The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume], September 07, 1912, Image 1

About The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917

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THE WEATHER
ALL THE LATEST
Local and Telegraphic News
of the Day,
Fair tonight and tomor-
row
VOL. 48 NO. 213
BRIDGEPORT, CONN., SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1912
PRICE ONE CENT
MONSTER GENERAL STRIKE
PARALYZING INDUSTRY ALL
OVER ITALY THREATENED
to Protest Against Imprison
ment of Lawrence Strike
Leaders Ettor and
Giovanniti
Syndicalists Organize For Pur
pose of Forcing King Victor's
Government to Make Repre
sentations to Washington in
Behalf of the Two Italians
Who Have Been Held With
out Trial Since Last January
Rome, Sept. 7 A a means of fore
tng King Victor's government to make
-representations at Washington In be
ll alf of the two Italians, Ettor and
Ciovanntti. imprisoned in Lawrence,
JIasa., on a murder charge growing
out of the recent, labor troubles there,
jSyndicaJJata through Italy are orga
nizlng for a monster general strike,
paralysing industry all over the coun
try. '
The Ettor and Giovanniti case has
been causing the most intense feeling
In Italy for some time. In parliament,
.Deputies Chisa. a Republican, Todrec
ca and Cart no. Socialists, Meda, and
Avomtl, Socialist-Democrat, recently
demanded that the Rome government
inake the matter an international is
sue. Though no action was t taken
there ia no question that the demand
was supported by an overwhelming
majority of the people.
Newspapers have published columns
of accounts of the case, radical and
conservative journals alike declaring,
substantially, as Ia Tribuna Illnstra
tt put it. that Ettor and Giovanniti
re "the victims . of the capitalists
who provoked the strike at Lawrence,
(Mass.. toy terrible conditions."
- Another newspaper, IVInternaaionale,
ppeals to syndicalists throughout
Europe to make the case their own.
The Courriere Del Sur. the Courriere
Its la and the Secolo are among other
newspapers which . have expressed
themselves similarly.'
Enormous posters . have been scat
tered broadcast calling on working-men
to Join the movement in their
.countrymen's behalf. Many labor
leaders are urging demonstrations be
rfore the various American consulates
an Italy, protesting against the treat--meat
of Ettor and Giovanniti.
Mews' has been received from Brus
vells that a? similar . agitation has
leen started there.. . . . .
In the Italian government's attitude,
there has apparently been no change
since Under Secretary of the Foreign.
Office Prince Discalea stated in par
liament that the Foreign Office had
confined itself to instructing the Ital
lian consul in Boston to see .that Ettor
nd Giovanniti be provided with coun
sel and that they, receive a fair trial.
IKGLISH demonstration
FflR II S STRIkT I FAnFRS
London, Sept. 7 An English "de
fense committee' was formed here, to
iay. for Ettor and Giovanniti, the
Italians charged with responsibility
(through their speeches for the kill
ling of a woman during the recent
strike at Lawrence, Mass.
Arrangements are being made for a
big demonstration in Trafalgar Square
nt which resolutions of protest against
the men's continued imprisonment
rmay be adopted. The resolutions will
(then be sent to American Ambassador
iReed.
"The Ettor-Giovannitt case is a
shocking outrage," said J. F. Tanner,
IAVnG at Colonial Ball Room to- DANCIXG at Colonial Ball Room to
,irh a I nicrht. - a
WASTEn. Competent foreman for
crushed stone quarry. Steady work.
Apply 122 Bank St., Saturday even
ing 7 to 8. 16 bo
THE TTN I VTTTt SI TY SCHOOL, 836
Fairfield avenue. Twenty-first year,
September 25th. Students entering
from high-school and lower grades,
have saved one to three years.
I 6 d o
(DAXCING at Colonial Ball Room to
night. , a"
TO RETT, room flat, all improve
ments, furnace, 136 Frank street.
Inquire 162 Frank street.
