South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-12
GREATER NECESSITY FIRST.

To the average home-owner, es-
pecially in the outskirts Of the city,
the position taken by Burr f. Angus
tine. president of the board OF safety,
with reference to the need of a boos-
ter pump in the fire department in
preference TO an aerial motor truck.
Will meet with approval. The ques-
ton arises incident 10 the recommen-
datiOns OF the Indiana Inspection bu-
reau. submitting that with the adop
ton of a satisfactory building code.
and the purchase of a motor aerial
truck, along with some other improve
ments. South Bend can be made a sec
ond class city in the matter OF fire
insurance rates, which means a reduc-
ton. The position of Pres't Augustine
is that there are very few buildings
i'm South Bend TO require the services
Of an aerial truck in case of fire.
while there are a lot Of dwellings in
the outlying districts. that are in need
of a heavier water pressure.
The aerial truck would cost the city
about S11,500. The booster pump
costs about $500. Both are mounted
on motor trucks The former would
be OF use only when high buildings are
Attire, and il would be an exceptional
case indeed. that the present hook and
ladder wagon could not serve with eff
ficiency. The pumps might be of ser
vice at any time. not only in the out
lying districts where the water pres
sure is comparatively light, but down
town where a stream of greater force
than the water system furnishes might
be desirable
south Bend has not forgotten the
Donovon fire out ). Michigan St. last
spring With 1900 foot of hose laid
beyond the nearest hydrant. the
stream was insufficient to reach the
blaze with any degree Of effectiveness.
The building might have been saved
but for this fault. Later a Siamese
twin connection was tried out and
found 10 be a considerable improve
ment. and then came "A test pump
which exceeded the force of the new
connection 10 such an extent as to
render our water system efficient be-
yond question. Here is something
that is needed. The completion of the
new water plant does not increase the
static force OF the water at these out
lying hydrants in the least. The only
force is that furnished by the weight
Of water in the standpipe and the
higher the altitude of the hydrant. the
lighter is that force
OF course. South Bend wants the
lower fire rate. Somebody estimated
that il would save the policyholders
$50. a year in premiums. which IL
assured. might justify the purchase
OF both the aerial truck and the
pumps. To be frank about il we are
not overly sanguine about the insur-
ance underwriters making any such
reduction in the insurance premiums
collecuble in South Bend. but taking
them at their word we still believe
the booster pumps are more OF a ne
cessity than new aerial ladders.
We not only believe il in behalf OF
the people OF the outlying districts.
but 81 the downtown district as well.
A greater force than is furnished bv
the highest force obtainahle from the
standpipe might De needed In case of
a serious fire. for instance in the up
per stories OF the J. ~ $ building our
present Sky -scraper" Mayor Keller.
and the majority OF the department.
heads. may and doubtless will have
their way.-proNided the common
council viii let them but we believe
Pres't Augustine of the board of
safety IS right. and we would glory i'm
his spunk should he stand out with
What influence ne possesses. this 10
the end OF serving greater number
OF people as they need be served for
the protection OF their homes. and TO
serve them first.
Then II the city wants to buy an
aerial truck let that come second
"
NEW SPIRIT ON THE BENCH.
man vHo has hold Ifgh moi