USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1874 > Part 13
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
was at work at the sand pit on May street, when an alarm was rung in, and failed to hear either the bells or steam whistles. Last month the horses attached to Hook and Ladder No. 1, were at the sand pit above the Boston, Barre and Gardner R. R., when the alarm was given, and failed to report at the house until eight minutes after the alarm. These are but few of the many cases which might be cited. Fortunately we have thus far escaped any serious fires on this account, but it must be admitted that the practice is a dangerous one, which we trust will receive your early attention, and a remedy for the existing evil be provided. It is our duty to facilitate in every manner possible, the quickness of both men and horses to respond to the first stroke of the bell. We can safely say that the horses of our Department are, without an exception, as well-trained as those of other cities. This Board would recommend that a horse be purchased, to draw the carriage on John street.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
During the past year there have been fifty-eight alarms of fire ; a decrease of five over the previous year. Several fires have occurred, and been extinguished by the Policemen, firemen and citizens, without causing an alarm ; also, the Department have responded to fires outside of the city limits : one at Leicester for which they received a card of thanks from the citizens of that town.
The continued growth of the city and neighboring villages, will continue to increase the duties each year, of the Department ; it however gives us pleasure to add, that though some of the fires during the year, at the commencement, assumed a threatening aspect, in no instance has the fire extended beyond the build- ing where it originated. Only three fires have occurred which in- volved serious loss, viz : Daniel Tainter's machine shop, on Gard- ner street, All Saints church, Pearl street, and the Worcester St. Railway Co.'s stable, on Market street. The most disastrous was Tainter's machine shop; and, considering its remote situation from fire apparatus, and the consequent fierce headway the fire had gained before an alarm was given, it is surprising that the
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
fire was stopped where it was. At the time the fire occurred, a strong breeze was blowing from the southwest, and the wing where the fire originated was so situated that the flames were driven by the wind directly in contact with the east wing of the building ; but by the almost superhuman efforts of the Depart- ment, the east wing was saved nearly intact.
The fire at All Saints church, on Pearl street, originated under extraordinary circumstances, and for a time almost baffled the ex- ertions of the entire force of the Department, and was only con- trolled by the superhuman efforts of our noble command. Though for a time stubborn to yield, and the destruction of that prominent square was predicted by the great crowd of spectators, and at times it was almost impossible to retain our positions taken, the crowning efforts of the Department were shown to a gazing public, the surrounding buildings remaining intact. This was truly pro- nounced good work for the Department. It is a notable fact that we have more fires from barns and stables, in two or three months succeeding the gathering of the hay crop than at any other time in the year. There are doubtless many farmers who have experienced sudden and destructive conflagrations in their lofts, which could not be ascribed to any exterior agency ; barns have been known to burst into flames almost without warning, save perhaps a significant odor for a few days previous, around the place where the hay was stored, and a summer's harvest is swept away in as many minutes as it has taken days to gather it. These unexpected conflagrations are credited to tramps, who have made the hay-loft their sleeping resort ; but it is now asserted that such calamities are frequently due to spontaneous combus- tion of the hay ; a circumstance theoretically quite possible, but. rarely considered. If this should prove to be the fact, it certainly would be a valuable discovery.
For the complete and accurate statement of losses by fire, and the amount of insurance, we refer you to the tabular statement accompanying this report.
CONDITION OF ENGINE HOUSES.
The engine houses generally, are in good order, although in some of them much remains to be done to make them more
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
comfortable for the members who sleep there. The headquarters of the Department, in Bigelow Court, having undergone altera- tions, is in good condition, with the exception of the stone floor, which covers one-half of the ground floor ; that should be taken out, and a good plank floor substituted ; it would give the house a more cheerful appearance, and would be a great advantage to the engine there. A stone floor is damp at all seasons of the year, and this rusts the apparatus, thus costing more for repairs than the expense of putting in a good plank one. This house is occupied by the Board of Engineers, the battery and machinery of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, Gov. Lincoln steam engine, and Hook and Ladder No. 1, and the horses for drawing the above apparatus. The building is warmed by steam from a boiler in the cellar. In addition to the above, it contains a work-room, store-room, bed-rooms, and bathing-rooms, all furnished for the comfort of the men occupying them.