I 7 b p o
FOR HEXT. 6 rooms, all Improve
ments, steam heat. Inquire on
premises, cor. Gregory St. and Iran
istan Ave. 17 sp
WANTED. An experienced young
man, to assist in packing gonds, a
good position for hustler. Address
P. O. Box 115. a
fTO RKN'T. 4 rooms at 120 Milne
street, near Washington Ave. In
quire 122 Milne street, or 88 Jones
avenue. 17 bo
W A X T E D. Carpenters and mill
wrights. Apply at Power, Dept.,
American Graphophone Co.
, I 5 a o
WANTED. Girls tar light bench
work. Apply Cherry St. entrance
American Graphophone Co.
I 5 s o
10O ENGRAVED WEDDING an
nouncements with two sets of en
velopes. (6.50. Southworth'a, 10
Arcade. D 6 tf o
W ANTED Girls to Inspect records.
Apply American Graphophone Co.,
Disc record department, Howard Ay
n trance- - D27 tfo
!RY A BOX of Casca Latins tablets
for constipation, -a cents.
H
T BOMMOS & BTLTZ itKiRKET in
State St. Will have Sausage Meat
every day. I 18 tf.o
FOR SALE. Fine horse, buggy har
ness and two business wagons. Ad
dress R. B. A., care of Farmer.
L 31 d o
jot DON'T WANT any old Junk or
old things around yc:r premises,
but we want them as we need them,
for our business. Sell them to
Jacob Bros. We will pay you the
highest price and get them out of
your waj-. Prompt attention and
satisfaction is our record. 55 Kos--uth
St. Tel. 23i,
t
secretary of the London Anarchists'
society and of the defense committee.
"It is Russianesque. Workmen in no
part of the world can afford to ignore
it.
"We have assurances from British
labor organizations generally that they
will join in the protest. "All our res
olutions will be embodied in a let
ter for submission to Ambassador
Reid."
GREATER NEW YORK
PLANS BIG DEMONSTRATION
New York, Sept. 7 While William
D. Haywood, leader of the Industrial
Workers of) the World, was on his
way to Chicago, today, to enlist the
aid of unions there in the proposed
Ettor-Giovanniti general strike, to be
lied for September 30. members of
the Greater New York Industrial
Council of the I. .W. W., were prepar
ing for a great - demonstration here,
September 14. Circulars declaring the
imprisoned men are to be railroaded
to the electric chair for a murder done
by a policeman and demanding that
all workers Join in a general Strike
of protest are being sent out to all the
unions of the United States.
FOR SPEEDY TRIAL
Counsel For Prisoners Will Slake Ap
plication to Court in Salem Mon
day and Mean Business. '"
Boston, Sept. 7 It was learned here,
today, on best .authority, that, when
attorneys for Joseph Ettor and Alturo
Giovanniti apply, Monday, to the
court in Slem for ' an immediate and
speedy trial for the men who led the
Lawrence strikers to victory over the
mill owners, even after they had been
jailed on charges of accessories to the
killing of the wonsan atrUter,' Annie
Lopiszo, weighty influences here will
be brought to bear on -District Attor
ney Attwill, of Essex County, to agree.
While District Attorney Attwill; whose
headquarters are in Lynn, refused,
today, to discuss the case for publi
cation, it was made known in his of
fice that too will ask for "the Essex
county court-to calendar the. trial for
hearing before September 20. V
Ettor and Giovanniti have been In
jail since the third week in January,
last. Immediately upon their being
held for trial on a decision of the
Massachusetts superior court rendered
in Boston, early in March, attorneys
for Ettor ad -Giovanniti 'demanded a
trial -at once-or the- fixing of ball.
