New Britain herald., 1916-04-22
Town Topics

| engines. That this type of apparatus ] is needed there is no doubt. Although | it has not been generally known, 1t 1 is nevertheless a fact that for some i time New Britain's water pressure
 has not been all that could be desir-
 ed in the high parts of the city At l the hospital for instance, the
 pressure is not sufficient to carry a. single stream of water to the top of the building, the water breaking into 1 spray of the second floor On Elm l mons Place it is scarcely better and l on Osgood Hill, which is becoming l one of the most thickly populated | districts in the city, the pressure is | dangerously low. Hence, the pumps 1 are @ necessity. The board has con- 1 tracted for the outright purchase of two senior pumping engines, each | of which develops 1OS H. P. and is of the six cylinder type. They can hurl 750 gallons of water per minute These cars are listed at 5000 each but cost the city less. The third piece of apparatus is a junior pump ing engine combining pump, chemical and hose wagon. This has been leas- ed for one year for S1,OOO with the understanding that if the city de- sires, 1t can purchase the pump on May 1. 1917. and the money paid for the lease will apply on the prin- ciple. All pumps are of the double rotary type: the junior one being of the four cylinder variety, developing 75 H. P. All this apparatus is uni versal and should it be necessary could be sent to Hartford and be at work there inside of thirty minutes of the time the call was received. By the terms of the agreement the city has been saved no less than S53OO The safety board will turn over to the company and receive credit for two old engines and all but two of the hose carts. The best engine will be retained for emergencies and the two best hose carts will be equipped gratis by the American LaFrance company with pungs for severe win ter uses. But as the record for the past ten years shows that only 2 per cent. of the entire period has seen weather severe enough to prohibit the use of motor trucks the danger from loss of service Is obvious.
 Chairman E, G. Babcock of the safety board, with unusual fore thought, has seen to it that this city is placed well at the head of the company's output and therefore will doubtless be able to celebrate the Fourth of July with it's new appar- atus. Six weeks ago. on his own in itiative and with the cOmpany's agree ment that it should not be binding on the city in case of unforeseen even tualitieS, he made tho tentative con- tract for the apparatus which en- sureS an early delivery. Tnasmuch as the Am erican LaFrance company has 1S6 pieces of fire department appar- atus on it's floors with various cities clamorng for early shipments. the wisdom of his move is apparent.
 When the new apparatus arrives the two more powerful pumps will be placed where needed most at No. 3 and Mo- engine houses The junior r,1mp will be placed at the central station to answer all alarms and tho two chemicals now in use will be stationed at No. 2 and No. houses, thus insuring perfect protection and prompt department service for every section of the city.
 During the past month Chairman Babcocl1 has visited various towns and cities about the state and finds that everywhere New Britaln'S police and fire departments are gwen greet credit for their efficient service. Num- her of men and equipment conSldc'"h' he finds that the local departments arc less criticised about the state than those in other cites.
 Those conversant with City hall affairs are turning their attention TO the reorganization Of the SeNel"'
 boards and at present the water
 board is causing some speculation loF there is curiosity as to whether w.
 
 man or F. N. Humphrey will be
 chosen. Friends of MT. Humphrey
 contend that the job should be h1s this year It will he remembered that when Mir Rossbers was elected r. was after MT. Humphrey withdrew from the contest. The belief among MT Humphreys friends Is that he permitted MT. Rossberg to take the election without contest with the mutual understanding that this year | MT. Rossberg return the courtesy. Should MT. Humphrey be chosen chairman it will be an elegant oppor- tunity for the administration to try
 out the oft discussed plan of com bjning the public works board and the water board. MT. Humphrey is
 chairman of the public works board
 and indications are that he will re- main such As chairman of the water board. with the two commits sions consolidated, the plan could be easily and thoroughly tested. nci- dcntally, the office of chairman of the
 water board carries with it a salary Of $1,2OO per year. The chairman of the public works board receives $500.
 Considera ble amusement was Occa- stoned at the recent inauguration exercises at City hall when one of the cOuncilmen, elected last spring