Is Montreal in Danger?

Is Montreal in Danger?

It is stated by a local insurance man who has been making a study of the situation that there are in round numbers some 85,000 people in Montreal, Canada, who are in imminent danger of water famine. The districts affected, with the approximate population of each, are: Outremont, 4,000; Laurier, 36,000; St. Denis, 28,000; Villeray, 4,000; Delorimier, 12,600. F. H. Pitcher, of the water company, says: “We have a pressure of sixty pounds in these districts that arc mentioned. We have heard no complaints of water famine. The matters are before the courts now and we feel it better to discuss them.” St. Denis and Delorimier, covering an area roughly estimated at five square miles, it is claimed, is in the most serious danger, not so much because the domestic supply may become seriously affected, but because should a serious fire begin it is alleged that the pressure would scarcely be sufficient to check the flames. It is claimed that there is nothing like the pressure contracted for in the district in question. It is alleged that tests made recently showed that all that could he obtained from the hose was a stream that just reached the top of a thirty-five foot building. Mr. Pitcher stated, on the contrary, that streams of seventy-five feet high could be gotten with the present pressure of sixty pounds. The tests were made but a few days ago. Mr. Pitcher also intimated that the company was quite ready to provide the couplings that the city might indicate are needed.

It is stated by a local insurance man who has been making a study of the situation that there are in round numbers some 85,000 people in Montreal, Canada, who are in imminent danger of water famine. The districts affected, with the approximate population of each, are: Outremont, 4,000; Laurier, 36,000; St. Denis, 28,000; Villeray, 4,000; Delorimier, 12,600. F. H. Pitcher, of the water company, says: “We have a pressure of sixty pounds in these districts that arc mentioned. We have heard no complaints of water famine. The matters are before the courts now and we feel it better to discuss them.” St. Denis and Delorimier, covering an area roughly estimated at five square miles, it is claimed, is in the most serious danger, not so much because the domestic supply may become seriously affected, but because should a serious fire begin it is alleged that the pressure would scarcely be sufficient to check the flames. It is claimed that there is nothing like the pressure contracted for in the district in question. It is alleged that tests made recently showed that all that could he obtained from the hose was a stream that just reached the top of a thirty-five foot building. Mr. Pitcher stated, on the contrary, that streams of seventy-five feet high could be gotten with the present pressure of sixty pounds. The tests were made but a few days ago. Mr. Pitcher also intimated that the company was quite ready to provide the couplings that the city might indicate are needed.