The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-08-02
OUR Department
GOOD As ANY
Chief Anderson With His Wife Re-
turns From Well Earned Va
cation, Spent In Dee Moines,
Omaha and Elsewhere.
HAS SOME NEW IDEAS
Contests at Iowa Flremen's Tourna-
ment Were Observation-Disclosures
WappIeh the Capable
Host.
HAS SOME NEW IDEAS

Fire CHIEF Anderson returned last
night with his wife from trip to Des
Moines, where he attended the Iowa
Fireman's tournament which was a
success. Several OF the large cities
in Iowa were represented by hose
company, which gave exhibitions of
bitches, running and coupling con-
tests The volunteer fire companies
We're we'll represented and there is
much rivalry as to which town has
the speediest runners.
The chief, in speaking Of his we'll
earned vacation today, spoke Of his
and Mrs. Anderson's interesting visit
in the several cities in which they So
journed, as follows:
l found Keokuk has about as good
and well equipped a department as
any of the larger cities in Iowa.
From Des Moines went to Omaha
with my wife to visit my daughter,
Mrs. Mawer, a-d will always remem-
Der the delightful time we had there
Omaha is fine cosmopolitan city and
has one Of the finest fire depart
ments ever saw. And in my days /
have seen some. Its Is head of stock,
it's splendid ladder trucks, combina-
ton wagons, water tower, and steam
ers are to be marveled at in city OF
the size. There are 200 men In the
service. Among them, Billie Rees
and John R. Hunter, former Keo.
kukians. Hunter Is engineer on one OF
the extra large fire steamers, which
throws four streams and can disgorge
1900 gallons of water minute.
Its newer engine houses are mar
vels in appointment and convenience
and are perfect In every detail.
was nicely entertained by Fire Chief
Salter, who took much pains in show.
ing me around and explaining to me
fully everything connected with his
department. He is recognized as an
unassuming, but really great fire
chief.
1t is unnecessary to say that Mr. w.
F. Wappich, who is practicing law
there, and is member of the fire and
police board, furnished us all the
automobile service we wanted every
day and had so many pleasures plan
ned for me and Mrs. Anderson We
could not take them all in.
My trip to Omaha was profitable as
a school of experience and know
the city of Keokuk will get the bene-
fit OF my ideas and experience. I
have acquired some new ideas on
uniforms. hose, engines and equip
ment. The fire department there is
disciplined so that when we approach
ed a house, the chiefs chauffeur
lightly blew his siren horn and as
we entered the house the men got up
by tipping the edge of their hat with
their right hand. l found the chief
gives an order but once-and it's
done. During my ride of three hours
with the chief and Mr.. Wappich,
was struck by the silence of the chiefs
chauffeur who never spoke a
word; but knew his place. Not once
did he "butt in" or volunteer a word
1t shows to me thoroughly organ
lied and disciplined fire fighting force
and fine body of men, At fire
drivers. chauffeurs, and all have got
to take hold and work, there are no
drones. I shall always remember the
enjoyable and profitable trip.
put in a day in Council Bluffs,
which has suffered much from large
fires due to lack of water pressure.
They have about the same amount Of
apparatus we have. Mayor Malloney
makes good chief executive, and
since the city has bought the water
works, extensive Improvements are
being made for fro protection.