The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-12-20
INSURANCE RATES
WILL SOON Be
Lowered
Expert George Houghton Re-
commends Many Improve
ments in City.
INSTALL ALARM SYSTEM


pert-Paid Firemen to Sleep at
Headquarters - Wooden Water
Mains Need Protection.
Practically the entire time of the |
city council was taken up last Mon
day nights meeting in hearing and
discussing the recommendations made |
by George H. Houghton, representa-
tive of the board of insurance under |
writer's, relative to the needs of the |
city in the matter of improved FIRE
protection. Mr.. Houghton has been
here for the past ten days and has
given the matter careful study, testing
the new fire engine, the pumping
plant and the general efficiency must
be met before the property owners
can hope to profit by material re-
duction in fire insurance rates. While
the changes suggested are extensive
and will necessitate the expenditure OF
considerable money, the council be-
lieves that they can be provided for.
and will meet next Monday night to
take the first steps toward that end.
Recommendation Of Expert.
Among the recommendations made
by Mr.. Houghton was that the city
employ three paid firemen for the
Central station, where the engine is
kept; that a modern telegraph fire
alarm system be installed; that the
present wood and steel water mains
be replaced as rapidly as possible
with cast iron mains; that pressure re-
ducers be installed in the pipes, and
that the council pass and enforce a
strict building ordinance. When these
| requirements are met the under
writer's representative states that
Caldwell will have as complete fire
protection as any city of its size in
the northwest.
To Extend Water System.
The council at the session last Mon
day night also arranged for the con-
struction of the Arlington extension
to the city water system, question
that has been under consideration for
sometime. The extension will carry
city water to the residents OF the
south part of the city, as for out as
Logan street. Over mile of pipe will
be laid and the cost of the improve
ment is estimated at $Z.56Z.N.
Recommendation in Full.
i The recommendations made by Mr.
Houghton are very interesting. They
, follow in their entirety.
To the Honorable Mayor and Cit,
Council, Caldwell, Idaho:
As the result of several days in
: spection work in Caldwell, made will
the view of recommending ADJUSTED
. insurance rates on the mercantile
, buildings, on account of FIRE and wate
. improvements, l beg leave to submit
!, few recommendations which it car
, ried out, will have effect in the rate
4 to be promulgated.
7 First: 1t is always desirable to pos
4 sess two separate sources of electrica
n energy for FIRE pumps, so that in cas-
= of wires of one system breaking, tn
$ other line may be utilized; thus in
5 surfing an assured supply for powe
purposes.
. Second: Arrangements should b
), made with one of the employees OF tn
:, water department, who thorough
n understands the operation Of tn
}, pump, to live at the brick pump hous
e throughout the year. Under the pre-:
;. emit arrangements the pump man onl
e goes to the pump house when nece!
y sary. To leave the pump house ur
guarded allows the machinery an
e pump house to be at the mercy of VI
o scrupulous parties, besides the della
8 in furnishing FIRE pressure at the h!
II drants.
: Third: think you will agree wit
+. me. from your experience, that voc
70 stave mains are undesirable vii
y, pumping systems and as soon as pra
;e ticable should be replaced with ca
it iron or steel. Pending this impo
5 tant change-pressure reducers shou
70 be installed at the intersections OF Il
r wood and steel mains, so that whs
.r fire pressure is desired, this arrang
ment will prevent the wood mail
,e being subjected to the strain. Mani
R has such an arrangement and it mig
OF be very we'll to consult with the wat
I'd department of that city before pu
1T chasing this equipment.
er Fourth: The hydrants should
'e. be thoroughly tested by 4 compete
BY man and all valve leaks, ETC., repaire
of They should be inspected and oiled
as least once in two months and wr
le, ten report filed with the city eouns
nd Fifth: The hose carts will not pr
ed badly called out very much from I
of city hall headquarters and It is 81
as gested a cart be placed in the MOI
I'M also the south or southeastern p;
Of the city-with 500 feet OF hose
I'M each. This arrangement will obvi'
no the necessity of sending to headqu
be ters for extra hose when buildings
ey located a long distance from the n!
es. rants or bitches, about eight or
ie- men in each hose company will
sufficient.