USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1872 > Part 17
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There has been expended for new Cases and Shelves,
$391 00
66 66
Double Windows,
94 69
66
66
Heating Coils and Pipe, 275 00
66
66 66 Fire Extinguisher and Buckets, 56 25
66
66 Ordinary repairs,
131 65
Total,
$948 59
Respectfully,
CHAS. H. MORGAN. T. L. NELSON.
31
238
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
To Hon. Stephen Salisbury, President of the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library of Worcester :
The Finance Committee submit the following report of the Receipts and Expenditures on account of the Free Public Library for eleven months of the fiscal year of the city, ending Nov. 30, 1872.
Balance of former appropriation in the Treasury,
Jan. 1, 1872,
$4,556 02
City appropriation for 1872,
8,000 00
Dog Fund,
1,942 24
Catalogues sold to School Superintendent,
12 50
$14,510 76
Bills approved and payments thereon as follows :
For Books and Stationery,
$4,236 21
For Printing,
79 11
For Binding,
602 55
For Gas to Aug. 1, (later payments sus- pended by the City,)
515 48
For Salaries and care of building,
3,521 25
For Coal and Wood,
379 05
For Furniture and Fixtures,
72 15
For Insurance,
499 50
For Steam Coils, Book Cases and Shelving,
806 15
For Incidental Expenses,
12 20-$10,723 65
Balance on hand Dec. 1, 1872,
3,787 11
$14,510 76
For the Committee,
H. A. MARSH, Chairman.
239
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
THE GREEN LIBRARY FUND.
The Finance Committee of the Free Public Library submit the fol- lowing report of the Green Library Fund, for the eleven months of the fiscal year of the City, ending Nov. 30, 1872. ·
Statement of the Fund Jan. 1, 1872.
Notes secured by Mortgage,
Bank Stocks (par value,)
Worcester City Notes,
$19,498 50 6,200 00 7,443 78-$33,142 28
Statement of the Fund Dec. 1, 1872.
Notes secured by Mortgage,
Bank Stocks, (par value,)
Worcester City Notes,
$16,048 50 6,700 00 11,010 90-$33,759 40
Income for eleven months ending Nov. 30, 1872.
Interest on Mortgage Notes,
$1,220 07
Dividends on Bank Stocks,
640 00
Interest on City Notes,
594 22
Interest on Bank Deposits,
14 21 -$2,468 50
One quarter of Income added to Fund as per provisions of Will, $617 12
Balance of Income appropriated for purchase of Books, 1,851 38 - $2,468 50
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Balance in City Treasury Jan. 1, 1872,
$1,113 11
Appropriated for purchase of Books,
1,851 38
Interest on Bank Deposits, 25 50
Bank Tax of 1871 refunded,
110 98 -$3,100 97
Expended for purchase of Books,
$1,652 13
Balance Dec. 1, 1872, 1,448 84 - $3,100 97
Respectfully submitted for the Finance Committee,
H. A. MARSH, Chairman.
240
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF READING ROOM FUND.
NATHANIEL PAINE, Treasurer, in account with the READING ROOM FUND of FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
1872.
DR.
$24 42
Jan. 1. To Balance on hand, To Cash for Interest on City Bonds, 300 00
To Cash for Interest on U. S. Bonds, 375 83
To Cash from City Appropriation, 100 00 To Cash, Special Appropriation by Directors, 31 35
To Cash for Books purchased on account of the Library,
70 77 - $902 37
1872. CR.
By Cash paid for subscriptions to Newspapers and Periodicals, $749 21
By Cash for Postage, 2 44
By Cash paid for Books for Library, 70 77
Balance of cash Dec. 27, 1872, 79 95 - $902 37
The Reading Room Fund is invested in -
City of Worcester Bonds, $5,000 00
United States Bonds, 5,650 00
Total Fund,
-- $10,650 00
Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL PAINE, Treasurer.
I have examined the securities and vouchers in the hands of the Treasurer, and find his accounts and statements correct.
H. A. MARSH, Chairman Finance Committee. Dec. 31, 1872.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Hon. City Council :
By the provisions of an Ordinance establishing a Fire Depart- ment in the City of Worcester, the Board of Engineers have the honor to respectfully submit for your consideration their Annual Report of the condition and operations of the department for the year ending December 31, 1872.
