New-York tribune., 1908-02-01
HOSE INQUIRY REPORT
HITS I4NTRY md BINNS.
Watcr, but Poor Manage
meRt, at Parker Fire. 1t Says.

The long expected report Of the Commissioners
of Accounts the conditions which resulted in
the bursting OF hose and the loss Of three HY"S
at the Parker Building fire given out late
yesterday afternoon by Mayor Mcclellan. In it
DEPUTY Chief John Binns comes in fer the lions
share Of the blame Fire commissioner Francis
J. Lantry * criticised because he did not make
greater efforts 10 get appropriations fer supplies
which Chief Croker and others told him were
needed. Moreover. the Commissioners Of Ae-
counts john Purroy Mitchell and Philip b Cay
nor. declare il question whether Lantry, III
leaving much to his subordinates. was not
guilty Of a breach of duty They recommend
that the subject be referred TO the Corporation
Counsel for an opinion.
The report shows the Fire department has only
50 per cent of serviceabIe hose, and that 4096
lengths Should purchased at once at a cost of
$249.117. to be obtained by special bond issue
of s250.0C0, At the Parker Building fire. wit
nesses testified thirty-ore lengths Of hose burst
and twenty lengths We're burned or cut
Not only Lautry but his predecessors come in
for some bitter medicine for the report refers to
the inadequata funds obtained for fire hose and
says: 1t would appear that no adequate attempt
has been made within the last four years TO ob-
tain funds for hose" Since January 1. 1904. the
Fire Commissioners have been Nicholas J. Hayes,
John II. .O'Brien and Lantry. The Board Of Al
dernen and the Board cf Estimate are also sad
died with part OF the responsibility in not grant
ing appropriations for new hose.
Going bacl, 10 Lantry-s case. the report says
eraI terms by Chief Croker after he took
office that more hose needed and that the
Chief recommended an appropriation of 100000
for the purpose. Lartry considered that more
specific information Unnecessary and on
January 10. 1907. placed before the Board of Al
dermen d request for a special 100000 bond
issue for hose. The report holds that II La1try
had obtained from his subordnates statements
as to the exact condition of the hose such sta
tistics would have enabled him TO show the Board
OF Aldermen and the Board Of Estimate that his
request based not only upon a pressing need
of the department but upon grave danger
menacng the city. 4 request that it would have
been difficult for either body to deny or defer.
He is further criticised because he did find
out how much pressure the hose could stand
since the high pressure mains are working IN
Brooklyn and viii soon be open in Manhattan.
Deputy Chief Binns testified before the COM
missioners that he ordered Deputy Chief Lang
ford to draw his men out Of the building at tle
Parker fire Henry VoIk. of Engine -. who car
ried the message, declared Binns said that Lang
ford and his men should stay under the fire and
away from the walls" Langford ccrroborateJ
Nolk, the report makes this conclusion: The
loss of life due to the lack OF foresight and
proper precautionary measures. and TO the poor
management on the part Of the officer in charge
From the evidence II Appealed that at the Parker
Building IRE FIVE engines We're attached to hy-
drants 4 six-inch man IN 18th street and four
to a siX-inch main in 18th street, although Chief
Croker testified that only standard sized engine
ceuld get sufficient water from Il SiE-inch MAN.
Both Croker and BjUns thought the water supply
wls insufficient. Deputy Commissioner Bonner said
there enough. The report agrees with him,
and says: The lack Of efficient streams Of water
was due TO an uninteIligent distribution Of APP
paratus and to defective hose"
Following its recommendation for the purchase
Of new hose report urges that Immediately after
such purchase all hose which has been used be
tween three and six years should be tested. and
that all hose over six years old should be con
demned. The rule requiring the chief of the de-
partment 70 be present when apparatus is tested
before acceptance should be enforced it says
and steps should be taken by the department TO
enforce the guarantee Of defaulting hose contrac-
tors and their sureties.'' It is also recommended
that the NV hose should be placed in the danger
zones and the older grade in the outlying sections
OF the city The Windsor brand OF hose IS called
q. brand whose service has demonstrated its in
ferior quality" The former head of the Windsor
company vas NJ. T. Loushman, now Deputy Water
Commissioner
A promise Of what will he done the coming
INVESTIGATION into everything in the department
VAS made by the commission in referring to Chief
Croker's testimony shat he had become discouraged
bv making Intellectual recommendations for new
apparatus The comissoners say that this is (
grave charge that VIII receive our fullest con
siGeration in the general inquiry.
The first important action taken at the regular
meeting OF the Board of Estimate and Apporton-
rn.nt Yesterday morning Was the adoption OF res
o,ton appropIiating $4,000 for Few fire hose This
hose VIII be advertised Tor at once. A coninunica-
tjou WAS received from Commissioner LaAtry ask
iny for an Immediate appropriation for placing the
ne,- hieh pressure water service in commission
The remainder of the Brooklyn will be in op-
eratio3 next week and thai of the Borough OF
Manhattan next month