The house of S. E. Combs Steamer Company No. 2, on Bea- con street, is in good order. The floor of the engine room, which was stone, has been removed, and a good plank one with a hard pine top substituted, one of Meade's furnace stoves has been put in the lower room, a bath-room has been put in up stairs, and only needs to be piped for hot water to make it comfortable and complete. These remarks in regard to stone floors apply also to the house on School street, occupied by Steamer Company No. 3, and City Hose No. 1, that being in the same condition, and should be removed as a matter of economy, if nothing more.
The house of Ocean Hose Company No. 2, on Bloomingdale street, is built on land owned by the Boston and Albany Railroad Corporation, and will, in all probability, have to be removed shortly. In view of this fact, this Board would recommend that a suitable location be found in that vicinity if possible, at an early day.
The house occupied by Hose No. 4, on Exchange street, has no convenience for members sleeping there. Their beds have to be in their meeting-room, and as that is small, it is overcrowded; and this will apply also to Hose Companies Nos. 1, 2, and 5. These houses should be so altered as to give better sleeping accommo- dations ; they should also be supplied with bathing-rooms.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The house of Hose Company No. 5 for some time past has been used for a ward room, at State and Municipal elections for Ward Six, and if a fire should occur at that time, it would seriously interfere with the duties of the company, and this Board would call your earnest attention to this matter.
During the past year contracts have been completed for the building of three new houses : one on Lamartine street, one on Pleasant street, and one on John street. The Lamartine street house is designed to accommodate a Steamer, Hook and Ladder, and a Hose Carriage, six stalls for horses, bed-rooms and bath- room; the house is warmed by a Meade's furnace stove. The bath-room needs to be piped for hot water, and the entrance made to the sewer ; when this is done the house will be completed, and will be one of the most convenient in the city.
The Pleasant street engine house will accommodate the same apparatus as the one described above. This house is piped for hot water in the bath-room, and gives the utmost satisfaction. .
The John street house is designed for a Steamer and Hose Carriage, three stalls for horses, hall, sleeping-room and bath- room. This house is the best finished house in the city; the work is done very thorough and complete, it is heated with one of Meade's furnace stoves, with register, thus warming the upper part of the house from the stove below. This house should be piped for hot water, as the bath room is of but little use without it in cold weather.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
The Fire Alarm Telegraph, under the efficient management of its superintendent, has performed its important part to our entire satisfaction, and added no little to the dispatch of the Department to the scene of action. In no instance has it failed to designate to the force the exact locality of the fires. At the commence- ment of the year the Department was annoyed by some person or persons having obtained a box key, in consequence of which, a number of false alarms of fire were given. The Superintendent of the fire alarm altered the locks on the boxes, so as to entrap the key in the box. If a key is inserted in a box, it cannot be
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No 29.
taken out, except by an engineer of the Department. We con- sider it a valuable invention for all cities that may be troubled with false alarms.
One new alarm-box has been added to number four circuit, box No. 57 has been removed to Taylor & Farley's shop, on Hermon street, and the new box, No. 71, takes its place on the corner of Main and Central streets.
Two large engine house gongs have been added to the Depart- ment the past year. They are placed in the Lamartine and Pleasant street houses. It will be necessary to put another large gong in the John street house, which is occupied by the Babcock Extinguisher Company.
The Board are of the opinion that the telegraph pays for its maintenance yearly, as a large force is held in reserve in their houses, thus saving a great expense in the wear of the apparatus.