Annexed thereto will be found a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures, a roll of the members of the several companies, a list of fires and alarms that have occurred, together with the amount of property destroyed in the city during the year. And in this connection, the Board are happy in being able to state, that upon proper representation, your assistance and cooperation has always been promptly and cheerfully rendered in aiding them in the discharge of their duties, and for which the Board desire to tender their sincere thanks.
HOSE COMPANIES.
The Board more and more see the necessity of establishing more Hose Companies, and would recommend that one be located in the western part of the city, and another near Fox's Mills. The experience we have had with our self-constituted Hose Com- panies will warrant our saying, that the services rendered by them can scarcely be over-estimated, especially in the early stages of a
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
fire and before steamers could have been brought to bear upon it. In proof of the exceeding valuableness of such service the Records of the Department show that of the forty-eight (48) alarms of fire for the past year,-and a majority of them working fires,-the use of steamers has been required but four (4) times. It should not be inferred from this, however, that the Board esteem the services of steamers of little account, for such is not the case by any means, but, as before remarked, in the early stages of a fire, a ready and quick hose company is of inestima- ble value. Nothing should be left undone to render them yet more efficient if possible than they are. There is no doubt but that they have been the means in many cases of stopping incipi- ent conflagrations, which would have been full as disastrous to us in their results as was the great fire in Boston to that city.
It is evident from the experience of Boston and Chicago, that more attention should be paid to the best methods of bringing to bear a small quantity of water on the fire in its infancy, so to speak, than to depend entirely upon the slower moving steamer with power sufficient to pour a deluge upon it when it has assumed gigantic proportions.
In no other country has the steam fire engine arrived at that degree of perfection to which it has in this. So much so in fact, that it has had the effect of lulling us into a too great sense of security. For while cities with a good supply of water, some of whom like ourselves have it by the force of gravity brought to their doors, have depended entirely upon them, we find the lesser towns and villages with very little of this life-giving and fire- quenching element at their command, furnishing themselves with them and then going home, no longer disturbed with visions of their shops and dwellings in flames, until they are aroused by the alarm bell to find the fire fiend busy at his work of destruc- tion, while their new-found friend is slowly moving to the scene. When they soon find that this thirsty monster in a very short time has swallowed up their limited supply of water and thrown it on a much more thirsty one, who in turn has absorbed and turned it into a harmless vapor, while he goes on with his work of destruction unmolested. From past experience this Board has arrived at this conclusion, -That for cities blessed as we are with
243
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
a fair, if not an abundant supply of water, which only waits to be first liberated, and then directed by brave hearts and willing hands upon the fire, the true policy is to provide the very best means for getting men and hose to the point in danger in the shortest time possible. While for smaller towns and villages, who are without a large supply of water, the Fire Extinguisher, that little machine which is destined to perform an important part in the prevention of large fires, on account of its lightness and simplicity, would be an excellent substitute for the Acqueduct and Hose carriage, being a combination of both to a limited extent, and in many , cases performing the office of both equally well.
The Board would in view of these facts which they now lay before you, ask you to consider the propriety of procuring horses to draw the Hose Carriages, said horses to be at all times kept in readiness to be attached to the carriage in as short a time as pos- sible upon the sounding of the aların.
During the past year an order was passed authorizing the pur- chase of land sufficient for the erection thereon of two (2) Engine Houses, one for the portion of the city west of Main Street, the other in the vicinity of Fox's Mill; also two (2) Hose Carriages to be placed therein.
Anxious inquiries come quite frequently from the citizens living in those sections of the city, as to the time when they are to be furnished with these very necessary safeguards. We trust, gentle- men, that your early attention to this matter will enable the Board to give them an early and satisfactory answer, and also stop the dismal prognostications of some wise and otherwise men, as to the fate of that large section of our city.
Some time after the passage of the above order, another was introduced asking that it might be so modified as to substitute a Fire Extinguisher for the Hose Carriage.
While the Board recognize the value of these machines, they are not quite ready to trust the whole of the territory west of Main street to the Extinguisher alone, but in addition would recommend a Hose Carriage, and perhaps a Steamer ; they also see the desirableness, if not the necessity, of two or three, if not more, extinguishers in other parts of the city, for they might in many cases obviate the necessity of pouring a torrent of water on a small fire.
