Evening star., 1923-07-08
High Pressure and Insurance.

The fact develops that there is no
basis for the suggestion that the fire
underwriters of the District have de-
olined to forecast any reduction, OF
rates here in case the proposed high
pressure service for firefighting is in
stalled. 1t was announced the other
day that failure to obtain such assur-
ance was one Of the reasons why the
water department of the District de-
clined to recommend an estimate for
installation of the high-pressure sys-
tenn for inclusion in the Districts s
budget for the coming fiscal year. Now
it appears. that, on the contrary, there
is strong disposition on the part OF
the rating board of the District under
writers to recognize the fuller protec.
tion which a high-pressure system
would insure in terms Of lower rates.
AS matter of fact it seems that a
fear prevails at the District building
lest it would be impolitic to ask Con-
gress for an adequate fire department
appropriation to cover all the needs
OF that important branch Of the mu.
nicipal service. The fire department
needs more motors and more equip
ment generally. 1t also undoubtedly
needs more water with which to fight
fires. The District could be given a
most perfect outfit Of movable pumps,
technically known as fire engines, and
Yet be subject to the danger of great
confiagration through lack of sufficient
water to quench big fire.
The point of most importance in this
connection is that the District is now
using for fire extinguishment water
from the reservoirs and filter plant, a
supply which is barely adequate to
meet the daily needs Of the commu-
nifty for drinking and bathing. If a
great fire should start in the down
town section requiring the services Of
the whole departments contingency
which, Of course. 1t s prayed will
never occur-there would not be wa
ter enough to fight it. And while it
was in progress the drain upon the
city mains would be SO great that the
of water for other uses for hours.
Regardless Of the insurance rates,
and regardless also of the need of
equipment. the first consideration
should be to provide system whereby
the District can fight any fire in the
closely built area with water drawn
from the river and not from the reser-
voirs water without stint. and without
depicting the supply for other uses.
A city that depends upon its drink
ing water supply for firehghting runs
a very grave risk. Washington has
run that risk for many years. and
during the greater part of the time
there has been barely enough water to
meet the ordinary demands Of the
people.
Now that it is stated on good au-
thority that in all likelihood the insur-
ance rates will fall If the high pres
sure system is installed the only con-
ceivable excuse--and that not par
ticularly convincing-for delay in ask
ing Congress for the necessary funds
for this installation disappears. The
Commissioners should recommend an
appropriation for beginning this long
postponed, and consequently now
more expensive, work regardless Of
the cost. and regardless also OF the
possible effect upon the cost of insur-
ance. For what Washington should
have is protection from loss through
abundant firefghting water supply,
whatever it pays for protection in
terms of insurance after loss.