The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-01-19
FROM
PRESIDENT WRIT,
Presents Water Co.'S. Side Re-
garding Water For Fire
Protection.
Tests Show Supply to be Good.

IL oeeHiS undVOluaDle, tnpt after
every fire there should be adverse
criticism and general fault finding
with the water supply of this town
tor fire protection. 1t is almost in
variably the case that a certain
amount of cussing of the Water
Company, its system and manage
ment must be INDUCED in after
every fire. The Town Council as
we'll as individuals all take a hand
III it. That this periodical fault
finding is based principally upon
rumors and mistakes the Water
Company stands ready and willing
at any and all times to prove.
In the first place, there has been
invested by the Bloomsbury Water
Company about eighty thousand
dollars for the benefit of the town
alone; that is to say, that amount
has been spent by the Company for
fire protection for it's citizens in its
enlarged reservoir, piping and en-
gines.
With nearly half of the expendi-
ture made by this company as their
system now is, the town could have
been supplied for years with water
for ordinary purposes outside of
fires.
In every instance of enlargement
or improvement, the question of
fire supply came first, was first con.
sidered, and this absolutely and
particularly for the safety of the
homes, stores, factories and mills
of the citizens of this town.
For this enormous outlay, in ex-
cess of what would have been
sufficient to afford only so much
water as would be used in the
regular way, the Bloomsbury Water
Company received from the town
Tor fire protection the munifcent
sum of twenty dollars per fire plug
less money than nine out of ten
OF the towns throughout the land
are paying for similar service.
The town pays the Water Com
pany about one and a half per cent.
on the money invested for the sole
benefit OF the town, that flames may
not sweep it out of existence some
day or night. The reduced rate of
insurance to the residents of the
town by reason of the fire protec-
tion offered by the Bloomsbury
Water Company's system makes up
more than twice over the amount
paid the Water Company by the
town. These are facts stated, and
if any one will but take the trouble
to look into it at any time they may
be corroborated. The Water Com
pany will cheerfully assist at any
sober investigation Of the subject.
These matters are more particu-
larly referred to because of the kick
that invariably comes along after a
fire, about the time the town
authorities are considering the
water rents tor fire plugs.
BY recent practical test by insur-
ance authorities, it ought to be a
known fact that the water supply
in this town in case of fire stands
close to the head of the list. Those
whose business life depends upon it
have thoroughly investigated and
so report.
The fremen of this town are to
be heartily commended for their
efficiency, pluck and endurance,
and every effort should be made to
care for them who so willingly give
their time, money and effort to save
But at the same time it
may not be amiss that the Council
or those in authority who control
the fire department, see to it that
the boys know how to open and
close fire plug, and how to do it
quickly and to see to it that they
have the proper tools to do it with.
AT the recent Wooleu Mill fire
two or three men together tried to
open plug by turning it the wrong
way and breaking wrenches and
much delay was caused. This
occurs at nearly every fire. For
years the Water Company have
been constantly following the wake
Of a fire, repairing plugs that have
been badly handled. Delay in get
ling stream upon the fire neces-
'arily follows when for ten or fifteen
minutes some one is trying to open
up plug by operating it in the
wrong way. There is certainly
disaster in this kind of delay and
he Water Company also should
lot be held responsible for it. The