Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-05-30
Fire Danger Here Grave;
CaIIBox System IS Need;
Action BY Council Urged

~ n &mD - y - =
Declaring that the city OF Sa-
lem is exposed to grave unneces-
sary fire dangers and that 1t is
fnadequateIy protected, deputies
of the state fire marshal depart
ment have filed a formal report
of their survey OF this city in
which they recommend the install
lation of a fire alarm system, the
purchase Of an aerial truck, new
pumper truck, a deluge set, life
net and more hydrants, and urge
the city council to pass ordinances
requiring that chimneys be period
ically cleaned and that worthless
or dangerous buildings be remov-
ed.
"The delay caused by telephone
fire alarm systems which are
notoriously defective in every city
has been the cause of heavy finan-
cial and property loss. Salem
should be provided with a stand
ard up-to-date box system with
out delay the report declares.
Fiermen Are Praised
Chief Hutton and his aides are
lauded by the fire marshaps dep
uties. ''fhat Salem has GOOD
fire department, with capable
chief at its head cannot be denied
but 1t is not extensive enough In
equipment or man power to meet
the requirements of place the
size of the state capital. The
ire department, the report con-
tirnes, is very seriously hampered
by its lack of sufficient apparatus
and an adequate number of com
panaes to protect the large area
and valuable property for which
1t is responsible.
That Chief Hutton should have
more time in which to discharge
his duties as fire warden, is the
belief of the deputres, who recon-
mend that arrangements be made
SO that this will be possible.
More Hydrants. Need
The matter of hydrants also is
touched upon by the deputies
"Hydrants too far apart" the re-
mort saws. "carr-o - owing in of
too long a lead OF hose anC a
many instances Ieu44e the wafer
pressure through frictioRal loss.
More hydrants should be installed,
and one at Hunts cannery should
be installed without delay"
The report refers favorably 10
the city's wide streets and states
that ''the general fire resistive
construction, together with the
wide streets, materially reduces
the conflagration hazard" II
adds:
"At the time OF our inspection
the streets and alleys were fount
TO be in first class condition 81
far as cleanliness is concerned
but very bad conditions wer'
found in many of the Easements
rooms and back yards of the bnsi
ness houses. Defective stoves
furnaces and flues were also prev
alent."
Stoves Need Attention
The ten public schools were
found by the deputies to be in {
very satisfactory condition anC
only minor improvements wer'
found necessary. The theateI
were found to be in need Of at
tention, tooth in regard to ele ;tr!c
al defects and bad housekeeping.
Every community shoud looI
the awful possibilities square II
the face" the report declares, "an'
try to realize what it would meal
to lose its chief wage produalni
industries, with the consequen
Gripping OF mercantile lie no
to speak OF the possible loss o
valuable records. art collection
over and above all consideration
of insurable or tangible property.
Warning Is Sounded
The report states that the fir
prevention ordinances Of the cit.
are quite adequate and would, /
enforced by systematic inspection
rid the city of much OF the pres
ent existing danger of fire"
In conclusion the report point
out lit is obvious that, il thes
conditions continue, Sooner o
later the price will be paid for tn
neglect and we sincerely hope lit
tie time will be lost in action upol
our recommendations, In orde
that the serious fire may be prev
ented, the property of the cit,
conserved and the lives Of its citi
gems safeguarded."
rhe report was drawn up D.
George w. stokes. Horace Syke
and James Gleason.