THE LATEST FIRE DEPARTMENT ITEMS

A new fire station has just been opened in Piqua, Ohio.

Preparations are going forward for a new hosehouse at Bangor, Me.

The annual appropriations for Moline, Ill., provide $4,500 for a new firehouse.

Ground has been broken for the new fire station at Amesbury, Mass.

The Pope Manufacturing company is building a motor truck for Westfield. Mass.

Forest Hills, Mass., has started work on the foundation of its new fire station.

Harlan, la., is having an enginehouse built. It will he 30×34 ft, built of cement blocks.

Over 9,000 firemen are expected to march in the Reading (Pa.) Labor Day parade.

Electrician Kuhn, of the Muncie, Ind., fire department, has resigned. He goes into business.

So far the only call made on the new steam lire engine at Augusta, Me., has been for parade purposes.

Cheyenne, Wyo., is solicitious for the welfare of its firemen to the extent of providing straw caps for summer.

Chief Fire Engineer Alfred Hall, of Charleston, Ill., has filed his resignation with Mayor Shoemaker.

The new firemen’s relief and pension fund hoard, of Scranton, Pa., has just organized, with A. H. Christy as president.

Tulsa, Okla., has just contracted for a 75-ft. aerial truck from the American-La France Fire Fugine company

Tile firemen at Oneida, N. Y., are now enojying a remodeled central fire station provided with many conveniences.

Chief Clancy, of Milwaukee, was recently in St. Paul inspecting the new 80-ft. aerial truck belonging to that city.

Chief Willis, of Pueblo, Colo., has an automobile. A mechanical expert in his department provided it from a “has been” relic.

Companies 5 and 29, and twelve individual members of the Chicago fire department are mentioned in the “hero list” for June.

Two horses were killed and two firemen badly hurt in Buffalo the night of July 2 in a collision with a swift moving trolley car.

The Roswell. N. M.. lire department has recently added a new hose and ladder wagon and 1,000 ft. of hose tu its equipment.

Fort Plain, N. Y., on July 10. suffered a $50,000 fire, including a factory having valuable machinery. a garage and two automobiles.

Baltimore, Md.. has four new engine com panics in operation. This involved the creation of 18 new positions in the department.

The Robinson Fire Apparatus company, of St. Louis, is building two new combination wagons for the Norfolk, Va., fire department.

Four Boston firemen have recently been retired on pensions. One of these was John 11. Mttrnan, who has been in the department since 1890.

Companies Nos 4 and 5, of Norfolk, Va., are about to receive new combination wagons from the Robinson Fire Apparatus company, of St. Louis.

Chief James Horan, of Chicago, ha.promoted the following firemen to lieutenancies: P. J. Ryan, Patrick Moriarty William Goehig and Joseph Diechman.

The directors o* the Oaklands Improvement association are asking that the Lowell, Mass., department provide a firehouse and equipment for their section.

Yesterday was the opening day of the State firemen’s convention at Asheville, N. C. Great interest was shown in the early arrival of the visiting companies.

A new fire station for the Brockton, Mass., department is to he built in the Montello district so soon as agreement can he had as to the price of the necessary land.

Fire Marshal James Horan, of Chicago, will not change the station of the fireboat Graeme Stewart because some people object to the smoke fn m its funnel.

The appointment of Charles A. Ellison, of Charleston. W. Va.. has been announced as State tire marshal and M. C. Kindelberger, of Wheeling, as assistant lire marshal.

The Springfield. Mo.. Water company is preparing to install a new hydraulic Corliss high duty, cross-compound pumping engine, with a daily capacity of pumping 6,000,000 gal. of water.

The firemen of Langhorne, Pa., recently bitched their apparatus to an automobile and went two miles into the country, where they helped to rescue the buildings of a fine country estate.

Chief Allen, of Trenton, N. J., reports sixteen tires and a loss of $2,140 for June. Trenton has provided for Chief Allen’s attendance at the National convention of fire chiefs in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Duluth, Minn., has elected Joseph Randall to succeed the late John T. Black as chief engineer of the fire department. Mr. Randall has been first assistant chief for many years, and acting chief since the death of Chief Black.

Atlanta, Ga., l as received a new 75-ft. aerial truck from the American-La France Fire Engine company. Chief Cummings strongly recommended it because of the increasing height of Atlanta buildings.

For the first t ine since the formation of the Tri-County Fin men’s association Sandy Hill, N. Y., was the scene of the annual convention held last Saturday. This association consists of the volunteer firemen of Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties.

Officers of the Southwestern Iowa Firemen’s association were elected at the annual business meeting at Osceola, as follows: President. C Green, Villisca; vicepresident, C. Teaseld, Red Oak: secretary, H. T. Bunker, Villisca: treasurer, J. S. Cook. Red Oak.

