Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-26
THIS CITY. TAGGING
Behind the Times in Motor
Fire-Fighting Apparatus.
CHIEF WAGNER ADMITS 1T
Tells Of Improvements Shown at
Grand Rapids Convention.
PROMPT ADOPTION IS URGED
Cost Of Maintaining Engine and
Hose Wagon at Springfield, Ohio,
Only II Cents a Day.
CHIEF WAGNER ADMITS 1T
PROMPT ADOPTION IS URGED

/ IHdl washington Is I1lQueS-
tionably behind the times in not having
motor fire engines and hose wagons. Fire
CHIEF Frank J. Wagner today. in a special
| report, recommended that the Commits
sioners make renewed and special efforts
at the next session of Congress to pro-
vide for the purchase of some motor fire
apparatus for the National Capital.
| Fire Chief Wagner urges the adoption
of motor fire fighting apparatus here be-
| cause 1t is not only efficient, but is more
economical than horse-drawn vehicles.
Exhibits of Grand Rapids.
| Il have the honor to report that August
| IL. IS. 10 and 10. 1909, accompanied by
| the superintendent OF ma chinery of this
department. l attended the annual con-
i vention of the International Association
of Fire Engineers at Grand Rapids.
Mich" Fire Chief Wagner says in his
report to the Commissioners.
THE exhibits at this convention were
numerous and instructive, embodying as
they did the latest improvements in fire.
fighting apparatus and appliances. Among
the exhibits were three motor fire engines
and one motor hose wagon. In a Demon
stration of the motor fire engine the ma
chine was run distance of three miles.
laid out $50 feet Of hose. connected the
same to a fire hydrant, and had an effec-
tive stream of water in $50 minutes
Satisfactory demonstrations were also
given of several improved steam fire
engines and automatic aerial trucks.
I'm connection with this report 1 desire
to invite the attention of the Commits
sioners to the fact that the principal topic
for discussion seemed to be motor-pro-
PEELED fire apparatus. and those members
Of the association who had had expert
ence with such apparatus were unanimous
in their Endorsement of the same.
Experience has now demonstrated that
motor fire apparatus is not only efficient
in, service, but can also be maintained
more economically than horse-drawn fire
fighting machinery. l was Informed by
Chief Hunter of Springfield, Ohio, that
a combination motor fire engine and hose
wagon has been installed In his depart
ment and that record was kept Of the
same from July 9 to August IA, 1909,
inclusive.
Cost of Maintenance.
During this period the engine responded
to forty-seven alarms, Travelled 239 $40
miles and rendered most satisfactory
service. The entire cost Of maintenance
was as follows:
81 gallons gasoline. 8.91
) gallons lubricating oil ....... ESQ
mo repairs were necessary to the ap
paratus during the period mentioned. and.
therefore. the cost per day for its MAIN
tenance was but seventeen cents-a vast
saving over the cost for the maintenance
Of horse-drawn apparatus.
I'm view of the facts set forth above,
I have the honor to recommend to the
Commissioners that renewed efforts be
made at the forthcoming session Of Con-
gress to secure the amendment of the
appropriation Repairs to apparatus and
for new apparatus and new appliances,
u f,,e,f lf..
tion of motor-propelled fire apparatus and
vehicles for this department. An item
intended to accomplish this result will
be embodied in the estimates of the fire
department for the fiscal year 1911.
Il find that numerous motor hose
wagons, as well as fire engines. are now
in use In fire departments throughout the
country. and the city of Washington is
unquestionably behind the times in this
regard
Favored by West.
THE recommendation Of the chief en-
gineer of the fire department" said Com
missioner West today, would unques-
tionably receive the approval of the Com
missioners. Two years ago an effort was
made to secure an appropriation for the
purchase of a motor engine and hose
wagon. but at that time Congress did not
deem it proper to authorize change?
largely because the question was then an
experimental one. and it was deemed wise
to wait until the experience OF other
cities could be obtained.
Il have directed Chief Wagner to Sc
cure from other cities where motor en-
Sines are used all the information pOssi-
BILE concerning the cost of maintenance,
inasmuch as the thirty-day record in
Springfield Ohio, does not cover period
of time long enough to be of value. There
is every reason to believe. however. that
motor engines can be maintained at low
er cost than horse-drawn apparatus. For
instance. we are now paying between
SO, 600 and 10000 year for forage, and
5000 a year for horses, besides a large
amount for shoeing. harness. blacksmith
ing and stable supplies. When the esti-
mates are taken up for consideration an
appropriation for at least one motor fire
engine and hose wagon will be included.
and the Commissioners will have in their
possession, when the matter comes be-
fore the appropriations committee. con-
siderable data from other cities to show
that the investment ought to be made