Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-06
Jersey CITY WINS IN
FIRE APPARATUS TEST
CONTINUED from First Page.)
time lost through their operations.
The experts declined to do this.
Tenta In irrn Annarafna

time lost through their operations.
The experts declined to do this.
Tests Injure Apparatus.
Commissioner Hague took the
ground that the proposed probe by
the board of fire underwriters might
endanger the fire apparatus, some of
the tests made by the underwriters
on former occasions having been far
too severe for the fire apparatus. 1t
was claimed that some of the engines
were disabled after the exprts of the
underwriters got through with them.
Hague further intimated that there
was an Interior motive behind the
proposition; that it was the plan to
show that the Jersey City fire de-
partment is defective. and that. there
fore. the board of fire underwriters
would be justified in once again jack
ing up the fire insurance rates.
This verbal report by Hague was
concurred in by Commissioners Fer
ris Brensinger and Moore.
after what l have heard tonight"
said Commissioner Moore, my mind
is not entirely made up on the sub
ject, but if / must vote at this time
I vote against the proposed investiga-
ton by the Board of Fire Under
writer's. My belief is that there
should be an investigation by some
disinterested parties like Fire Chief
Croker. I believe in getting at all
the facts through the best means
available"
Before this decision was reached by
the board a public hearing was given
to a large audience of fire officials
and citizens. Former City Comp
troller William G. Nelson, who is in
the fire insurance business and who
belongs to the Chamber of Commerce,
did not approve the plans for the
proposed inquiry by the underwriters.
He also questioned the regularity of
the Endorsement by the Chamber of
Commerce. Former Assemblyman
Joseph c. Duff also criticised the pro-
posed inquiry in very warm terms.
He did not like anything like inter-
ference even by the Chamber of
Commerce.
when I get a communication
signed by Colonel Austen Colgate"
retorted Mayor Pagan, 81 treat it as
a matter of great weight"
THAT is all right as to Senator
Colgate" replied Commissioner
Hague. HE is all right. but why
should we let outsiders make the in
vestigation. / claim we are COM
petent to find out the facts ourselves
without having outsiders come here
and tell us what to do.
Ridiculed the Department.
Fire Lieutenant Kehoe, Of the re-
pair shops, charged that when the
experts employed by the fire under
writer's made their last inspection a
number of years ago, they ridiculed
the department in shameful way.
"They absolutely ruined three or
four engines" said Kehoe. They
suggested that the city buy supplies
from favored dealers controlled by
the fire underwriters. Another Incl
dent that made me mad occurred
when one of the investigators made
fun of one of our firemen who hap
pens to have one eye. This fireman
is one of the best men in our depart
ment. The examiner questioned this
unfortunate fireman and asked him
things to embarrass him. IF | had
been in that fireman's place I would
have taken the chance of losing the
one remaining eye in an attempt to
knock out the two eyes of the in
sulting examiner"
Mayor Pagan held out the fact
that the fire engines, as rule, can
not stand all the pressure they are
rated at and that fire engine IS
not in fact as capable as would be
supposed by reading the contract re-
quirements.
Building Inspector John H. Saul
attacked the proposed investigation.
He charged the Board of Fire Under
writer's with acting in bad faith. He
said they lacked up the rates 30 per
cent. a number of years ago and
promised to reduce the rates If the
| city did certain things The city
adopted a very stringent building
code that put up the cost of con-
struction. 1t was expected that this
| code would induce the fire insurance
people to reciprocate by reducing the
fire rates, but they did not.
Fire Chief John Conway admitted
that the fire department is not al
that it should be in the matter o.
! equipment, but he stated that thi!
is because the city is not now in tn,
! position to pay for the additional fir
! apparatus and firemen. He favored
! more companies and more equip
! ment.
), Some fire boards" said Conway
Il looking at Mayor Pagan, did no
want me to attend all fires. 1 sup
pose they feared I might see to
much and be prompted to prefe
charges against some of the fireme
for not doing their full duty"
. Conway said other things of previ
i Gus boards
onJoxu cbiaf,, said Mavor FaPar