The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-11-04
CHARGES OF POOR
FIRE ALARMS STIR
INSURANCE men
Alderman Gaffeney's Bombshen
Causes Commissioners and
Underwriters to Air Views.

Members of the Board Of Fire Com
missioners, fire insurance men, mer-
chants and citizens today the
statement of Alderman Gaffeney at the
meeting Of the finance COMMITTEES OF the
Common Council last night, where he
declared that the fire alarm system Is
not what IL ought to be" and III the
inspectors of the underwriters knew
conditions the risk rates would increase
10 per cent"
As the fire alarm system of Newark
had always been a proud boast of the
city, the remarks Of Alderman Gaffeney
have caused a lot of talk. While none
of the fire underwriters would say to-
day that there Is any immediate possi-
biiity OF an Increase In the rate for
Newark, some of them admitted that
the fire alarm system has its defects.
'I do not know what Alderman
Gaffeney had in mind" said f.. +. Con-
lon, of r. p. Conlon & Son. n OF the
biggest FIRE underwriting firms In the
city, unless he refers to the Old WIZ
ing and old boxes. II you Will recap
a short time ago there was a box
pulled three times at Central avenue
and Lock street for the Smyth Factory
FIRE. Each time the box refused to e
in an alarm. While / do not ike 10
say It there are persons who say that
this is due to old wiring. Chief Astiey
might be seen OF this matter. De-
lieve the chief knows conditions better
than anybody and that he Is perfectly
able of taking care of the situation.
One of the informal recommendations
of the board of fire underwriters is
that the fire alarm boxes be tested from
time to time. I nave every reason for
believing that this is done.
81 do not believe that Alderman CAT
feney has any grounds for the state
ment that IL the fire underwriters knew
the condition of h fire alarm system
they would Increase the rates III per
cent. While / have no knowledge Oh
what he means when he says tina the
fire alarm system Is not what 1t ought
to be l D he refers to defects IN
firm alarm wiring, and probably thinks
1t so bad that 1t could be improved on
Chief Ashley could not be seen today
to get his views on Alderman CAR
feney's statement. 1t will be recalled
hat at the beginning Of the present
wear the Board of Fire Commissioners
asked for $4,000 for new wiring. This
amount was cut from the m
Then from some source-the fire COM
m~issioners disclaim making the request
there came a plea for a bond issue OF
s100. 600 for the fire alarm system. When
the nance committees resolution pro-
viding for this bond issue came before
the mayor, and President Burke, OF the
fire board, admitted that the 800, 900 was
not needed at nee Mayor Haussling
promptly vetoed the resolution. 1t was
when discussing the mayors veto that
Alderman Gaffeney made the state-
'ments rejecting on the fire alarm
system.
1t is held by the fire commissioners
that If the 1923, 900 had been allowed for
wiring there would be no complaints OF
old wires and old boxes. 1t is also held
by the fire commissioners that the
wires are bound to wear out, and while
it Is declared that the failure Of boxes
to work sometimes is due to a ground
wire, they admit that the old wires are
wearing out and that the $4,000 cut
from the estimates was needed to keep
the alarm system up to date.