Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-24
WILL MEAN REDUCTION OF
LOCAL INSURANCE RATES

A~PSAtS VI tDe committees appointed
at a previous meeting were heard
The meeting was called 10 order by
w. S. Foutz and A. $. Booker was
elected secretary.
The committee on equipment
recommended a brick central fire
station, equipped with a two-horse
hose wagon. 1000 feet of hose.
hand chemical extinguishers. a COM
bination two-horse chemical engine
and ladder truck and not less than
six paid men who will be required
TO be on duty at all times, with not
less than ten volunteer fremen to
be trained by the regular fremen.
This committee also recommended
that a hand-drawn hose reel be To-
Gated near North street in South
Bluefield, with an organized volun-
teer fire company; that an ap-
proved electric fire alarm system
with sufficient boxes to cover the
town be installed: that the water
works system be improved by in
stalling larger mains and by putting
and keeping all hydrants in condi-
ton, and that fire limits be estab-
lished and strictly maintained. The
report was adopted
The committee on location recon-
mended that the central fire station.
now located at the city hall. be
moved to lot near the government
building and that a suitable build
ing be erected on said lot: that sta
lion NO. be located on the rear
OF the Norfolk and Western lot AT
the corner of Mercer and Pulaski
streets and a suitable building be
erected TO accommodate a chemical
engine and a combination hose and
ladder wagon with team Of horses
and two paid men to be on duty at
all times; that a suitable room he
rented in South Bluefield to accom-
modate a man-pulled reel with a
volunteer force; also a small hose
house in the west end near the
brewery. This report was also
adopted.
ID. w. Garfield, chief of the West
Virginia Fire Inspection bureau.
was asked to address the meeting
and tell what difference the new
equipment would make in insur-
ance rates. He took for example n
three-story brick business block and
said that. in case the suggestions of
the committees were followed.
where the rate now is ST IT would
be .52. If it we're not for various
defects in the buildings the rate
would be .OS cheaper making it 40,
clear saving of .0S.
In the case of a two-story build
ing where the rate now is 81 a re-
duction of .G5 would follow. IF It
were not for various defects i'm this
building the rate would be 20 low
eF than at present.
In the case of dwellings away
from sufficient pressure where a
rate Of 81 applies the underwriters
will recommend a rate of 20 If the
chemical engines are secured. He
also quoted the rates on other I'M
protected buildings, saying that a
recommendation of at least 80
cents reduction would be made If
an approved chemical engine was
secured.
Mr. Kenna, of Charleston, spoke
in favor of the chemical engine
manufactured by the Kanawha
Chemical Engine Manufacturing
company. He mentioned several
demonstrations made by his compa-
ny and explained the process of US
ing the chemical engine.
Mr.. Pease, representing the Game
well Fire Alarm Telegraph Compa.
ny, went over the fire alarm mater
and said that I'm his opinion the city
would need a system using about
sixteen boxes, and gave as an esti-
mate that the installing of such 4
system would cost about $4,000 ont.
side Of the cost Of the wire.
Mr.. Hawley, for the Bluefeld Tel
cphone Company. said his company
would furnish the poles free and
also give permission to the city 10
use the poles free OF charge. Mr..
Pease said this would be a big .tem
and would save the city quite a
SUM.
Mr. Pearson moved that the ,om.
mittee on equipment confer with
the fire apparatus men who were
present and find out what the csti.
mated cost Of installing such sys-
tenn would be and to make a report
TO the council at their next meeting
The motion carried.
Mr.. spieden, chairman Of the com
mittee on entertainment. reportei
that the entertainment to be ziyer
at the opera house on Friday might
by the Elks would be a success. az
over 500 tickets had already been
sold. The tickets went on sale yes.
terday morning and can be had III
the White Pharmacy
The chair on motion Of Mr. Ruff
appointed a committee to solicit
contributions for the purchase oil
continent This committee v-os O.,