Botl-. demands were, flatly refused,
District Attorney Attwill refusing to
hear to any ball en the ground that
in such cases It rests entirely with
the court whether bail can be furnish
ed. ' , -
After the strikers had won increas
ed ' wages- for themselves and 200,000
other mill operatives throughont -New
England and following the conviction
of John J. Breen, Lawrence politician
and school committeeman, on charges
of planting dynamite to, injure the
strikers cause,, it was authoritatively
declared that attorneys for Ettor and
Giovanniti were told ' that if they ap
plied for a trial or for the fixing of
bail for the prisoners, . the district at
torneys office would not oppose it.
Court officials and officials of the
Essex county district attorney's of
fice declared, today, that no such de
mand or request from the prisoners'
attorneys had been made "since the
first one. - It was declared in legal
circles here, today, that whatever in
fluence can be brought to bear on the
Essex county officials will De Dent
toward a. SDeedy trial of Ettor and
Giovanniti to refute unfounded rumors
that undue influences have worked to
Keep tiittor ana lovauum iu jan.
FOR SALE, Large beautiful asters,
all colors, 25 for 25c 212 Wella
St. 16 b
TO RENT. 336 Norman St., 8 rooms,
Vz house, all Improvements, $35.
The Bridgeport Land & Title Co.
TO REST. Butler Ave., 6 room Vz
houses with all improvements, $26.
The Bridgeport Land & Title Co.
TO RENT. i 26 Lenox Ave., 6 room
flat, 2d floor, all improvements,
$30. The Bridgeport Land & Title
Co. a
TO RENT. 465 Stillman St., 4 room
flat, 1st floor, $11. The Bridgeport
Land & Title Co. a
DANCING at Colonial Ball Room to
night. " a
TO RENT. Flat, 5 rooms, all im-
provements, furnace, $11!., 130
' Frank street. Inquire 162 Frank
street. I 7 bpo
COMFORTABLE SIGHT ASSURED If
the strain is relieved. Examination
free. Glasses $1.00 up. Harry E.
Lee, optician, 300 Warner Building,
' 8 3 Fairfield AVc. ap
CHAUFFEUR WASTED. Must be
full-fledged mechanic; experienced
driver. Willing to help about place.
Temperate in habfts and married.
Address Chauffeur, care of Farmer.
I 7 a o
CLEAN HONEST business invest
ment, with practical business men.
I'c Participating Preferred offered
1-3 subscribed, unquestionable ref
erence. One reliable agent wanted.
Box 97, Defiance, Ohio. a.p
BRIDGEPORT . Employment Bureau.
Telephone 4111-3. Room 15, 6 70
State St. 15 do
WOODWORKERS: Experienced
Limousine body builders: steady
work and good pay. The Blue
Ribbon Auto & Carriage Co.
I 4 u o
TRIMMERS: Experienced Limousine
body trimmers; steady work and
good pay. The . Blue Ribbon Auto
& Carriage Co. 14 uo
TO RENT. First floor and basement
tenement, 36 Park, St., all improve
ments. Inquire J. S. Wooster &
Co. L 31 tf o 5 6
DOCTOR Rare opportunity to rent
' and assume an East Side physi
cian's extensive practice. For par
ticulars Address E. C. ,care Farmer.
...... '.- . T K . n
Harvey Hubbell And Dr. Fones
uit Republicans For
SERVANT GIRL
PLAINTIFF IN
STRANGE SUIT
Queer Circumstances Attend
Action Brought Against
J Well Known Con- ,"
tractor
George T. McCarthy, the well known
contractor of 929 Iranistan avenue, has
been sued for $25 by a former ser
vant named Franceska - Piatiewica
The action is the result of a peculiar
misunderstanding and it is expected
that the trial will furnish some sur
prises.
Last Thursday Mrs. McCarthy saw
the servant coming downstairs with
a bundle under her. -arm. The girl
announced that she . was going to
leave ana - Mrs. McCarthy asked what
was in the bundle. The girl did not
answer but instead went hurriedly
down the street. Mrs. McCarthy call
ed for her to return but the girl did
not obey.
The next day August M. Brill ar.
rived at the McCarthy residence say
ing, he was a private detective. He
had the servant with him and wanted
to collect $14 for her services. ' Mr.
