The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-19
Anderson ASKING
new FIRE TRUCK
Present Equipment Declared
Unfit For Demands Now
Placed Upon II.

- aAASEaoul CITY hrs CHIEF, ii, II,
Green, Spray Sturm and H. e.
Baker, a committee working In
the interest Of an improved fire
department and equipment. ap-
peared before the city commission
last night ito learn Just how the
commission stood in regard TO
new equipment"
Mr.. Anderson as spokesman for
the committee began with q re-
quest for new hose. The hose now
in use, he said has been in use for
the past eight years, and 1t was
only guaranteed three years. The
chiefs claim was that the lose
now available is not safe, and
that In time Of fire there Is dan
ger Of 1t giving way under the
pressure 1t would be subjected 10.
Mr.. Anderson further called at
tention to the need of a fire
truck. Some time ago, he declared
a committee from the KlwaniS
Club was told by the commission
that II the bond issue went
through as proposed, the new
equipment would be bought. Mr..
Anderson owned that there seems
at present no chance for the bond
issue to be carried, but asked the
commission what the fire depart
ment might expect of them un'ler
the existing circumstances.
The commissioners present de-
clared their willingness to aid Ia
any way possible but, 1t was stat
ed, the city treasury will not per-
NIT Of the necessary expenditure
at this time. When Mr.. Anderson
asked II 1t were not true that 1.-THE
city levy exceeds the probable ca
penses for this year by nearly
$1,000, Commissioner A. j.
Hess said that "the city lacks
$4,000 Of having enough for the
improvements already proposed. i
The question then arose whetn
er, II these Improvement are not
made this fall, some Of the money
could not be used to make the
fire department up-to-date. Tkis
proposal was met with quick OBJ
lection because, it was stated,
1.-THE proposed improvements must
be carried out" It was. understood
that the proposed improvements
included the two new bridges
planned for Clarksburg and Buff
alo streets.
Fire Chief Anderson expressed
himself as fayoring a FIRE engine
that will pump water from the
creeks as well as carry chemicals,
and this style of engine was un
officially approved by the commits
sion.
Following discussion Of the
equipment desired, the COMMITTEES
was authorized to investigate the
desirability Of various makes OF
fire trucks and fire hose, and re-
port Its findings together with
prices and terms to the commits
sion at a later date. No definite
promise was secured, but the COM
missioners gave ground for the
belief that their cooperation
might be depended upon.
A touch Of humor was injected
into the discussion when Mr..
Baker asked Mr.. Hess what he
believed the attitude Of the pub
lie" to be regarding the proposed
fire equipment.
with the exception Of the XII
wants Club, the public has never
expressed itself to me-" replied
Mr.. Hess.
City Engineer G. c. coffman
made a report of the results Of a
recent survey Of Buffalo Creek
which was made with the object
Of determining whether obstfuc-
lions In the stream caused higher
foods In Warrington.
"Floods In the city seem to be
caused by distractions to the free
flow Of the stream" he said. "Ths
levels taken begin at the pool
formed by the dam made by the
South Penn Oil Co. at their Nor
gan Station and extend to the dam
at Furbee's Mill. In this sector
the first obstruction is at the
sharp turn below the pottery"
Here, It was stated, the construc.
ton Of the railroad caused the
creek to be turned from Its. former
channel so that the force Of the
current is thrown against the fill.
This, It was pointed out, checks
the flow and causes higher water
above this point.
1.-THE next obstruction is at the
dend at the old tannery." Here.
Mr.. CoHman said, the water Is
checked ip practically the same
way by the I'LL made for the street
car line.
1.-THE total fall in the stream
from Morgan Station to the Fur
bee DAM" 1t was stated, "is only
two feet. The total flood increase
In the flood level between these
two.points was five and a half feet
during the last food"
AS for remedies, Mr.. Coffman
said: 1--WE think the flood level in
the city might be reduced by re-
moving these obstructions and In
creasing the width of the channel
at the points of obstruction"
The engineer was not prepared
IN state inst hnw much the f1nnd
level might be reduced because.
he said, that would depend upon
the extent to which the obstruc-
tons were removed.
The proposed paving on Beatty
and Furbee avenues was taken up
by the commission, but 1t was de-
cIded to defer this work, until next
year. It was pointed out that the
season is now too far advanced to
permit Of the best results with the
STYLE Of pavement proposed.