The hoard of lire commissioners, of Elizabeth. N. J., inspected the department of that city tinfirst of the month. One feature of the occasion was the exhibition by Commissioner Cox’s two tugs, which are fitted up as tin-boats.

Although the lire equipment of Omaha, Neb., includes two fine calico Arab horses, a new team, just purchased from a local dealer, is considered the best team ever owned by the city. They weigh about 2,700, and will he trained for the hose carts.

Members of the Murray. W . volunteer tire department will receive one dollar per hour dur ing all conflagrations. The purchase of a steamer is tinder way, and when this arrives the Murray department can boast of having the best volunteer department in the State.

By a three to two vote of the commissioners. Chief Schaetzle, of Ashland, Wis., was last week removed from office for conduct unbefitting tinposition. Sending children for liquor was the principal charge. This being admitted, made the ease too serious for mere suspension in the minds of a majority of the commission.

The following appointments have been made to the Cincinnati, Oho, department: Henry Bun ker and L. Casper Strief, marshals; P. 11. Dono van and Clem Beckman, assistant marshals: Joseph Kavanaugh and Patrick Costello, captains; Louis B. Imwaile and John White, lieutenants.

Eighteen million feet of lumber, valued at between $450,000 and $500,000. was destroyed byfire at the mills of the Virginia and Rainey Lake company on the night of July 10. Most of the lumber was sold for shipment to lower lake points. It was fully insured.

Mayor Taylor, of San Francisco, has appointed Lemiel Bluford Edwards as fire commissioner, to (ill the place on the hoard left vacant hv the resignation of Bernard Favmonvillc. Mr. Edwards is very familiar with affairs of the city and will he a valuable member of the commission.

Chief Aungst, of Alliance, Ohio, has a Buick runabout. It is expected that the machine will be of great practical benefit, as it is believed that in many cases fires can he controlled by use of the small chemical extinguishers which will he carried on the auto and even put out before the chemical engine, drawn by horses, can reach the place.

An effort is being made by the Cattaraugus County (N. Y.) Volunteer Firemen’s association to bring about the organization of a tri-county association, including either Chautauqua, Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, or Chautauqua, Erie and Cattaraugus counties. A meeting for the purpose of considering the matter is to he held at Salamanca, on August 4.

In Cincinnati the first of this month a fire believed to have been incendiary, and the thirty-first in a series of similar origin, caused fourteen families in a 4-story apartment house to flee for their lives. Many women and children had narrow escapes. A strange man. supposed to be the pyromaninc, was -seen emerging from the basement before the fire. The loss was insignificant..

Taking advantage of an order to comply with the fire protection law issued by county health officer, l)r. A. If. Davenport, a small army of “dry powdet” extinguisher agents have invaded Oklahoma City, and persuaded many hotel and rooming house proprietors to purchase their goods. As these “extinguishers’’ arc not approved by the underwriters, purchasers are liable to find their investment a dead loss.

The Springer Lumber company’s large mill at Wytopitlock, a small village near Danforth, Me., with $3,000 worth of lumber and a small powerhouse. was burned on July II, entailing a total loss of about $38,000. The fire started in the boiler room and quickly spread, hurtling the property to the ground before it could he checked. The mill employed 150 operatives, running day and night, and had a capacity of 75,000 ft. of lumber daily. It was insured for $10,000.

Capt. O. L. White, of engine company 9, Chicago. Ill., has announced his resignation from the fire department, to take effect immediately. He intends to enter business. Capt. White had been a member of the department for twentyseven years, and for seventeen years was a captain. He was mentioned honorably on several occasions for bravery and was one of the best known officers in that branch of the city’s service.

Investigation of the order of Fire Marshal Horan, of Chicago, allowing the firemen twenty four hours off evert six days, instead of every twelve, is to he made by a sub committee of the council lire department committee, (consisting of Aid. McKenna, horsherg and Mueller They will inquire into the complaints of the firemen brought officially lo the notice of the council by a resolu lion adopted by the Chicago Federation of Labor hire Marshal Horan will he invited to appear before the committee and representatives of the firemen also can he present if they so desire.

Fire Chief Ball, of Oakland, Cal., has submitted to Auditor Cross his estimate of expenses for the fire department of that city for the fiscal year beginning July I. The chief requests an apportionment of $404,0C0 for the year, claiming that lie expects tr make a number of improvements in the fin fighting facilities of Oakland, particularly in the congested part of the city The downtown companies will he reorganized on a fully-paid basis, two new firehouses will lie constructed, two new engines and two automobile trucks will he purchased.

One of the most interesting pieces of tin Toledo. Ohio, equipment is the “shotgun,” which is used to shoot a small stout line to the top of a burning building where persons are hemmed in on the roof by flames. The gun, which re sembtes an oldfashioned musket with a short barrel, is loaded with a charge of powder and fires an iron arrow, with the line attached, over the roof of the building. To the end of the small line is attached a heavy life rope. When the small line is shot across the roof, the imperilled persons seize it and draw up the life rope, the end of which they secure to a chimney or other secure object and then slide down the rope to safety.