During the past year, two fires have occurred in North Wor- cester, causing a considerable loss of property, a portion of which might have been saved had there been a signal-box within a reasonable distance of the same. As a partial remedy, it is proposed to move box 25, now located on R. Ball & Co.'s shop, but a few rods from box 51, and place it at the corner of Grove and North streets. It would be well to extend the No. 4 cir- cuit to Valley Falls, and. place a signal box there, as fires occur in the manufacturing establishments there quite frequently, and the delay necessary in going to Webster square to give the alarm renders the efforts of the Department in such cases almost abortive.
A striker on the bell at Webster square is also very desirable, as the only means of conveying the alarm to that point is through the medium of a small gong in a private house. It will readily be seen that, in the absence of the inmates, it would be impossi- ble to call the Company stationed there, let the necessity be ever so great. The lady of the house in question is entitled to great credit for denying herself the pleasures of shopping and the exchange of friendly visits so dear to the female heart, lest the voice of the tiny gong might sound the call for help during her absence, with no one near to convey the tidings to those who
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
would set in motion the deep-toned notes of its larger brother, that hangs on the school-house near by.
A signal-box should be placed at the corner of Millbury and Cambridge streets, and in the vicinity of the Woodland street school-house, and another near the establishment of Graton & Knight, on Bloomingdale street.
UNSAFE ILLUMINATING OILS.
This is a question of growing interest. The use of refined petroleum as an illuminator is increasing year by year. It is finding its way into every village and farm-house of the country. It is used, for the most part, by persons wholly ignorant of its nature, its possible dangers, and of the proper means to guard against these dangers. It is used carelessly and, sometimes, wickedly. It writes its history of deaths and burnings in every newspaper. It is the terror of firemen and the hatred of in- surance companies ; and yet it is a blessing, for it supplies a real want that could be supplied from no other source, and it is possible to get the full measure of its good and, at the same time, to reduce its danger to the millions.
Stringent laws should be enacted in every State, prohibiting the sale of oil unless under a " fire test" deemed safe, and this should be high enough to cover possible dangers. All oils should be tested by State inspectors, and the mode of inspection defined.
Many of the States have laws embodying most of these pro- visions. We have one in this State. We have also a State inspector in this city, and it is a notable fact that in this city accidents from the use of these oils are less frequent than else- where. Previous to the appointment of an inspector accidents were of almost daily occurrence. The law regulating the storage and sale of petroleum on the statute books is very unsatis- factory and obscure in some of its provisions, and ought to be amended as soon as possible. Until this is done, it would be well for all consumers of this article to satisfy themselves of two things-first, " has the oil they are about to buy been inspected
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
by the local inspector ; " and, second, " what is the test," for it is a fact that oil that will stand 120° or 130° of heat before igniting is not only better in point of economy, but what is of much more importance, it is very much safer than that which burns at 110° as the law requires, or a few degrees above that point. In fact, accidents from oil of the above standard cannot occur unless through gross negligence on the part of the con- sumer. The dealer will have no trouble in complying with this demand of the consumer, providing he has complied with the requirements of the law, for the inspector's " brand " on the head of the barrels, or his certificate, giving the test and date of inspection, answers both of the above questions. The standard at present fixed by law in this State is, by most people con- versant with the matter, considered too low. There being two tests required renders the duties of the inspector quite difficult. First, is the " flashing test," or the lowest point where the oil gives off an inflammable vapor, which is fixed at a temperature of 100°. This is by far the most important test, as it is the in- flammable vapor evolved at atmospheric temperature that causes most of the accidents.
Moreover, an oil that has a high flashing test is sure to have a high burning test, while the reverse is not true. The burning test fixes the burning point of the oil, or the lowest temperature at which it will take fire. The law fixes the point at which this shall not go below at 110°. The burning point of oil is from five to fifty degrees Fahrenheit higher than the flashing point. The two points are quite independent of each other. The flash- ing point depends upon the amount of the most volatile con- stituents present-naphtha, &c., while the burning point depends upon the general character of the whole oil.
