Putnam patriot., 1925-10-09
TALKS ON FIRE HAZARDS
Continued from page one)

would be used on occasions for deco rauve purposes by inserting flags. That when not in use they would be covered with metal caps flush with fhe sidewalk so as not to form an obstruction. He asked the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce to sneak on the matter.
 Mir. Macdonald told the council that inc proposition was for the benefit sf the merchants of the city princip- aIIv. That when called upon Co de- corate their places of business in the mast an expert decorator had Co be secured and it cost from $500 to SI,- GOO each time. That the present flag plan of decoration would only entail au initial expense, that it Is being aaopted in many cities with success and that it is recommended by the merchants committee of the Cham Der. The committee submitted pe- tition signed by most all of the mer- chants. It was voted that the permis- sion be granted.
 Lack Water Pressure
 The matter of the communication from the Putnam company relative to low pressure in the water main near the company's plant was discussed at length. Chief Thurston of the fire department was asked if the pressure was ever as low as stated in the com munication, fifteen pounds. The fire chief said in part:
 ..The pressure has been as low as fifteen pounds. MT. Reynolds has been before the water commissioners regarding the lack of water pressure. The company needs a pressure of 60 hounds to test it's boilers. They also tried to put in a sprinkler system and the underwriters came out and after investigation stated that there was not sufficient pressure or water for a sprinkler system. The company then installed a pump of it's own and 1 believe take water from the pond nearby.
 Critieixes Chief
 After the recent fire talked with Mir Clifford and he criticized the chief and the water commission for moi having better water pressure. l told him that when the system was install ed that there were only few hous- es and the foundry was a small plant Now there is the plant of the Stand ard Oil company, the Dean Pin fac tory. an enlarged foundry and build ings are, and have been, springing up in this locality. The water com missioners feel themselves that there is not sufficient pressure there. MT. Sharpe said we were getting sixty pounds. When we put on the pump we pulled it down to fifteen pounds but were putting on more water.
 Lack Building Rules
 We have no building rules. Build ings can be erected anywhere. We are a little below standard.
 Mayor. ''You're right
 We have few hazards that are are bad" continued the chief The Texas Oil Co.,, Whipple & Gilpatrie and the coal sheds If we have hre in that locality it is apt to be bad
 Mayor. "Is it a six inch pipe?'
 Yes" said the chief "and 1t Is eorroded through long use and more or less clogged with foreign sub stance.
 Il do not wish to criticize the water commissioners. 1 think they realize there are a number of places m town that are not what they should be- There could be quite lot of money snent and I don't think they want to spend it before they get 1t.
 Hvdrant. Don't Mean Water
 "Hydrants don't mean water. have talked before of the pressure on the end of Walnut street and Grand View. l believe it is not sufficient. l 'hihA that the public sits back, sees n.y. drant. and thinks this is protection. think it would surprise you II took you to the end of Walnut street ana opened the hydrant. All you would see would be a stream Of water triek- ling a few inches from the connection. And the pump wouldn't be adequate on account of insufficient water. l think that the commissioners ought to come before the council and make the situa- ton plain. They know they haven | sufficient water pressure; they know they haven't sufficient storage and that the tank on the hill is not sufiicient' They have land bought and plans made to remedy the situation, but have not seen fit to reveal them. For six months reliance was placed on one electric pump. If anything had happened to It they would have had to fall back on their water pump. This is being reme- died by the new pump which Is neariy completed"
 Past Hazards
 The chief also told of the past haz- ard when one fire truck was under re- pair and there was only one available truck in the department, and went st.ii farther back to the time of the oid horse drawn hook and ladder truck so heavy 1t was unavailable.
 The mayor said that he had talked with the commissioners and they hao suggested an eight inch main.
 The chief continued: Il thought l would Eo out and make test but II almost seems underhanded to go out and show up the water department, al though am responsible and feel that these things should be known regard less of whom 1t hits.
 It was voted that the matter be re- ferred to the board of water commits sloners.
 Sf0o For Webster
 After it had been voted to extend a vote of thanks to the members of the N4Ha a FH !. .H