244
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
Another argument in favor of those machines, is the fact that we are suffering from a limited water supply-not so much from an absolute scarcity it is true, as from the inadequacy of the channel through which it flows : this will be remedied, it is true, in a measure, by the connection soon to be made with the high service main ; but the Board feel that this will be but a temporary relief, for it will give those who indulge in a too lavish use of the water, a still better opportunity to indulge in the to them harmless pastime of letting it run for hours through the hand hose, or allow a leaky faucet to dribble away for months, not dreaming that more water is wasted in that way than is used in their family perhaps tenfold; others during the cold weather prefer to open all the faucets up-stairs rather than take the trou- ble to close the one in the cellar.
To such an extent is the latter carried on in cold weather, that there is nearly as much water drawn from the reservoir at night, when the large manufacturing establishments are closed, as when they are in operation. Water closets are another source of waste; in summer, if they become offensive, water is permitted to run constantly to cleanse them, while in winter it is allowed to run to prevent it from freezing.
With so many unnecessary outlets, it is not strange that our elaborate system of sewerage is necessary ; but it will be stranger yet, if we are not forced to ask for an additional water supply at an early day. Below will be found the pressure shown by the gauge at the several points indicated. A casual glance at the figures will convince you that very little execution can be done without the aid of steamers.
At Edward, Wilmot, and Providence streets, opposite the Medical College, and several other points not here named, no water can be had, until the pipes are filled from Bell Pond.
[Pressure taken between 9 and 11 A. M., Dec. 3.]
Providence street, corner of Waverly, Thirty Pounds, (30.)
Harrison, Thirteen " (13.)
66
Patterson, No Water.
Barclay,
Etna, Twelve Pounds, (12.)
Orient, Eighteen 66 (18,)
Grafton, 66
66 66
Coral, Forty-four (44.)
245
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Crown street, corner of Congress,
Fifteen pounds, (15.)
Pleasant
West,
Twenty-five " (25.)
Elm Top of the Hill,
Twenty one " (21.)
Chestnut, 66 Opposite William,
Nine
(9.)
The gate being open at Bell Pond increases the pressure at the above points twenty-three (23) pounds, which is opened by the Water Department on an alarm of fire.
STEAMERS.
It is not to be supposed from the fact that our steamers are so seldom used that this Board underrates their value, but while act- ing on the principle that a little water applied in season is much better than a larger quantity after the fire has gained consid- erable headway, they are not unmindful of the fact that we may not always be able to attain that very desirable end. It is then that the value of the steamer becomes apparent. That powerful agent, steam, that in skilled hands performs such wonders, comes to our aid, and for hours, days or weeks, if need be, pours steady streams of water on the flames, until they are subdued.
If Boston, with its well appointed and well disciplined fire de- partment, can meet with such a disaster as that of the 9th of November, it is possible that Worcester, so seldom suffering from fires of any magnitude, may yet, through some unforeseen circumstance, meet with a similar one. It is well then to make wise provisions for such a contingency. Worcester is not like Bos- ton, surrounded by towns of considerable importance, all of whom could render valuable aid in such an emergency ; on the contrary, our neighbors, though ever so willing, have not. the necessary appliances to render us much assistance.
Gov. Lincoln Steam Fire Engine, No. 1.
Located in Bigelow Court. This engine was built by Silsby & Mynders, of Seneca Falls, N. Y. It has Holly's patent rotary engine and pump, and has been in service since 1860. It is capable of throwing six hundred gallons (600) of water per min- ute, at a fair working pressure. It is a very crude affair com- pared with engines made at the present day, much of the work
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
was poorly done, and the various parts poorly proportioned ; as a consequence a very large sum has been expended on it since its introduction here. The Board would recommend that it be now laid by, to be used only in case of an emergency, such as a large fire, or to take the place of one of the other engines, while undergoing necessary repairs.
Col. Davis Steam Fire Engine, No. 2.
Situated on Beacon street. This engine was built by H. C. Silsby & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1863, and was put in service in June of that year. It will throw, at a fair working pressure, about five hundred (500) gallons of water per minute. It has Holly's patent rotary engine and pump, and is in good work- ing condition, and will require no considerable outlay for some time to come. The weight of this engine when drawn to a fire is about 7,200 pounds.
