The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-08-21
ENGINEERS SURVEY
FOR FIRE PROBLEM

matter of adequate fire protection for
this city, as promised by the public
service commission, but facts learned
this morning may not be entirely sat-
isfactory to Winnemuccans. AS agreed,
the commission has sent their engi-
neer here to work with an engineer
from the fire underwriters in survey
ing the fire protection needs of this
city and to assist in securing the de-
sired improvements. Frank Shaker,
engineer for the board of fire under
writers, arrived here last Monday to
commence the work and F. o. Broili,
engineer for the public service COM
mission, came here yesterday from
Carson City.
Today and tomorrow they will go
over their findings and will probably
meet with the city council to explain
what will be required. Preliminary
examination shows that several thou
sand feet of new water mains will
have to be provided and approximate
ly fifteen new fire hydrants installed
In some parts of the city two-inch
mains supply water. That size, while
adequate to supply water for domestic
use, is deemed useless for fire-fignl-
ing purposes and will have TO be re
placed. Also, it now appears feasible
to erect a million-gallon reservoir on
one of the hills south of the city. to
be kept full at all times and the water
released in case of fire. All of this
work will entail expenditure of many
thousands of dollars. the approximate
amount to be estimated by the engi
neers when they complete their in
vestigation.
Consumers have got to ultimately
pay the bill and there seems to be
some doubt in the minds of the en-
gineers whether they will be willing
to meet the cost
In conversation with reporter for
The Silver State, this morning. Engi-
neer Shaker of the board of fire un-
derwriters said he was only recon
mending about half the work really
necessary for protection when he sug-
gested fifteen more hydrants and four
thousand feet of new water mains.
Asked about prospects for reduc-
ton in fire insurance rates for Win
nemucca property owners, he laughed,
first. He said that the cost of provid-
ing equipment sufficient to justify
rate reduction would be so great that
for him to suggest it would be use
less. He admitted that Winnemucca
is practically slated for an increase
in fire insurance rates, because of
an extremely bad record for fires. He
said Il would not be surprised at all
if rates are increased. If by doing
the work now contemplated, in pro-
viding better protection, Winnemucca
can avoid that increase, you may con-
slider yourself lucky. AT that, the
rates here ARE thirty-three and one
third per cent lower than in some
parts of Arizona"
Engineer Broili said that while the
public service commission can order
additional equipment installed to pro-
vide service for domestic users. that
commission cannot order work done
beyond a certain amount for fire pro-
lection, unless agreed by all parties
concerned, and then it would be
necessary to increase water rates to
consumers sufficiently to insure the
water company reasonable return
on their increased investment So
the meeting is to be held with The
city council. the matter explained tn
them, as also to the Winnemucca
Water & Light Company, after which
the public service commission will
work to secure a compromise.