The Washington herald., 1911-03-19

I'VE need a high pressure water
system in Washington badly, al
though | am frank to say that the
fire IT the ball park on Friday, con-
trarv to the belief of some people,
was not an instance of where the
lack OF such a system was apparent.
There was plenty Of water available
IN the Seventh street and Florida
avenue ncighborhood when the fire
broke ont, and there was no dearth
of fire plugs to which to attach the
various engines. On the contrary,
there VA, plug for every engine
and 4 full flow Of water.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
Chief Wagner Yesterday said the above
in refutauon OF the rumor that the eX-
tont # Fridays fire was evidence Of
the fact that there was a lament
ably poor wl1-r supply in the neigh
horhouI OF The D1u park and the lum-
Der yard that were destroyed. To
chef WagnC-'s ,arS also came ..- crit
cism that win -IEt5s1 ei.aIT.-- md eight
trucks on the job. there should have
been less OF a property loss. He had
the following TO say with regard to struC-
lures of that sort:
'AItaouEl. / was not at the fire when
il broke out. having been out of the city
and just returning on the train, l learn
it was impossible to prevent the rapid
blazing up OF tho dry structure. While
The first man who pulled box was trav-
cling half a block and back, the tiny blaze
which started the fire was sweeping
through the grand stand. 1t was as dry
a tinder and the conditions were perfect
for a rapid blaze. a gentle zephyr from
the southwest waited the fire at once
into the lumber yard and the storage
buildings of the hospital The apparatus
responded promptly, and plugs were
quickly found for every engine as it
showed up. Owing TO the fact that one
alarm was unnecessarily pulled, We had
three more engines than were really
needed, but they were all at work. The
water department Of the city promptly
took Cogn.zance of the various alarms.
and dispatched its men to the proper
points. where they turned off mains and
headed a splendid pressure Of water
toward Seventh street and Florida ave
I...e
C.ier " agn,r announced yesterday
afternoon hat the fire damage of Friday,
clos, D.. ,Cmputel mounted to $4,000.
He saIu tina, Under all the circumstances
II was not sdrDuSin- the fire had OC-
cur. cd and rlged as it did. The condi-
tions, he said. were entirely different
from those n d heavily populated build
ing district, owing to the lack of fire
proof material OF possibilities of smother
ing the flames.
Had the hall par!- fire occurred on
Thursday during the high wind that
I.reVl ed .u... all Cm Mn. r. Z t~
les daL.L,. " '..Id La, been Sust;-...,u.
for the -"aS0n juat the gale was blowing
f-"m the ~,r.n st md the flames, &C
.d.nslv, N.IId nave been swept into
the open hal! parE instead of along the
w Of stands and into surrounding
s.rugture-.'
Grounds Are Cleared.
With pick and shovel more than forty
preliminary to rebuilding 'Nc Grar7 stand
a the American League Hall Park, which
was demolished by fire carly Friday
morning.
IT, debris Wa removed before noon,
and the Geor-e A. Fuller Company,
which ~ awarded the contract 10y the
new sounds OF concrete and steel began
work lat" in tnc afternoon. Thomas c.
Moves, president Of tie Washington base
hall club Ssid ..U yyov'I no IN readiness