Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-21
STATE FIRE PREVENTION COM.
MlTTEE PAYS HIGH coMPLl.
MENr TO CITY.
FACILITIES ARE FAR
AHEAD OF OTHER TOWNS
Chairman Carpenter Inspecting Local
Conditions With Other Members Of
Committee, Declares Marshalltown in
So Much Better Shape as to Be
Worthy Of Notice.

protection to her manufacturing insti-
tutions and residence districts than any
other city of its class in the state is
declared by j. D. Carpenter, of Des
Moines, and the other members of the
fire protection and water supply COM
vention Association, now investigating
local fire protection conditions.
Mr.. Carpenter, B. T. Hough, w. A
Hand and w. NJ. Palmer, who form the
committee, arrived in the city Tues
day afternoon, and at once began an
investigation OF the city's facilities for
lighting fires, and protecting property
and life in cases of emergencies result
ing from fires
Best of Its Class.
When seen this morning, the mem
bers OF the committee expressed them
selves as not only being agreeaby
surprised. but highly pleased at the re-
suit of their Inspection Chairman Car
! penter said:
"Marshalltown is in better shape
than any other city of its class that
we have 50 far visited in the state. and
from all that we can learn conditions
are to be even better. AT present you
people here are in so much better shape
than Oskaloosa, Fort Dodge and Ma
son City that we feel as tho we would
like 70 and should call public attention
70 the difference in conditions here and
of your class that we have mentioned.
There is no particular reason. as
we can see, Why Marshalfown should
be so far ahead of these other cities.
some of which are older. yet the con-
ditions are here TO speak for them
selves. You are fortunate in having
natural advantages as against Oska-
loosa and Fort Dodge, which have
heavy lifts to get their water"
Investigate General Conditions.
While here the committee investi-
gated general conditions, both al the
fire stations and at the pumping sta
ton. The efficiency of the fire depart
ment was looked into thoroughly, and
Chairman Carpenter complimented
Chief Kirby personally on his appar-
emit conscientious and painstaking SUI
pervision of the department. A test
hitch was made for the committee
at central station, and at the pumping
station the committee was shown how
quickly pressure could be raised and
maintained in the event of fire. Chair
man Carpenter declared the pressure
to be perfectly adequate.
Other conditions investigated were
alleys, Easements. fire escapes and gem
eral condition of premises. Mr. Car
penter thinks that placing in the hands
of the fire chief authority to regulate
the condition of Easements and alleys
a very commendable and businesslike
method of overcoming some of the
dangers that threaten community
Data We're secured by the committee
on fires that took place before the
paid department was installed. and the
fires that have resulted and been COPIED
with by the paid department. The only
heavy loss since the paid department
was installed was the Iowa Central car
shops.
Improvements Contemplated.
The committee was outlined the i'm
provements 10 the service that are now
either in process of fulfillment or un-
DER contemplation, ana THESE We're pro-
nounced to be proper steps TO take to
make the situation even better than at
present. The installation of sprinkler
systems by factories, and the main
/ tenance of a higher pressure al the
pumping station; the erection of "a
standpipe to overcome the direct pres
sure on the mains during the progress
of fire: the rebuilding of the south
side station, and the installation of a
new fire station in the east end fac
| tory district were all outlined and
commended as worthy objects to work
! for.