New Britain herald., 1923-02-14
FIRE Commission
hostile To PLAN
,eOuunusd from Firs, psse,

He assured the hoard that he would
he willing 20 cooperate with any adj
ministTatOF named, hni did not feel
that he could assume the entire job
chief Noble suggested that the pos
lice department be asked 10 take over
the work, In explanation ne said
that the department has more men
who can he utilized in following np
complaints " he or his men were
% go out on that work and an alarm
came in, they might hear IL and they
might not,
Cans SECS Danger in Protest
Commissioner Cans felt il would he
an absolute danger 10 the city Of New
Britain 10 have its tire chief tied up
with the duties OF the new office, HE
informed the hoard that the chief OF
tho fire department is not the fire
marshal in all cities, as is the ease in
New Britain, hence the suggestion
that fire marshals take over the work,
Iie suggested that the board so on
record as opposed 20 the idea and az
the request Of Chairman keeyers put
his suggestion into the form of a mo-
ton,
AZ the opening Of the meeting.
Hugo DoeFr, representing the New
Britain lee corporation. was given a
hearing on claim OF the fire COM
mission for $50 damages against the
lee corporation in the breaking OF a
banjo alarm box at Rockwell avenue
and Arch street
Tho alarm box was broken Friday,
December s. when an ice wagon
owned by the New Britain Ice corpor-
alton and driven by BENJAMIN Thomp-
son crashed into II. The corporation
does not accept liability. claiming that
the box was placed too close TO the
curb and that Q driver in the exer-
else OF great care would be liable TO
break Il.
Chief Noble presented his report |
for the past month. showing 20 fires. |
eight OF which were bell alarms and |
Is still alarms. Tho losses to build |
ings was $7S55 and TO contents OF |
buildings si3,l44. making a total loss |
of S20.999. all of which was covered |
by insurance. The amount OF prop |
erty at risk during the fires was s2S2.-
400. of which s154.700 was represent
ed in buildings and si27.700 in con-
tents.
supt. George Cooley of the electri- |
cal department told the commission |
that the materials for the Park street |
subway have arrived in the city and |
he is prepared to proceed with the
work as soon as weather conditions |
will permit.
Vehicles Must Halt at Alarm.
Commissioner Cans brought to the
attention OF the board the rapidly in
creasing number of violations of the
city ordinance prohibiting vehicles
from continuing in motion while fire
apparatus is on the street to a fire.
The commissioner said he witnessed
a close escape during the week that
had been due to such a violation.
Chief Noble stated that the depart-
ment has had many like experiences
of late. There seems to be dispo-
sition on the part of some autoists to
race the fire apparatus, while in gen
eral there is disregard for the or
dinance. He has instructed all the
men in the department to be on the
lookout for future violators and take
their registration number for prose-
cution.
Chairman Keevers suggested that
rigid enforcement of the city ordin-
ance be tried to break up the prac-
tlce. At his suggestion, violators in
the future will be summoned into DO
lice court.
Bills for the month were approved
and report of Deputy Chief Barnes
for the fire prevention bureau was
read and accepted by the board.