Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-23
WHAT WAS SAID.
CONTINUED from page ~

In these days of great fire department
organizations it is surprising to look
back and note that great city like
Chicago depended for its protection on
ten or twelve steamers drafting water
very largely from Lake Michigan. At
that time there was but one system of
public water-wcrbs and hydrant sys-
tenn in the whole State of Maine and
that was put in at Portland after their
fire of 1865, and some of this was wood
en- pipes. only twenty years ago, out
side of Portland. Lewiston. and Bangor
there WAS not first class hydrant
system of water-wOrks in Maine. To-
day there are no less than fifty-five
complete and we'll built systems. The
amount of money invested in all these
plants runs way up into the millions
and yet. strange as it may seem, the
loss ratio by fire in the State has beer
practically as large during this period
as at any time in our history, and il
seems. in the light of experience. all
most like throwing money away to
spend SO much in prevention and then
not prevent.
Taking our own city as an example,
/ hazard the opinion. after having Wis
:ted every city in New England, that so
far as construction is concerned Their :,
is not 4 better street than Water street
in that territory Nearly all built Of
brick with Il reasonable number of fir,
walls cutting up the section into small
areas. without scarcely any manufac-
turing. which is so generally sand
wichel all through Massachusetts
pbnIo cln ;t;n ,r
similar size. with a water pressure
greater than is found almost anywhere
and with an unlimited supply always
behind it. our fire department on either
side of the river and within three min
utes run to Water street, ana yet, last
year the losses on this street were prac-
tically $4,000. While the past year
has been exceptional. perhaps, yet We
all recall the numerous smaller free
that have occurred from time to tinH
like the burning of the Opera House
twice. Hotel North a like number OF
times. Darby Block the Sturgis Block
on the corner of Bridge and Water
streets, and the opposite corner where
the coughin Drug store now is.
l have never thought but our fire de-
partment is rs We'll manned and fires
perhaps as Wen handled rs similar
cities. but situated as we are. with ou.
entire business on one street and thai
all huddled in between the Eines' Hi
crossing and the foot of Sand hill. witt
no practical way to extend in any di-
dection. it certainly behooves us to pro
tect to the utmost this small territory
1t seems to me a great misfortune
hat when Water raIN1Ii1t
ter the fire of 1865 that it was rot lai,
cut wider. l presume the reason for i
is the limited space between the rive
and the big hills leading to State street
Considering the relation that Waite,
street bears to the business and tn
wealth of the entire city, feel that W.
should DO something to better protec,
this limited area. l have no doubt thar
two-thirds of the tax levy of this cit,
is paid by the men who own rropert<
and DO business Oh this street 1 real
iZe that whatever we ask for mus
come within our means for our tax rat,
is already far too high.
| would make these suggestions TO
your consideration:
First: That there should be at leas.
ore man as Chief Engineer whose en-
tire time should be devoted to looking
after all Fire Department matters:
that beside his duties as Chief he
should be Ruilding Inspector witt
power to enforce his demands anG
every cellar and attic and storage plac.
on the business streets on both sides OF
the river should be visited at least once
month, and all these pllces be iept
clean and meet. While the city team:
are hauling Off, frea'of expense, all III.
rubbish that is handed out to them il
would uIoriSe you to see the Tubbis,
piled up near the heaters in some of III.
cellars On Water street. If this paiG
official could famiiarize himself witt
the Lest methods Of electric wiring. SC
as 20 know if all the wires were cor.
rccty rim, so much the better.
Second: This official should have
headquarters at a fire station on Water
street where should be installed ir
addition to our present equipment, q
light chemical engine that could be
"rs:iy handled and to be used for small
fires. The trouble now is. if the fire i.
slight. line of hose is attached to ou
tremendous pressure and everything ir
the building is ruined by the water by
the time the fire is out There are quit
Z number of buildings both on and off
Water street, where fire escapes should
be Installed. There is no city in the
state where there are 50 few as in Au-
susta. They not only help in leaving
a burning building but they aid the
firemen in reaching otherwise inacces-
sible fires.
Under our building laws large area
stores should be discouraged
Fourth: An effort should be made at
once and continued to close up either
permanently or by automatic fire doors
al openings in divisions walls.
It would also greatly prevent the
spread Of fire if all these division walls
could h" extended one to two feet
above the roof.
There are almost inumerable other
suggestions that might be made to
help the situation before the millennium
is reached but all involving expense
AMI as business men we must always
bear in mind that our tax rate is
twonty-six mills and our tax payers
will not and ought not stand any in