A. B. Lovell Steam Fire Engine, No 3.
Situated on School street. This engine was built by H. C. Silsby & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1867. It has Holly's rotary engine and pump, and is a most decided improvement over the others made for the city by the above firm, having cost scarcely anything for repairs since its introduction here ; in fact it has given the best of satisfaction. It will throw about five hun- dred (500) gallons of water per minute, at a fair working pressure, and weighs, when going to a fire, about 7,200 pounds.
Steam Fire Engine No. 4.
This engine is to take the place of the Hand Engine formerly located at Webster Square. A contract was made early in the year, with the Allen Fire Department Supply Co., of Providence, R. I., to build an engine, which is not yet quite finished. They in the meantime furnishing one, which we now use. Unlike those already owned by the city, it is to be a reciprocating engine, with two (2) steam cylinders and two (2) double acting pumps, the weight when delivered to be about 4,500 pounds.
247
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Niagara Engine Company, No. 3.
In addition to the foregoing steam engines, there is a Hand En- gine, located at Quinsigamond, with a company of forty (40) men, in charge of Edwin L. Gates, which contributes very much to the protection of that section of our city from fire. The Board would suggest to you the necessity of laying an iron pipe to connect with the force pump at the Wire Mill, through the principal streets of the village ; and then putting in a sufficient number of hydrants, which would add very much to the efficiency of the company in case of fire.
The experience of the members of the Board at the great fire in Boston demonstrated the necessity for one or two yet more powerful steamers than those we now have, to be located in that portion of the city where the highest buildings are situated. Consequently, an order was passed, authorizing the purchase of one of this class. A contract was at once made with the Amos- keag Corporation, of Manchester, N. H., for the construction of the same, to be delivered at an early day.
THE CONDITION OF ENGINE HOUSES.
Some of the houses in which the apparatus is kept, belonging to this department, have for a long time been a disgrace to the city. Owing to a lack of office room in the City Hall building, at the commencement of the year, it was considered necessary to take the office used by this Board.
In view of this fact it became necessary to find other quarters. While looking up the room sought for, his Honor, the Mayor, strayed into one of the houses before alluded to in such unenvi- able terms; to say the least, the sight that there presented itself surprised him. For it seemed as if the smoke and soot that be- grimmed every thing from top to bottom, was scarce sufficient to hide the blush of shame and indignation that covered the face of the bare brick walls, at being caught in such a plight by such a distinguished visitor.
From the condition in which his Honor found things in this in- stance, it must have been evident to him that extravagance, which
248
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
seemed to many minds to be the cause of the enormous propor- tions of our city debt, could not be charged upon this Depart- ment in the matter of houses, furniture and all other fixtures belonging thereto.
As soon as possible after the beginning of the year 1872, an inspection of the several houses was made, by the Committee on the Fire Department and members of this Board.
The condition of things found there spoke volumes for the zeal of the men, who for a trivial sum, not only risked life and limb for the protection of the lives and property of our citizens, but could patiently put up with quarters, compared to some of which a tomb might be considered a cheerful place. Thanks to the efforts of the Committee, a gradual improvement has been going on in this respect. Another story has been added to the house in Bigelow Court, thereby furnishing ample room for the elec- tric apparatus of the Fire Alarm, as well as quarters for the engineers. A work-shop, store-room, bed-rooms for the men, besides bath-rooms, and other things necessary for their com- fort and convenience.
The houses occupied by Hose 3 and 5 have also received con- siderable attention. The walls have been sheathed, giving them quite an air of comfort ; and beds and bedding have been fur- nished for those who sleep there. The stoves, which, like the man with a tape-worm, consumed a vast amount of material with very little benefit, and vainly tried to raise the temperature of the room above that of an ice-house, have been removed to give place to others of an improved pattern. Water-closets have been placed in them, but the luxury of a bath-tub has been ventured on only in the house in Bigelow Court.
The house occupied by steamer No. 4, at Webster Square, has undergone some alterations, made necessary by the change from hand to steam power; it having been found necessary to make more room between the ceiling and floor, it was accomplished by lowering the latter; the roof has also been newly shingled.
MANUAL FORCE.
