Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-11-30
WILL INVESTIGATE
FIRE ALARM PLAN
City Commissioners Delay Action
for Two Weeks for Further
Information.
CITY DADS ARE ALL AT SEA

At a meeting of the city council
committee of the whole, Commission
ers Kugel Hummel. Jardine and
Butler we're outspoken in contending
that the council should investigate
the new fire alarm system as pro-
posed by Commissioner Withheld in
a report.
Upon motion by Mr.. Jardine, the
commissioners decided to hold a spe-
cial session on Monday morning, De-
cember 10, by which time, 1t is be-
lieved, the city officials will have un-
derstandable plans upon which to
base intelligent opinion.
The more 1 hear of this TIE less
know" declared Commissioner Jardine.
81 am in favor of fire alarm box in
every school and would favor installing
300 more boxes in the business district. as
proposed, but do not favor voting to
appropriate $4,000 for 200 fire alarm
boxes. I think that amount is too high"
was a statement made by Commissioner
Kugel.
Get Estimate of Cost.
Commissioner Hummels idea was that
t, city should first prepare a plan and
get an estimated cost from an expert, in
reply to which suggestion Commissioner
Withheld proposed that the city advertise
for bids and let bidders submit their
plans.
A question raised by Commissioner But
Ter was, ''Who does r. r. Townsend of
Chicago represent? That is what would
like to know"
Some one ventured to say that Mr..
Townsend represents the National Board
OF Fire Underwriters. Mr. Townsend APP
peared before the city council two
months ago and made an eloquent plea in
behalf of a modern fire alarm system for
Omaha.
For Central District.
In his report to the council Commits
sioner Withheld proposes to install 2OC
new fire alarm boxes in the high value
business district" bounded by Lake
Pierce and Twenty-fourth streets and
the river, at an estimated cost Of $4,000
the estimated annual maintenance charge
being placed at $500, which includes q
central station.
1t is alleged that the installation Of the
200 fire alarm boxes and the motorizatior
of four of the fire houses will be ac-
: cepted by the underwriters as sufficient
, improvement to reduce Omaha's fire in.
surance rating from "a class to class
a reduction of about 10 per cent in pre-
niums.
Commissioner Jardine called the atten.
ton of the commissioners to the fact tha
, Omaha's annual fire loss is exceptionally
, low, considering population. area ant
valuation.
Calls Come Wrong.
Misunderstanding of calls sent in by
: telephone was given as another argumen
a in favor of the fire alarm boxes. 1t Il
/. stated that forty-four of the alarms sen
= in this year over the telephone were mis-
a understood on account OF imperfec
a enunciation of the senders. 1t is explainet
that the telephone service would be nee
essary with the best fire alarm box sys
a tenn. The city now has liz fire alarm
antiGuated
In talk to the commissioners j. w
Metcalfe emphasized the Importance o
furnishing the city with efficient mean
of communicating with the fire depart
ment in times OF fire. He explained tina
\ all fires are small at the start and tn
, chief thing to be desired is quick ant
reliable means OF notification.
% At the conference to be held two week
@ hence representatives OF the insuranc
A companies, Commercial club, manufac
{ turers and other organizations will b
a present.