The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-17
Chief Wilmarth Makes Excellent
Record.
OODWATER PRESSURE
No Trouble to Keep It Up to the
Standard.
New Hydrants Have Not Yet Been
Put In.

Fire Marshal c.. 0. Wilmarth's an
nual report for the fiscal year ending
March 81. 1905, which is now near
ing completion and viii soon be pre-
scented to the city council. viii show
that Chief Wilmarth has made a saw
ing of $2.609.93 on his estimate of
running expenses as made at the be-
ginning of the year.
The total actual expense for the
year was s45.466.44. In his estimate
Chief Wilmarth figured that it would
take S48,076.37 to maintain the de-
partment.
About half of the saving was made
on the cost of putting the new fire
steamer into service. Instead of cost
Ing $40 O94-48 to pay the running ex-
penses for the steamer, it has cost
only S8,862. The steamers have been
badly needed at only one fire since
their purchase; that was the Green
valid hre, and it is probable that at
this one fire the steamers saved at
least the full cost of their mainten-
2nce during the year. That fire was
under tremendous Roadway when the
department arrived and was increased
4n its fury by severaI terrific explO-
siOns of smoke. The stock of clothing
was ruined but the damage to the
building was comparatively slight,
owing to the powerful streams of
water which were brought to bear
from the rear where the steamer was
stationed.
on the maintenance of the rest of
the fire fighting apparatus and pay
ment of firemen, the sum of S37, 97S-S9
has been expended during the year.
The estimate on the expense of this
was s36,6O3.66.
In speaking of the good showing
made by the department during the
year, Chief Wilmarth says:
we have accomplished this saving
by simply watching every little item of
expense, cutting down here and there,
and saving in every way possible with
out gripping the work of the depart
Enent. We have not allowed the de-
partment to suffer.
eThe report will show a saving of
$2,609.93, but as a matter of fact the
actual saving under the estimate will
be just about $4,000. This is because
there are a few bills for material pur-
chased in the fiscal year which are not
yet in, and which could not for that
reason be included in that report.
we have had good luck during the year
and we have not had any horses killed.
There have not been many cases of sick
ness or injury and the conditions have
on the whole been favOra bic to saving
money. The showing is very satisfactory
to me. The estimate which I made at
the opening Of the year was cut as close
as It could be cut in the limits OF safety,
1n it."
Water Pressure Good.
Tt is interesting to observe that since
the city took charge of the water plant
the good pressure which was established
by the water company during the latter
days of its management has been not on
ly maintained, but has even shown a
slight gradual increase. This indicates
that the plant is capable of doing excel
lent work; that the charge that the wa
yer company was driving the plant at
forced pressure in order to maintain the
reputation of the concern and make a sale
to the city, is unfOunded.
Domestic pressure has been kept at a
higher point lately than ever before The
self-recordiug gauge at department head
quarters shows that from 50 to 50 pounds
IS now the average domestic pressure
while for fires the pressure goes Up al
most to 120 pounds at night and to about
10 in day time
The water department has not yet put in
the new fire hydrants ordered for the
4owman Hill and Washburn college OK
tensions, but it is probable that they will
soon be ready for use. They have been
ordered from the factory and will be put
in as soon as received.