Evening star., 1925-07-13
STAR TO GIVE CUP
FOR FASTEST START
BYD. C.F|RE TRUCK
Tests of All Apparatus to Be
Made Shortly in Annual
Competition.
RESCUE CREW BREAKS
RECORD DURING TRIAL
Gets Away in 8 Seconds, While
Two Engines Equal Baltimore
Mark of 10 Seconds.

Washingtons fire fighters have set
out to- better Baltimore's much.adyer-
used record of 10 seconds in getting
away on an alarm of fire, and If a
preliminary unofficial test held this
morning is a creditable harbinger the
laurel is already as good as transfer
red to the 1st Rescue Company, sta
toned on Twelfth street near G street.
Carefully timed by Deputy Chief
Thomas O'Conner, departmental drill
master, and reporter for The Star.
the 1st Rescue Company, commanded
at the time by Lieut.. W. A. Parater
and driven by Pvt. j. L. Weiheim,
took only seconds from the time
IL was clear across the sill of the
engine house and turning down
Twelfth street toward the box
That is just one second better than
the prize company in Baltimore was
able to do. Exactly the same condi-
tions were imposed, the engine was
placed precisely the same distance
from the door as in Baltimore and the
same number box was struck-No. 13.
And two other companies, Nos and
j engine companies. equaled the Balti-
more departments time, although they
needed a Second trial to do It.
Ihu Star Offers Cup.
When Baltimore nosed out Detroit
and claimed TO have the fastest engine
company in the United States, 1t hav.
ing actually gotten started on its way
10 a fire 10 seconds after the first tap
OF the gong, that fact was broadcast
over the country. Almost Immediately
1t was challenged by George Watson,
chief engineer of the Washington Fire
Department, who declared his faith
in finding a company here that could
at least equal 10 seconds and probably
beat it,
Arrangements were promptly made
Tor testing the entire department here.
and The Star now offers a large silver
loving cup to the Washington COM
pany that makes the best time In
getting out of its station on a regular
alarm. The name of the company
winning the contest is to be inscribed
on the cup, and, Chief Watson hav-
ing suggested that the test should be
made an annual event, it has been
tentatively arranged that the company
winning the trophy three times be-
comes its permanent owner
Last Wednesday morning Deputy
Chief OConner and a reporter for The
Star went to Baltimore and requested
Chief Engineer Emerich of that city
70 permit thein 10 see the prize COM
pany go out of the house under ex-
actIy the same conditions as the day
on which it established the record of
10 seconds. The request was readily
granted and the speed and precision
with which the Baltimore flremen
worked was frankly amazing
Record Hard to Beat.
The apparatus, a regulation hose
carrier, was placed with its rear stem
81 feet from the farther edge of the
sill to be crossed en- route to the fire.
Its men, with two executions. were
ordered to the rear of the engine
house, not being permitted to hold
themselves in positions such as run
ners on their marks, ready to go.
Conditions of ease were carried out
as far as 1t was possible with the men
understanding what was to occur.
Without warning box No. IS struck.
From the time the first stroke clicked
until the apparatus was comnletelv
out of the door and on its way but 10
seconds elapsed. That meant the
motor was turned over. the men reach
ed their stations, the box was located
and the command go" was given by
the officer in charge, all in such
short space of time. Deputy Chief
OConnor admitted on the spot that IL
was a hard record to beat.
This morning preliminary test was
made here, first at No 2 engine COM
pany. Driver William Jaeger mis-
Understood the instructions on the
first test and did not start his motor
until the box had finished striking.
AS result, his time was IL seconds.
Upon learning that he should start
his motor going the minute he reached
his seat, however. he had the big ap-
paratus rolling and clear of the sill,
tearing to the box, in exactly 10 sec
onds. Sergeant J. Sheahen was in
command.
Rescue Company Leads.
Then the First Rescue Company
was visited. 1t needed no second trial.
Like a flash it was gone the instant
the gong had ceased, requiring only
seconds to pass the given spot. That
beat Baltimore's record by a second,
but it was unofficial At No. Com
pany the first start was slow. Driver
r. E. Hunt unavoidably jamming his
gears at the shift. His first time was
II seconds, but on a second trial he
made II in 10 seconds.
When the actual tests begin within
q few days, however. there will be
no second trial, no excuses. The best
driver and the best company will win.
Had today's test been official only the
first rsecue squad would have been
in the running, and If it can duph-
cate its. own record it will take a fast
company anywhere to beat 1t. Mem
bers of the rescue squad, however,
declared they had timed themselves
before and had been out of the house
on an actual alarm in seconds.
Full rules <2r the competition are
being drawn up by Chief George Wat
son now and will be sent to the differ
ent stations. AS soon as they have
been distributed to the different en-
CINE houses and been read to the men
the official tests will begin. Deputy
Chief O'Conner and a reporter for The
Star will visit Zach company in Wash
ington, including Is4ck companies,
and time them on the getaway ~
box 13. The one with the lowest time