The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-03-08
CHECK VALVE
THE CAUSE
Chief Runyon Fixes Blame for
Memorial Hospital Acci-
dent Last Month.
DISCOVERY OF $500 in A BANK

was the cause of the recent explosion
Of the boiler in the kitchen of Mem
orial hospital was reported to the
board Of aldermen Friday night by
Chief Engineer j. Fred Runyon. The
chief said that where similar condi-
tions prevailed 10 Morristown houses
there was constant danger of an ex-
plosion.
Morristown plumbers have, in some
cases, recognized the danger and
drilled holes through the check. thus
relieving the boilers to a small extent.
Chief Runyon made an Investigation
of the accident, together with Assist
ant Chief Wilbur f. Day, jr., and
Town Engineer Edward Howell. At
ter describing his findings to the al
dermen he Said
" This leads me to believe that the
same accident is liable to occurin any
house in Morristown where the plumb
ing system is connected up in the same
way where the water is heated by the
kitchen range. The only possible re-
lief to the boiler is the constant and
sufficient use of hot water by means OF
the hot water faucet to relieve the ma
tural expansion caused by the heating
of the water in the back of the kitchen
range.
The placing of this check valve in
the house system is required by the
rules of the water company to prevent
deterioration of the meter, occasioned
by the backing up of the warm water
in case of the non-using of sufficient
hot water to relieve the boiler"
The chief recommended the consid
Grafton of the hoard on whether the
use of the check valves should not be
prohibited, and also suggested the ap-
pointment of an inspector to investi-
gate conditions and see that any regu-
lations enacted by the aldermen are
properly carried out. The fire COM
mittee took the matter under advise
ment.
Considerable speculation was caused
by the announcement by Alderman
Augustus L. Revere, acting chairman
of the finance committee in the alb
sence of Alderman Kinsley Twining,
that there was $500 in the National
Iron bank to the credit of "L. A.
Vogt, treasurer" A resolution was
adopted that this amount be paid over
by the bank to the present treasurer,
John j. A. Owens. Vogt was the
town treasurer six years ago and re-
signed before his term expired. When
questioned about the matter Alder
man Revere and other town officials
mcde vague replies and failed to, give
any definite information as to where
the $500 came from.
Chief Runyon reported that he was
unable to secure permission OF proper
ty owners in Cutler street to trim
from trees on that street limbs that
interfere with the fire alarm wires.
Last month the system was out Of or
der for day because of short circuit
ing by trees. He asserted that the
trimming required would distigure the
trees but little, and asked for authori-
ty for removing signal box No. 50 in
that street. The fire committee will
take the matter up.
Alderman r. Rallston Reed brought
up the question of celebrating Nor
ristown's 2OOth anniversary next fall,
and his motion that committee of
ways and means be appointed to work
with citizens committeeswas adopt
ed after Mayor Theodore Ayers had
expressed his commendation Of the
proposed celebration.
Building permits were reported as
having been issued by the fire mar
shall to Antonio Esposito for a build
ing on Speedwell avenue to cost S13,-
600: to the Pierson estate for albera-
tions to building on Washington
street to cost 5000 and to James @.
Timmons to alterations to his build
ing on Washington street to cost $l99.
A letter from the Lackawanna rail
roads chief engineer, G. j. Ray, was
read. Mr.. Ray asserted that his office
was finishing plans for the remedying
Of the water leaking through the
Water street bridge of the railroad
and that in a few days materials and
men would be on hand to do the work.
On the recommendation of the
board of trustees of the Firmen's Re-
lief association Eugene Carrell was re-
elected trustee.
-Four notes for $500 each, payable
July lSt, 1910, were ordered discounted
for the payment of current sewer bills.
On motion of Alderman Reed the
ordinance providing for the widening
of Mills street between Cutler street
and Sussex avenue was withdrawn,
the people petitioning for the improve
ment having decided they did not
want it done.
The election of John AbsOlam to
Washington Engine company was con-
Cured in upon the recommendation
OF the board of engineers.
The preparation of a smoke ordi-
nance by Town Counsel Edward K.
Mills, was reported by Alderman Reed
as being under way.
The aldermen adjourned to meet
again next Friday night when the
sewer lateral ordinance Will be dis