Two per cent. of naphtha will lower the flashing point ( the real cause of danger) of oil ten degrees without materially affecting the burning test. The burning test does not determine the real safety of the oil; that is, the absence of naphtha. For this reason, there should be but one test : viz., the flash test, and that should be fixed at least 10° higher than it now is.
While the 2d section of the Act regulating the sale of petro- leum and its products defines the test and fixes penalties, and
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
makes dealers responsible for any damage that may occur through the sale of unsafe oil, except for the purpose of re-manu- facture. The third section reads : " For all the purposes of this Act, all illuminating oils made from coal or petroleum having an igniting point of less than one hundred and ten degrees Fahren- heit, to be provided in the second section of this Act, shall be deemed to be mixed with naphtha, and shall be branded ' unsafe for illuminating purposes.'" Now, the fact is, the burning test does not determine the presence of naphtha, but it is the flash test, which is not mentioned at all in this section, that does ; consequently this clause is rendered inoperative. A penalty should also be fixed for the removal of the inspector's brand from the heads of barrels containing such nnsafe oils before they are emptied.
The Inspector of Petroleum, from the first, has experienced great difficulty in the collection of the fees to be paid by those requiring his services, and for over a year has been unable to collect a single cent.
The dealers claim that it should be paid from the city treasury, while the law forbids it. The reason assigned by them for not paying for the services of the inspector is that it is a public benefit, and the public should pay for it. We claim that the public does pay it in an advance on the price of the oil, and it would be injustice for them to pay for it again in the shape of an annual tax. If the dealers in this article have, as they claim, paid for inspection for the benefit of the public, we are quite sure it is something the public does not require of them. For who is there in this city who would refuse to pay the small sum of one-fourth of a cent a gallon on the price of an oil the safety of which there is no doubt of, in preference to buying an article which may carry death and destruction to his home ?
It is also claimed by the wholesale dealers that they are not required by the terms of the Act to have their oil inspected. This view of the case is hardly worth noticing, but we will suppose such was the case. Under those circumstances, cities or towns of fifteen hundred or more inhabitants would be pro- tected by this Act, while towns containing a less number might be flooded with unsafe oils with impunity. We cannot believe
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for a moment that the framers of this Act contemplated any such state of affairs.
The parties interested in this matter petitioned the last city government for a reduction of the fees, and were given a patient hearing; on which occasion they argued that the tax was excessive and burdensome. In fact, persons unacquainted with the facts would be led to believe that the Stamp Act and the tax on tea which caused the separation of the Colonies from the mother country was a trivial affair compared to this. We are of the opinion that the conduct of those gentlemen in this matter is not at all creditable to them. It does not become a good citizen to add to our already large burden of taxation, to evade the pay- ment of this just claim for services promptly rendered at his request, by screening himself behind a lawyer's quibble, a legal technicality, or an excusable oversight of a branch of the City Council. As it was evident that the city derived no revenue from the inspection of petroleum, as some of them claimed, and as no reduction could be made without drawing on the treasury for the compensation of the inspector, which would be contrary to law; consequently, the petitioners were given leave to withdraw.
ACCIDENTS, AND FIREMEN'S RELIEF.
It is a source of much satisfaction to report that very few acci- dents have befallen firemen or citizens in going to or working at fires, and those which have occurred have not been of a serious character. The most serious was that of Albert T. Kitteridge, a member of Hose Co. No. 5, who was thrown down and both wheels of the hose carriage passed over his head, in responding to an alarm from box 13, October 2d.
In this connection we wish to state that in June last, an Asso- ciation for mutual relief was organized by the Fire Department of this city, and about 150 firemen have become members of it. The sum of one dollar is required annually for membership. With fees for membership, and the generous contributions of some of our publie spirited citizens, and also the proceeds of a union ball, which was given in aid of this Association at Mechanics
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Hall, New Year's night, the Association have a fund of about one thousand dollars in the treasury. The sum of ten dollars per week is paid to sick or disabled members, for the term of ten weeks, and in case of death, fifty dollars is paid to the family of the deceased, and so much of the physician's bill as the trustees of the Association may determine. The sum of thirty- five dollars has already been paid to Mr. A. T. Kitteridge. This Association tends to strengthen the sympathies and friend- ship which should always be maintained among the members of the Department.
