
side and Public streets. nearly a mNs
away and considerable time necess ssariiy
must elapse before Il can be brought
into service.
In the opinion Of the board. II the rec
ommendafion made at the time referred
to could be carried into effect, Il would
result in giving to this district tho pro-
lection which Is actually needed, and
which the board, with the present facili-
ties. are unable TO AFFORD
At the meeting OF the common council.
held November and. 1908. a report was
submitted by the board Of fre commas
sioners recommending that better ia
cilities be provided for protection against
fire in that section OF the city situated
east OF Ives street and extending from
Pitman street northerly 70 ths city line.
This report was referred to the Joint
standing committee on city property and
no action has been taken thereon.
The question OF utilizing the separate
water service as a primary supply for all
properties desiring the same. which are
located upon the line thereof. and which
are equipped with automatic sprinklers,
was fully considered during the year by
the fire commissioners. the commissioner
Of public works and representatives OF
the insurance companies.
AS was pointed out at that tine, II
was feared that ''in case Of necessity the
six inch service along Westminster street
IL a great demand was made upon IL In
case Of fire, would prove entirely inef-
ficient to cope with the situation. and
serious trouble and terrible fre loss
would be the result from reliance upon
this small pipe. which Is already over
loaded; and the great increase In area
and height to buildings along this street:
enormous values that are becoming con-
centrated at several points; render II
necessary for the authorities to guard
against any possible disaster which might
occur through insufficient supply of water
I'm time OF great need"
The commissioners were Of the opinion
that inasmuch as the separate service
was expressly installed for fire purposes.
its extension along any lines where the
protection could be increased. without de-
triment TO the system, would be a step
I'm the right direction. and they therefore
gave their hearty approval to the plan
suggested by the insurance interests and
recommended to the commissioners of pub
lie works. who has sole charge OF all mat
ters pertaining to the water service. that
connections be allowed to be made. under
such restrictions and subject to such con-
ditions as he might prescribe.
This permission has been granted and
the commissioners believe that the prop
critics along this line, which are Thus con-
nected are assured of the Jest protec-
tion which 1t is possible for them to OBJ
tain.
PUBLIC PARKS.
During the past year the board of park
commissioners has lost by death its chair
man. the Honorable Frank +. Olney,
mayor of this city from 1884 to 1896, and
park commissioner from January, 1896. IL
ls to he hoped. when the vacancy Is filed
by tho city council that you will elect
one who will be as interested I'm his work
and rs faithful in its performance az was
Colonel Oney.
At Roger Williams park the Anna III.
Man Memorial Gates have been erected
at the Elmwood avenue entrance. These
gates are of bronze. with granite posts,
and are imposing and massive in their
construction and are a fitting tribute To
the memory Of the late Miss Man, whose
generous gift to the city. in trust, the i'm
come thereof 10 be expended in the care
and Improvement OF this park. should NOT
be forgotten.
The fishing in the lakes at this park
which were opened TO the public forSfhat
purpose on the first day OF July last, has
proved very attractive and afforded much
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