Official Notice.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE ENGINEERS, 1 OFFICE OF SECRETARY, CINCINNATI, June, 1892.)
The twentieth annual convention of the National Association of Fire Engineers will be held in the council chamber in the city of Louisville. Ky., commencing October 4. 1892. It is the earnest desire of the officers to have a larger attendance than any former convention, and it is expected that each member will attend this meeting and bring some new member with him.
Headquarters will be established at the Louisville Hotel, where a rate of $3 per day has been secured. Those desiring baths and special accommodations will be charged extra.
Chief Hughes has arranged to care well for all exhibitors, and will leave no stone unturned to make the meeting a success.
Application has been made for reduced rates on all railroads in the different passenger associations, and it is hoped delegates will have a lower rate than formerly.
Any information cheerfully given by the secretary.
Let each member boom the twentieth convention.
HENRY A. HILLS, Secretary, Cincinnati, O.
TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS.
TOPIC NO. I.—Give rules and regulations for the organization and management of fire departments in cities and villages having a population of 10,000 and under.—Chief George J. Klein, Allentown, Pa.
TOPIC NO. 2.—The best method of fighting fires in coal docks.—Chief Thomas E. Smith. Duluth, Minn.
TOPIC NO. 3.—Should not all buildings over fifty feet in height, whether used for mercantile or office purposes, be furnished with outside stand pipes and ladders with outside connections at each floor for hose, but also with inside connections and a sufficient quantity of hose to reach within thirty feet of the rear of any building, on each floor thereof, and should not such appliance and the construction thereof be under the control and direction of the chief of the fire department?—Inspector General A. C. Hendrick.
TOPIC NO. 4.—Improvements in fire alarm telegraph.—Jos. W. Stover, president Gamewell Eire Alarm Telegraph Company.
TOPIC NO. 5.—Ideal fire department of the future.—Henry A. Goetz, New Albany, Ind.
TOPIC NO. 6.—Of what use is a stand-pipe and ladder, and how should it be built and where should it be located ?— Ilcnry A. Goetz, New Albany, Ind.
TOPIC NO. 7. —Can stairways leading to the roof of the interior of a building be considered a practical fire escape?— Chief W. R. Joyner, Atlanta, Ga.
TOPIC NO. 8.—Should not the height of any buihling, no matter of what construction, be limited to 125 feet, and in case of narrow streets should not the height of any building be limited to one and a half times the width of the street upon which it is located, unless built of non-combustible material, and to be used for office purposes only, and in no case to exceed the first mentioned height.—Ex-Inspector John W. Smith, Brooklyn, N. Y.
TOPIC NO. 9.—In view of the great height and extensive area of large buildings now being erected, not only for offices but for general merccntile and manufacturing purposes, has the time not arrived when fire departments should be radically changed in their equipment by the abandoning of the portable steam fire engine, and the substitution thereof, district stationary engines, giving a direct pressure, or by the aid of standpi| es, a regular pressure which should be ready at all times to carry water to the highest points, thus enabling fire departments to dispense with much of the cumbersome machinery now necessary, and enable them to reach points where it is now almost impossible so to do?—Chief John W. Dickinson, Cleveland, O.
TOPIC NO. 10.—The excessive and great carelessness permitted by those having in charge dangerous and extensive risks, also the advisability and wisdom of all insurance companies incorporating in their policies a clause invalidating losses when it is proved the origin of fires occur through carelessness of the insured.—Chief M. E. Higgins, Albany, N. Y.
TOPIC NO. ii.—Fuel oil and its proper storage, when used for fuel generally.—Chief H. I.emoin, Grand Rapids, Mich.
TOPIC NO. 12 —Proper method to fight fires in cellars and attics.—Chief Thos. H. Cluney, Jamestown, N. Y.
TOPIC No. 13—Should the owners of the telegraph and telephone, distiict messenger, electric time and other electric circuits that in themselves are not dangerous to life and property, but are liable to become so by coming in contact with electric lights, electric power and electric railway circuits, be compelled to use proper safety devices at the points where circuits enter and leave buildings ?—Wm. Brophy, chief inspector Electric Mutual Insurance Company, Boston.
FOR DISCUSSION.
Fire Stations : The most desirable methods and improvements, with a view to completeness and economy.