Evening journal., 1916-01-03
WATER SERVICE DUE
FOR Investigation
Contlnued from FIrst Page.

Continued from First Page.
sible for Wilmington to have paid
fire department because Of influence
OF members Of the various companies,
and that the installation of a high
pressure system would solve the ques-
tion OF fire protection. At the time the
National Board of Underwriters made
a number of recommendations for inn
proving the fire protection OF Will
mington, and, according to Mr.. Hopes,
75 per cent OF the recommendations OF
the board have since been put in ef-
feet.
He added. 1--WE are carefully in
vestigatlng this affair and are making
map of the situation. When com
pleted we will have the map printed
and will give the full findings OF our
Investigation to the newspapers, TAX
ing any blame, il there is any. that
may come to us as a result OF the in
vestigation.' The map referred to by
Mr. Hopes will be one showing the
locations of the various mains, their
sizes and the positions OF the fire
plugs that were used by the liremen
on the night OF the fire.
He also says that the plug spoken
of as being broken and out OF order
was in good order. but worked so
easily that the firemen did not have II
fully opened. They stopped turning
on IL too soon.
He also said that in recommending
a high pressure water system for the
city the underwriters had called his
attention to the fact that the high
pressure system would practically
make the fire engines useless and that
not over four OF the thirteen now in
service would be necessary. This
would mean that nine u the fine fire
engines of the city would have to be
sold to other towns, go to the junk
pile or be held in reserve.
The report that the members of the
Friendship Fire Company broke a fire.
plug at Eighth and Shipley streets
while attaching a hose TO the plug has
brought forth protest from the mem
bers OF the company. Henry NJ Lang
president of the company, last night
declared that the company did not
break the plug, If It has been broken.
He declared that the company was
first stationed in the street with the
engine at Eighth and Shipley streets.
furnishing an adequate supply OF
water; that the company was then
moved to the roof OF 713 Shipley
street, shutting OFF the water at the
plug while making the move. When
the water was again turned on at
the plug, Mr.. Lang declared. il was
found the engines lower on the main
were taking the water and the engine
was moved to the plug at Eighth and
Tatnall streets. Here, he said, the
engine, with a thousand feet OF hose,
developed 2SO pounds water pressure,
and gave a supply OF water adequate
for fighting the fire from the roof OF
the Feeney building.
The criticism made that the Fame
company was late in arriving at the
scene and did not render effective SER
vice has also called forth a protest
I from Chief MegiH. The company
which had been at the Warner fire,
attached its hose TO the plug at Sew
enth and Market streets and had two
/ lines OF hose out, one from the tower
OF the Delaware company and one
I from the street. The company rem
. MNANA NNAl NMN1AANI NNANANNf aAAWAA
I ing TO Chief Megill.
] William J. Lutz. president of the
\ Fame company. declared that because
OF the fact that the Fame engine was
left at the Warner fire the company
I did not respond to the fire until tho
> second alarm. He declared that the
company fed 772 gallons OF water per
minute for FIVE hours and twenty min
utes from the plug at Seventh and
Market streets.
John T. Feeney. proprietor OF the
, furniture store adjoining the Foord.
, Massey Company, whose store was
damaged by fire and water. declared
1 that he would repair the building an,
: would reopen for business at tn,
, same place as soon as possible.
Z The Phoenix Fire Company. II il
; said. had broken tube on the night o
q the fire and has no complaint to max
J, Of the alleged poor water pressure.