New-York tribune., 1908-12-18
FEAR WATER FAILURES
Fire Under1criters Looking Into
FIazcs in High Pressure System.

Peril from fire owing to the recent failures of the
high pressure service in Manhattan has reCelv ed
quick consideration from the fire underwriters and
merchants in the borough. The latter have q SO
taken UP the night Of the underwriters for new
alarm system, and IL was learned yesterday that
Mayor Mcclellan has promised TO remedy cond-
tions pointed out 70 him as likely 10 derange the
fire alarm cables at almost any time
The officials Of the Water Department in charge
OF the new high pressure system have been asked
hv many for an explanation. they feared that
there might be something fundamentally wrong with
what it had been promised. would reduce the ire
risks greatly For all u these there was an IN
sver ready. This IN the main that = as
the iremen knew how t. handle the new connec-
tions the subway constructions in the districts
where the high pressure system had been install 81
were completed failures would be practically i'm
possible II was said Furthermore that some ar
raueements would be made with the subway con-
tractors
Il was the subway construction that disabled he
system when the FIRE al No 218 70 21s Grand street
occurred on Wednesday Commissioner OBrien s
chief engineer I NJ De Verona. said Yesterday
that long the great mains Of the high press
ure service were exposed weather conditions would
Be bound to affect them adversely The main near
the fire Wednesday mad been damaged before
the blaze This damage could not be seen. beca use
the break was concealed by The wooden covering
Of the street put there by the contractors. There
were Two shLt-offs that would have been closed at
once r the leak had been known Of
Then the freuen must always bear the great
pressure IN mind Even under the old method the
hose would sometimes get away from the men.
Under the great pressure the precautions must be
greater but the results the installation OF
the high pressure service as remarkably efficient
fire control The accidents that have occurred are
similar what has happened in the beginning Of
some of the greatest improvements known TO man
We take these things phlosophicallv. We are
not likely. IN fact have another accident for an
indefinite time although 50 long the mains are
exposed in Centre street there will be grave risks"
Mr.. de Varona said that the expansion and con-
traction caused by the frequent changes I'm tenn
perature would eudanger the exposed mains ro a
great degree
G @. Smith, the secretary Of the German AnIeri-
Fire Insurance Company. one Of a comm ttee
that al an expense Of about S25 COO. had tine fire
alarm system investigated and exposed what they
considered grave dangers TO the city, has the
Department of Water Supply officials several times
the beginning OF the insts iation u the high
pressure service He not particularly disCuur-
aged by the accidents failures Of the sys
TEN TO work critical times.
Like all things. he given time
get into shape" he said THAT the IRE underwrt-
believe that the high pressure service will di-
ninish the FIRE risk has been shown by the reduc-
tiOn in rates OF insurance When the system Is
thoroughly understood and all the danger points
IT'S efficiency removed Will have the finest
fire protection eXtant But must not under
the belief that coufagration Is impossbility-"