The manual force of the Department has been reduced the last
249
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
year 28 men, and at the same time rendering the Department more efficient. A steamer has been placed at New Worcester, in place of a hand machine of 40 men; a saving of cost about five dollars per day. And, may it please your Honorable Body, while we have at some length enlarged upon the improvements of the mechanical force, it is not to be understood that we for one mo- ment lose sight of the valuable and steadily improved efficiency of our manual force, for it is with the greatest of pleasure that the Board of Engineers are enabled to report the Department in this particular, in its discipline, readiness and effectiveness, in a condi- tion second to no other fire department within the range of our knowledge; the members thereof vieing with each other who shall do the most good and least harm at fires, who shall be the most energetic in saving property as well from damage by water as from fire. Always manifesting a healthy enthusiasm and energy in responding to any and all calls for their services as fire- men, thus showing a large decrease in damage by water or fire, as a large majority of the whole number of fires during the last year represent losses under twenty-five (25) dollars each, which the figures in the table of fires and losses, annexed to this report, will demonstrate. The Board have no desire to leave this sub- ject without calling the attention of your Honorable Body to the arduous, and, from year to year, increasing duties of our Hook and Ladder men. To their particular service, in the opinion of this Board, is due, a liberal share of the success of the Depart- ment the past year, as it is often the case, upon the arrival of the Department the only appearance of fire is a dense smoke issuing from the threatened premises, which, if water was freely used, without first examining the premises, and determining, if pos- sible, the exact location of the fire, the probable damage by water would be great; which, by the reason of the fear- less and faithful efforts of this branch of our Department, who are ever willing and ready to perform their duty, how- ever dangerous the undertaking; and many times when the fire is reached, it is found to require but a few buckets of water, which, being immediately applied, the fire is extinguished, and excessive loss by water avoided ; again, during the continu- ance of fires, however small or great, the services of the ladder
,
250
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
men are in constant demand, a ladder wanted here and an axe there, this stuff overhauled, and that portion of the premises to be pulled down, duties which are often times extremely laborious and continued a long time after the rest of the Department have been relieved; and without detracting an iota from the valuable and efficient services always rendered by the other branches of the Department, the Board are happy to say, that in their opinion, the services of the ladder men cannot be over-estimated, and only believe their numbers to be too few for the increasing pro- portions of our city. And the Board desire to call your attention to the necessity of procuring another Hook and Ladder Carriage, to be placed in the western portion of our city.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
The fire alarm telegraph continues to work admirably, and at a very reasonable cost of its maintenance. The machinery con- sists of forty (40) signal boxes, seven (7) large engine house gongs, three (3) of which have been added the last year, at a cost of $750 ; all the engine houses have them now except the house at New Worcester ; six (6) small engineers' gongs, for assistant engineers and bell ringer at New Worcester, with about thirty (30) miles of wire, formed into four (4) alarm circuits, all of which are operated by about two hundred (200) cups of Hill's Battery ; and the wires cover almost all of the important points about the city. In this connection the Board are pleased to acknowledge the valu- able services of Mr. William Brophy, 1st assistant engineer, for his unfaltering zeal, and successful care of the Battery and office machinery, which are located at No. 7 City Hall, but are soon to be removed to the engine house in Bigelow Court, for better ac- commodations, and we hope and trust that the removal will be to the general satisfaction of firemen and citizens.
HOSE.
This indispensable portion of our fire apparatus has been neg- lected for years past. We have in this department some four thousand (4000) feet of hose, which is almost entirely worthless. There has recently been purchased thirty-seven hundred (3700)
251
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
feet of new hose, two thousand (2000) feet of which is what is known as carbolized rubber hose, the manufacturers of which give their guarantee that it will in all respects be serviceable at the end of three years. The material of which it is made is, as we understand, saturated with carbolic acid, which is supposed to preserve from mildew, rot, or premature decay. If such should prove to be the case, it will certainly prove a most valuable dis- covery, for there is no one article of fire apparatus that has given the Board of Engineers more anxiety and solicitude than the article of leading hose. In the best of leather hose made there will be innumerable leaks, from grub holes, laps or rivets, which is a constant source of annoyance to the department and citizens, as well as property coming in contact with them ; and in view of the above, the Board are almost ready to believe that if rubber lasted only eighteen (18) months, it would be cheaper in the end than leather, that is constantly undergoing repairs, the cost of which is no inconsiderable sum annually ; there has also been pur- chased seventeen hundred (1700) feet of rubber lined linen hose, for our hose companies. This hose is used in other cities, and is liked well and does good service. The hose in the department is in much better condition than formerly, but notwithstanding, the Board deem it not only advisable, but necessary, that quite a quantity should be added the coming year.
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