The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-06


which was almost as full of inaccu-
racies as his present effusiOn. But at
that time Mr.. Johnson seemed to find
that nearly everything was in good
shape here. The only important rec
Ommendation he made was the pur-
chase of aerial truck, and that has
been done. 1t will probably be news
to most people that the Topeka fire
department and the water service has
become so utterly out of date and use
less in the four years time which has
elapsed between Mr.. JOhnsOns 1900
report and his 1904 report. Evidently
Mr.. Johnson's last report is INSPIRED"
Fire Marshal Wilmarth this morn
ing made an estimate on the probable
cost of the improvements suggested by
Mr.. Johnson, and it footed up to $32,-
956. The following items are includ-
ed in addition to the two new fire
steamers recently ordered at cost of
$4,000:
1000 feet hose.
combination wagons.
Six fire alarm boxes.
Poles and lines for constructing
same.
Storage battery.
Two 2-horse chemical engines.
Two steam fire engines.
Two engine heaters.
Ten additional horses.
Five sets of harness.
Two new fire stations.
Additions to three existing stations.
Two electric gongs and equipment.
Eighteen beds and equipment for
men.
Connecting cisterns with mains.
To keep the additional apparatus in
service, Is new men will nave to be
employed, and the salaries of these men
and the feed for 10 horses would cost
about S15,500 per year. No allowance
is made for repairs to apparatus, re-
placing hose. or incidental expenses.
Chief Wilmarth says: Mr.. Johnson's
report is all very we'll but Mr.. Johnson
does not pay taxes here. We are i'm
proving our department as rapidly as
the city can afford to improve it. Mr..
Johnson's recommendation of the pur-
chase of two combination hose and
chemical wagons is unnecessary in q
city of this size; we don't need such
wagons. His recommendation for the
purchase of new hose is unnecessary
because we have our full quota of hose,
and the city buys more whenever nee
essary; the storage battery which he
advises is all right, but our cell battery
gives splendid satisfaction at small eX-
pense; his statement that our fire els
terms are dry is wholly erroneous. They
are kept full all the time. AS to addi-
tfonal service for unprotected districts,
that is something 1 nave advised for
some time and the city will give it as
soon as it feels able. Mr.. Johnson
complimented the manual organization
of our department highly; when he
speaks of reorganizing the department,
he means to reOrganize it on the basis
of engine companies, instead of trying
TO rely on direct pressure.
The following is Mr.. JOhnsOn's latest
report prepared, apparently, for the
purpose Of bolstering up the 20 per cent
advance made by the fire insurance
combine:
Fire department-There should be at
least 2, 900 feet of additional first class
hose for emergency use.
1.-THE present four-wheeI hose car
rage wheels should be replaced with
chemical combination and hose wgaons,
each with 50-gallon capacity cylinder.
There should be at least six addi-
tional fire alarm boxes, and the pres
ent battery should be replaced by an
improved storage battery.
The city ordinances should be
amended so as to restrict the excessive
amount of powder kept for sale within
the business section, and the excessive
quantity of fixed ammunition stored in
mercantile buildings. Each case of this
charged ammunition weighs 20 pounds,
and SIS cases have been stored n some
Instances
IAN additional fire company should
be organized and furnished with a
chemical engine of double so gallons
capacity, with necessary service equip
ment, and located at vicinity of Cen
ter park or southwestern section of the
city; also a similar company and equip
ment. located within the Potwin resi-
Dental section. Both sections are
without water facilities for fire pro
lection
-Four of the present hose companies,
located nearest the COngeSIed merCan-
tile section, should be reorganized,
each company furnished with one mod
EN- constructed second class steam fire
engine, permanently employed engineer.
stol1er. driver and team of horses and
necessary service equipment Deepen
dence cannot be placed on the present
inadequate direct pressure system for
fire Drotection.)
1.-THE Water Supply-There is a ne
cessity for installing an additional
pumping engine, daily pumping capaci-
ty not less than 5000, 900 gallons, also
with increased boiler power. to reen-
force the present and additional re-
quirements at the upper or main pump
ing station.
IAN additional 24-inch diameter
standard cast iron delivery main should
extend from the pumping station and
connect with the distributing system
Both delivery mains should be extend
ed through safe and solid ground
There is a necessity for extending
mains and laterals, of not less than six
and eight inches in diameter, within
the east, southeast and southern sec
lions; also, within the business section
mains Of larger diameter are required
1Or reinforcing the present system
and the replacing of the excessive