The Board of Engineers, in behalf of the members of the Association, return thanks to those citizens who have aided them, and would commend the Association to the favorable consideration of all our citizens. Some say that they are paid for it, and that they are entitled to no credit for doing their duty ; but we say that they are. When battling with the fiery ele- ment, do they think of the money they are to receive? When, perchance, they save some precious life, do you mean to say that they expose themselves to such personal risk for the sake of a few paltry dollars? No ! we say they do not ; for money will not buy them. And in conclusion we think it no more than just, that when accidents are met with in the performance of their duty, they should be pensioned on the community, and entitled to the honor of every true American.
SUGGESTIONS.
Before closing this report, the Board again desire to call your attention to the necessity of procuring another Hook and Ladder Carriage, by which we may reach the upper stories of our high- est buildings.
' We believe that an Ordinance should be framed, obliging owners of buildings, to add at least four fire escapes, to large blocks, by which inmates could escape in case of fire. It would also facili- tate the working of the Department in case of fire. The recent fire at the Granite Mill in Fall River, should teach us a lesson.
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It is therefore the most sacred duty of the people, if their repre- sentatives will not do it, to show how to take better care of our brothers, husbands, fathers and sons, with a more substantial machine than the flimsy and shaky ladders. When they risk their lives to save our property, the necessity of being supplied with apparatus, by which the upper stories of tall buildings can be reached and lives saved, is an imperative one.
This Board would also recommend the purchase of two Hose Carriages, for Hose Companies Nos. 2 and 5 ; the carriages that they now have in use are entirely unfit for service. Before leav- ing this topic we desire to express the hope that the recom- mendations and suggestions may meet your early consideration and approval.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, this Board would do themselves injustice, did they not avail themselves of this opportunity to express their sincere thanks to the officers and members of the entire Depart- ment, for the prompt and efficient manner in which they have, on every occasion, responded to the call of duty, to their bravery and quickness of action, and strict obedience to orders. This Board give full credit for our success in conquering at the start, what bid fair to be some of the worst fires we have ever had in this city, and we feel proud to say, that with its manual force and such equipments and apparatus, the best of hose and horses, Worcester was never so well protected as at the present time. To Mr. Frank E. Hall, Water Commissioner, this Board would tender their thanks, for the cheerful and valuable assistance ren- deared at fires. To the gentlemen constituting the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Fire Department, the Board are under renewed obligations, for the careful attention always cheerfully given to the requirements of the Department, for the cordial support and endorsement of all matters tending to the improve- ment and advancement of the best interest of the Department,
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and for the careful manner in which co-operation has been given the past year. Finally the Board desire to acknowledge their gratitude to his Honor the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and gentlemen of the City Council, for their continued liberality to the financial wants of this Department.
Respectfully submitted.
S. E. COMBS,
Chief Engineer.
EXPENSES.
S. E. Combs, $ 1,200 00
Wm. Brophy,
1,200 00
Wm. Knowles, 200 00
John W. Loring,.
200 00
Samuel H. Day, (Clerk),
250 00
Steamer Co. No. 1,
1,521 67
Steamer Co. No. 2,
1,530 00
Steamer Co. No. 3,.
1,530 00
Steamer Co. No. 4,.
1,570 00
City Hose Co. No. 1,.
1,105 00
Ocean
2,
1,105 00
Eagle
3,.
1,096 66
Niagara 66 4,
1,105 00
Yankee 5,
1,105 00 766 25 791 25
Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1,
2,054 99
Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2,
2,085 00
Babcock Extinguisher, . .
695 00
Engine House Gongs, 1 Fire Aların Box,
750 00
Plan for Bell Tower,
105 00
Land for Engine House, .
2,100 00
Contract for Engine House, (John St.)
3,000 00 100 00
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