The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-26
NOT A FIRE TEST.
Topeka Fire Department to
Give an Exhibition.
Will Be Done Next Week for
Visitors.
NO OTHER TEST NOW.
Chief Wilmarth Says Conditions
Would Favor Water Test.
New Engines Won't Be Here in
Time.
NO OTHER TEST NOW.


Fire Marshal Wilmarth is arrang-
fnR for a Service drill' at 10 o'clock
Thursday morning of Semi-Centennial
week, to be given on Quincy street in
front of the city hall. 1t will not be
a test of water pressure, but purely
spectacular display, for the benefit OF
visitors to the city who are interested
in seeing the work with the aerial
ladders, etc.
It was first suggested by Mayor
Bergundthal that test of water pres
sure be made, for the purpose of Civ
ing the water company the best pos
stbie chance to do good work. AS
good deal of interest was manifested
IA such a test, it was suggested that it
be made during the centennial This
plan was endorsed by the centennial
authorities.
But when 1t came up to Fire Mar
shall Wilmarth, 1t was found that
some practical obstacles were in the
way of combining test OF water
pressure with a spectacular display.
Conditions most suitable for each
purpose could not be successfully
combined, so the original purpose of
the plan was abandoned, and it was
decided to give a centennial test
which will merely be of spectacular
nature.
In speaking of the display, Chief
Wilmarth said today:
when the town is full of strangers,
and the hotels and restaurants are
running their stoves and ranges to
the full capacity. it is a bad time to
make any kind of a fire department
display, because such a time is exactly
when we should be most careful of
our resources and most prepared for
an emergency. If we should make
thorough test of water pressure, it
would necessitate laying down a large
amount OF hose. suppose a fire alarm
should come in while we had the
hose down; we would be delayed in
reaching the blaze.
1T is therefore bad plan to try to
make such an extensive test at a time
when especial vigilance is demanded.
do not know yet just what kind of
a display we will make. 1t depends
q good deal on the weather. If it
is windy, we would take less chances
than we could afford to take if it was
calm. do not expect to do a great
amount of water throwing in any
event, and what we do will be from
the hydrant and not from the
steamer.
I'VE will probably use our two-way
deluge set. and throw some heavy
streams. We will also show some YER
tical ladder climbing on the aerial
truck, and exemplify the use of other
ladders.
IF conditions are favorable at the
time, I may send in regular fire
alarm, and have the outlying compan-
les respond. If the weather is not calm
however, it would be unwise to cali in
the outlying companies. We have de-
cided to give this display at the city
hall because that building is an easy
one to get at, there being no wires in
the way, and no street cars passing 1t.
1t affords better place for people to
stand than most places in the city. The
drill will be arranged to show to some
extent how the alarm comes in, how
fought"
A drill arranged on the lines suggest
ed by Fire Marshal Wilmarth viii be Of
interest not only to the people from out
OF town, but to a great many Topeka
people who do not have a chance to see
how the Topeka fire department goes to
work on a big blaze. 1t would make
quite a thrilling spectacle to watch the
fremen fight an imaginary fire on the
roof of the Auditorium. The aerial
truck corps could show its speed in
putting two of its long ladders to the
roof, while the hose wagon laid Il Inc
and the chemical engine was working
up into the interior of the buiIdin,y
Meantime the hook and ladder truck
from No. station would coma, and put
up a couple more ladders, while the
hose from No. and No. 4 could be
directing more lines on the imaginary
fire.
1t is unfortunate that the two new
$4,000 fire engines which have been
purchased by the city will not be here
Tor this display. With these two new
engines, gorgeous in their new paint
and shimmering domes, the display of
water throwing could be made much
more interesting. With the small sized
engine loaned to the city by the firm
which is making the new engines for
Topeka, it is possible to throw 2 rs
inch stream IT'S feet up into the air,
which is abut half way up the side of
the dome of the state house. Both of
the new engines are more powerful
than this
IF we just had those new engines -
said Chief Wilmarth today, I'VE would
be able to show the people something
interesting in the way of water throw
ing But for the present do not think
it would be advisa BILE to try to make
the proposed display a water throwing
test. When the new engines come.
such a test will have to be made and
so there is no practical advantage in
trying to make the test just now