A Minneapolis man has invented a phonograph fire alarm, which will do practically everything hut “ring in” automatically. The basis of the invention is a phom graph which will talk over the telephone and give a fire alarm without getting excited. The rest of the device consists of a switch outside the house and within reach of pedestrians. If the pedestrian sees a fire in the house, he turns the switch. Immediately an electric current begins ringing a big gong in the house to arouse the family, and at the same time it lifts the telephone receiver and starts a phonograph record revolving under the transmitter. On the record is the address of the house and a call of fire, repeated several times.

Fire Marshal Horan, of Chicago, has issued a general order giving honorable mention for work done during June: Members of hook and ladder company No. 5. engine companies Nos. 18, 5 and 7 for rescuing four men and two women at 281-283 West Jackson boulevard June 3, Members of hcok and ladder company No 29 for rescuing a woman and child at 5739 West Lake street June 14. John J. Brennan, pipeman. engine company No. 68, for roscuing an invalid woman at 1095 Tripp avenue June 16. Frank J. Gorman, pipeman, engine company No. 15, for preventing attack on young girl, and causing man’s arrest June 22. Members hook and ladder company No. 5 for rescuing a woman and two children at 489 West Van Boren street June 25.

Stroud, Okla., has organized two fire companies, each equiped with a hose cart.

A. K. Stowell has been elected chief at Canton, S. Dak.

Chief W. S. Bare, of Bristol, Tenn., will soon retire from that department.

Each of the volunteer fire companies at Coatesville, Pa., has been granted an annual appropriation of $1,000.

Chief Edward Brogg has just been unanimously re-elected head of the East Hartford, Conn., volunteer department.

The East Hartford, Conn., fire commissioners for the next three years are John H. Steele, Edward P. Carroll, and Arthur C. Liebert.

George Mars, one of the most prominent mem hers of the Bisbce, Ariz., fire department, died recently from the effects of inhaling acid fumes at a fire.

The new firehouse at Alameda, Cal., has been put into commission. It is a model brick structure and will house the new auto engine.

The Northern Minnesota Firemen’s Tournament Association recently held a very successful annual tournament at Crookston, Minn.

The annual convention of the North Carolina State Firemen’s association recently held at Asheville. was voted a most complete success.

Union, S. C’., was the choice of the South Carolina firemen for this year’s convention, which proved a most profitable and enjoyable meeting. Sumter will be the host next year.

Butler, Pa., is to have a new central fire station. The site has not been definitely determined as yet, but a lot on Main street will probably be chosen.

The Lake Shore railroad is planning to equip an engine in the yards of each of the principal cities along that road for fighting fires. It will be fitted with hose made of canvas with no rubber used in its manufacture. It will be 2 in. in diameter and will be carried on the right side of the engine in a steel cylinder. One hundred feet of this hose, complete with coupling, will not weigh over 30 lb. In case of fire a special injector, which is also used on the right side of the engine, serves as a force pump and will force the water from the tank at a high pressure.

The Brookline, Mass., flying squadron will include a roadster for the chief, capable of carrying four men and light equipment, and a combination chemical and hose wagon. The latter will be of (iO-horsepower, with a specially constructed chassis. It will have a 35-gal. chemical tank and 250 ft. of chemical hose, with space in the bouy for 1,000 ft. of water hose. This space may be used for seats for six men, in addition to the two on the front seats and two on the rear steps. Both cars will be fitted with electric side and tail lights, gas’head lights and a 10-in. swinging search light II the dash board. Each machine will be fitted with a syren horn and the big car will carry a 10-in. loci motive bell. The cars will be fitted with Fisk tires of the quick detachable type, and spare inflated tires will be carried, permitting of rapid changing in case of accident. The cars are now under construction at the factory of the Knox Automobile company at Springfield.

Through the efforts of Chief Kellogg, a new pension law for the firemen of Sioux City has been passed. The provisions are as follows: any fireman who has reached the age of 55 years and has had twenty years’ service in the department, the last five years of which are continuous, is eligible to retirement on half pay. Those who are injured permanently, mentally or physically, while on duty, or who have contracted diseases in the discharge of their duty, are also eligible to one-half their salary while hurt. If the fiiemail is killed or dies of injuries while occupied in his duties, the widow is to be paid at the rate of .$20 a month as long as she remains unmarried and is of good moral character. She is also to be paid $6 a month for minor children, until they attain the age of 16 years. A fireman who has gone on the retired list at 55 years, if he is still in good health, may be assigned to light duty by the chief of the department, or called upon in case oi emergency. A fireman who has retired for disability and afterward recovers may be reinstated by the pension board and his pension cut off, upon advice of a physician. The physician for the Sioux City department has not yet been selected. Firemen who participate in the pension are charged an annual fee of two dollars.