Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-05-23
INSPECTORS REPORT
ON FIRE PROTECTION
Recommend Larger Water
Main in Pine Street and Park
Avenue and Tin Clad Shut
tiers at Windows of Pumping
and Electric Light Stations

Mayor J. Holmes Jackson received yes
terday n letter from John Walker. presi-
dent Of the Vermont Milk Chocolate COM
pany, enclosing a report Of the Asso-
ciated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance
companies, with their recommendations.
based on an examination of fire protec-
ton conditions in Burlington, the inves-
tigation being prompted by the recent
fire which destroyed the Chocolate COM
pany's plant. The letter and report are
Of particular interest at this time because
Of the IRE commissioners request for
additional apparatus, and for larger water
mains In the southwest corner Of the
city. Mr.. Walkers letter follows:
Boston, May Is, 1918.
The Hon. 7. Holmes Jackson,
Burlington. VT.
Dear Sir:
] am enclosing herewith report of the
Associated Factory Mutual Fire lnsur-
ance companies, with their recommended
lions Of the fire at Burlington.
have studied this over very care
fully, not alone from standpoint Of
protection to the Vermont Milk Choco-
late company, but taking a broad ground
that II the Vermont Milk Chocolate COM
pany is we'll protected, the city OF Bur-
lington will reap the Dement'S ten-fold,
In inducing other manufacturers TO seek
Burlington, because the city of Burlng-
ton has natural advantages for manu-
featuring food products, and II you COM
bine with the natural advantages the
advantage Of having A-No. fire protec-
ton you will have an inducement for
manufacturers to locate in Burlington,
which perhaps no other city in Vermont
will have.
Their report places before you condi-
ton under which no company can afford
to build an expensive plant which they
may be compelled to stand by. and see
their work of years go to ashes In a
couple of hours. for the lack of fire
protection.
l am not going into this very deeply,
as I appreciate that the citizens Of Bur-
lington themselves are big and broad
minded business men, perfectly capable.
and that they have made UP their mind..
to look after the welfare of Burling-
ton and that they understand that the
welfare Of the city Of Burlington de-
Ponds on first class fire protection; there
fore. I am perfectly willing to leave it in
their hands.
There 10 only one thing would recon-
mend In addition to this report and that
Ia. that 1t be one Of the rules of the
fire department that every manufacturing
plant and every fire hazard In the city
be inspected by different members of the
department at regular intervals SO that
they may be absolutely familiar with all
| details OF construction and fire hazard
Of the building, so that they may be
properly fortified with knowledge to
! handle any fire to the best advantage
no matter what part Of the structure is
on fire.
! We are living In an age when every
man must be q specialist. This great
war has shown us. as nothing ever has
before. that the expert man is a trained
man. believe 1t 10 doubly true Of
hremen. fortifying them with q knowl-
edge Of what they have to contend with.
and giving them the proper tools to fight
with One man properly trained and his
training kept up to the minute Is much
better than O mob without any train
ing.
Assuring you that appreciate the
| efforts that you and all the citizens
Of Burlington are making to give Bur-
lington all that 1t needs in the way of
fire protection, I remain.
Respectfully yours.
JOHN WALKER.
THE RECOMMENDATION
The report refers to the Importance OF
fighting fire at close range at the start
and the utter inadequacy Of a few feeble
hose streams against a fire which has
once gained Roadway. When six streams
are taken from hydrants all on a single
six-inch main, all Of the streams will
be very poor. Three specific recommended
lions are made In the report. and they
are summarized as follows:
l. Extend 12-inch main in Pine street
from Lakeside avenue to Park avenue
n 10
nue. from Pine street to Briggs street by
an eight Inch and preferably by a ten.
inch pipe.
q AS soon as funds are available. re.
place eight-inch main on Pine stree,
| with 1Q.inch frox,a Mali,