Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-22
WHEN WILL ATLANTA
Be SWEPT BY GREAT
AND TERRIBLE FIRE?
She Is Dependent Upon One
Lone Pump for Water Pres
sure, and 1t May Be Shut
Down When the Next Fire
Comes

Atlanta's fire department had plenty
of water Wednesday to fight the fire
which destroyed J. P. Allen & Co.'S store,
and it did we'll in holding the fire within
four walls without a spread to other
buildings.
But some of these days another big
fire may start in the center of the re-
tail district and the fire department may
not have an adequate water supply, and
if that should happen there would be a
confiagration.
Atlanta's retail district is dependent
for fire protection on one lone pump at
the Hemphin pumping station.
That pump. known as the Hugh T. In
man pump, in honor of the late Mr. Hugh
T. Inman, a prominent citizen who adj
vanced the city government a loan to
cover lite purchase. must be shut down
every once in a while for adjustments
and repairs, the same as any other piece
of machinery.
If a. big fire comes when the Inman
pump is working. there will be plenty of
water.
If big fire comes when the Inman
pump is shut down for adjustments or
repairs, there will not be plenty of
water.
THE CITY'S FOUR PUMPS.
At the Hemphill pumping station are
four pumps, as follows:
Hugh Ct. Inman pump, with a daily
capacity of 100000 gallons.
Harrison pump, with a daily capacity
of 100000 gallons.
Two old pumps, in use twenty-three
years, with daily capacity of 10000, 900
gallons each.
When the Inman pump is shut down,
the-others can supply the city with
water for ordinary purposes.
But with the Inman pump shut down,
the other pumps cannot maintain a
pressure sufficient for fighting a big
fire.
Suppose, for example. that the Inman
pump should be shut down for repairs
at o'clock tomorrow morning. Sup
pose big fire should break out in the
retail district at o'clock. The Har-
rison pump and the two old pumps could
not put the pressure in the water mains.
Atlanta in all probability would be
swept by a disastrous and terrific con-
fagration.
BY working like demons the water
works mechanics at Hemphill station
might get the Inman pump in operation
an hour or two hours after the start
of the fire. On the other hand, they
might not. But If they did, the fire
would have got beyond control
Such is the situation. Such Is the
tremendous risk to which Atlanta is ex-
posed every day and every hour.
There is no telling when a fire will
break out. There is no telling when
valve will break in the Inman pump.
Any little minor mechanical mishap
makes it necessary to shut down the
pump for repairs. And the pump is so
huge that even a small adjustment, or
a small repair job, takes hours.
ADDITIONAL PUMP NEEDED.
Atlanta needs an additional pump at
the Hempnill station. 1t should be a
pump of at least 2O,O00.O0O gallons daily
capacity. 1t will cost approximately
100000. The waterworks department
has asked for it repeatedly.
Council would have appropriated the
money to buy the pump if the city treas
ury hadn't been hard up every year. No
great fire has come to emphasize the
danger of depending on the Inman
pump. Atlanta has simply been lucky.
And matters have rocked along.
Wednesdays fire was a warning. 1t
was a close shave. Good water pres
sure. plus quick and efficient work by
the fire department, plus a couple Of fire
walls, plus a shower of rain that ex-
tinguished the big flying sparks-these
saved Atlanta
Not only was Atlanta lucky in this
fire, but she had a combination of diff
ferent elements of luck, all of which
contributed to the prevention of a great
disaster.
The question is, how long can Atlanta
rely on luck and get away with 1t?
How long can she take a chance and
escape?
How long will an expenditure Of
5000, 900 stand between the city and pro-
lection?
If a contract for a pump should be
signed, sealed and delivered today, 1t
would take two years to get the pump
built and installed ready for operation,
as all pumps are built to order.
Therefore it is a question whether
Atlanta will escape a disaster even if a
pump is purchased at once.