The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-10
CHAM Der
TELLS Of
NEED
President Cans Asks Commits
sioners to Include Cost in
Forthcoming Budget.


Forthcoming Budget.
The Chamber of Commerce to-
day asked the District Commits
sioners to take definite action to
obtain a high pressure system for
the district. In a letter to them
President Isaac Cans stated that
the board of directors of the
Chamber at its recent meeting
unanimously reiterated its position
IN favor of the system.
Seek Better Protection.
The letter urged the Commissioners
to Iude the cost Of the system in
its budget for the next fiscal year.
1--WE request this action, not with
q view to reducing insurance rates,
which is of minor importance, but
for the better protection Of prop
erty," President Cans said.
The power Of the Board Of
Trade also is to be concentrated
behind the drive for a high pres
sure system, it was announced to-
day, even though this may work
to delay other projects.
1.-THE high pressure system will
be made the fight of the board
this year, to the exclusion, If
necessary. Of all other projects ex-
cept those which must be carried
forward or lost" it was announced,
following a meeting of the execu-
tive committee.
The committee unanimously APP
proved the campaign now being
conducted by the insurance and fire
protection committee, under David
M. Lea, chairman, and authorized
this committee and the water sup
ply committee, Francis r. Weller,
chairman, and such other commit
tees as may have an interest in the
issue to push the fight to the
limit"
Though installation Of high
pressure system has been advocated
by the Board Of Trade since 1908,
1t has never been made a real is
sue, as it is today.
Test of Sentiment.
The fight for the high pressure
system, it has been decided, is to
be made the test Of public opinion
IN Washington in the management
OF civic affairs. That opinion is in
favor of the high pressure system
has been amply demonstrated.
Practically every leading trade and
civic organization has gone on
record in favor of the project and
the others are to be asked to cx-
press their views and to give their
cooperation.
Further continuation of the pol
icy OF drawing on the city drink
Ing supply for fire fighting pur-
poses is likely to prove tragic
mistake" unless it is remedied in
the near future, the board declares.
1t is pointed out that in such fires
a. those at the Treasury Depart
ment the New Willard Hotel and
the National Hotel, approximately
100000 gallons of filtered water
was poured on the flames, in each
case, this supply coming from the
reservoirs upon which the city must
draw for all other purposes.
The great fire which recently de-
stroyed the northeast lumber yard
proved such a drain that it became
necessary to shut off the supply
of water to homes in q large sec.
ton of the city for the greater
part of the day, to obtain sufficient
water to cope with the blaze. IN
the recent Peoples drugstores ware
house fire, it Is stated, the pumping
engines could not draw enough wa.
ter from the already overburdened
mains to adequately fight the blaze.
Refute One Charge.
Members of the Board of Trade
today refuted the argument that
the high pressure system would lie
of benefit only to the business sec,
ton Of the city. 1t will prove Of
inestimable value to all sections. II
was pointed out.
Installation of the pressure sys
tenn will release all pumping euuip
ment from fire houses in the down
town section for duty in the resi-
Dental portions, thereby providing
nearly double the present amount
OF protection.
In addition, because Of the cuttino
of the entire downtown fire plur
system from the present source 81
supply, an adequate flow can h.
assured the outlying sections. The
outlying sections, 1T is stated, ais,
will benefit from The reduction n
insurance rates through this addet
protection.
The area to be covered by tn.
high pressure system will be wei
within 1000 acres, it is stated, {
smaller area than must be similarl,