可怜的消防在密歇根州。

可怜的消防在密歇根州。

A correspondent of FIRE AND WATER ENGINEERING who attended the annual meeting of the Michigan Fire Protection association in Grand Rapids last week reports that the discussions were lively, and that a goodly number of members were present. A Detroit fire insurance agent stated that five cities of Michigan, in which millions of dollars are invested in buildings are practically without protection from fire. Continuing, he said that committees appointed 10 investigate conditions in various cities of the State made their report, and, in some cases, the statements were startling. One person said that in a city of 14,000 inhabitants there had been two fires entailing total losses, one in a school and one in a society hall. The water pressure at the time of the fires was insufficient to throw a stream as high as the second story of the building. With an adequate pressure the fire could have been extinguished promptly, with a total loss of not more than a few hundred dollars, instead of an aggregate loss of $38,000. He added that there arc five cities in which the water pressure is inadequate; several in which insufficient attention is paid to hydrants to prevent their freezing; and many others in which practically no effort is made to compel merchants to keep the basements of their stores free of refuse. None of these conditions apply to Grand Rapids or Detroit. Our correspendent points out that, while a considerable part of these charges could be substantiated, allowance must be made for the constant growl of the insurance man. It is his business to complain, in order to keep rates up. A cause of lack of pressure, however, is noticeable in many cases, and this could be improved with a little expense in laying mains of larger diameter in business sections. Hydrants, also, are reported as too small. These should be replaced by hydrants of, at least, five and onefourth inches connected to six-inch pipe. Where reasonable demands along this line are not complied with, the insurance man has a chance to object, but, no matter which way the wind blows, the taxpayer has to foot the bill.

The Combination Ladder Company reports through its New York Office that contracts have been received, for two aerial Seagrave trucks from Louisville, Ky. and for a city Seagrave truck from San Pedro, Cal.