The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-17
FIRE CHIEF ANGRY
BECKER SAYS PRESSURE
WAS WEAK.
C~ompany's Representative Says It Was
Not, But Is Supported by the
Pressure Indicator.

In the face OF statements made by Water
Superintendent Cornelius p. Nolan, or
SoutA Orange village, and by Village Clerk
NJ. A. Fitzsimmons that the water pres
sure was 100 pounds all during the big IRE
in that village Wednesday, night, FIRE
Chief Harry ]. Becker, of South Orange,
insists tina the pressure was low and not
sufficient to carry the water above a sec
ond story.
The pressure was down to sixty
pounds" said he today, land II the num-
Der of streams attached were responsible
we might just as well do away with all
but one length of hose and thus have high
One of the water company's officials,
who was in the village yesterday, ac-
cording TO Chief Becker, said that South
Orange could have 175 pounds pressure IL
1t wanted 1t, should a switch in Millburn
he turned off. But even this would not
save the village from destruction in case
of a big blaze, according TO the South
Orange chief, for 1t might take an hour
or two to get to the turn-off In Millburn.
The water company's man also said that
the South Orange firemen would get more
good out of four streams than with nine,
which wcre ON.
'If it is in the company's power to give
high pressure we' have it and not
have to wait for pressure to be turned on"
Chief Becker continued. In my opinion
there are too many towns being supplied
by the same company naming Millhurn,
Irvington and West Orange. !,
When South Orange signed "a contract
for water with the Summit company" he
went on. there was no kick about low
pressure and in my estimation that is the
reason why we are now having a low
s pressure
The Indicator in the Village Hall shows
that the pressure was ct 100 pounds when
the fire started and during the time OF the
blaze lowered to 80 pounds.
On the night of the fire, when the first
streams We're turned on, the water pressure
did not throw a stream to reach the second
story of the buildings. The. company was
notified of the low pressure by Police ser
geant Thomas Sherry, of South Orange,
upon the request of Village trustee HOW
land d. Perrine.
No Increase was noticed, and Mr.. Per-
rine himself telephoned to the company,.s
men. saying that the contract with South
Orange would be discontinued II more
pressure We're not given Immediately. and
q short time after the threat q noted in
creased pressure was given, and the water
Complny's men 'phoned to the police SEX
geant asking If the pressure was all right,
saving they had extra pumps working. =.
The company's man who was In South
Orange yesterday said, according to village
Clerk NJ. A. Fitzsimmons. that no increase
was given. nor were there any extra pumps
put sto work.
The chief advocates that the Village
Trustees act upon the matter and In some
manner get more pressure. but whether by
the purchase of a steam fire engine or a
stand-pipe he did not say. He Will. SEND a
report to the village officials at their meet
ing Monday night, =,
Chief Becker has already recommended
to the Village Board of Trustees the ID,
stallation of a fire alarm system, and
he said yesterday that he had also asked
for 1000 feet more of hose In his annual
report to the officials. last January. TINS
he said they have done nothing ABOUT, So
promised, but none has been as yet re-
ceiVed. 49, rta