McCarthy said he did not owe the girl
that amount for her services and that
he had no chance to pay her because
she left in such a hurry. He refused
to pay Brill and the latter departed.
This morning Attorneys Stewart &
Merva announced that on behalf of
the servant they had brought suit
against Mr. McCarthy . -for $25. Mr.
McCarthy was inclined to be indig
nant. He said no letters had been
written to him in order to give him
a chance to settle the matter and that
he did not sider it quite right to bring
a suit . under such conditions. The
action is returnable before Justice
Hugh J. Lavery. . . .
PERCY WATSON
SUED FOR DIVORCE
BY GRACE VATSON
' Percival Watson, a shipping clerk
at the Jennings Bros. Manufacturing
Co., who lives at 312 Prospect street.
has been sued for divorce by Grace
A. Watson of. this city. Deputy Sher
iff John M. Donnelly " served papers
on Watson last - night. - The action is
returnable to the. October term of the
superior court.
The plaintiff's maiden name is Grace
Taylor and she is the daughter of
H. O. Taylor, who keep a confection
ery store at 45 Cannon street. She
charges Watson with habitual intem
perance for the past six years and
also alleges desertion on March 12,
1909. The couple were married De
cember 5, 1905. Both are well known
and the case promises to be interest
ing. :
STATE TROOPS
PREVENT MINERS
FROM PARADING
. Charleston, W., Va., Sept. 7 Five
thousand West Virginia miners from
the Paint and Cabin Creek districts,
15 miles away, returned to their hills
from here, today. The state troops
prevented their proposed gathering,
last night, on the capitol grounds to
demand of Governor Glasscock the
abolition of the guard system.
The mine operators suggested that
such a demonstration was unneces
sary. They declared that a street pa
rade, last night, did not add strengtn
to the cause of the miners. Seeing a
cordon of soldiers about the cap'.tol
the miners quickly changed their plans
and marched to Kanawha. Mother
Jones. 80. was the principal speaker.
Many had feared that serious trou
ble would result when the miners
learned that soldiers had been sta
tiined at the capitol to prevent a mass
meeting. But the miners were peace
able. The marched coatless and un
formed, t
After the meeting a resolution ad
dressed to Governor . Glasscock asking
that mine guards be kept ou the mine
country, after -martial law enaed, was
adopted. "
JEALOUS HUSBAND
RIOT AT DEAD OF NIGHT
Green-eyed jealousy was the cause
of bringing Ernest Caldwell, a mason,
residing at 27 Buckingham street, be
fore Judge Wilder in the -city court,
this morning, charged by the officers
with committing a' breach of peace at
2 a. m. today, . when his recrimina
tions towards his wife awakened the
entire neighborhood and caused patrol
men to enter the house and appre
hend him.
Mrs. Clara Caldwell and her son,
Clarance, both testified that other
than insane jealousy, and drink, which
caused him to abuse her and other
wise scandalize the neighboring resi
dents, Caldwell was an ideal husband.
But his jealousy extended to even the
filial 'affections s.how his mother by
their son.
Asked by. -Judge Wilder in conclu
sion of the testimony if the prisoner
did- not think, the -lesson taught by his
arrest would have salutary effect up
on his future passions, Caldwell ad
mitted the schooling had been thor
ough and he was remanded to the care
of the probation officer for a period of
one' month.
Ernest Jackson, 20 years old. Mew
Haven, and Nicholas Sanzo, -19, were
araigned for car riding. Sanzo is
thought to be a deserter from the
army and will be held pending inves
tigation. Jackson, who has lived up
on the charity of others, sleeping
among the coal pockets at night, was
fined S3.
FOUND. On Stratford Beach, Sept.
5, one motor skiff. Owner can have
same by paying expenses. S. J.
Parks, TnincV, Ct . I 7 so
Progressive Party
Gains Two Im
portant Recruits
From Ranks of G,
0. P.
Tw more desertions from the Re
publican party" and the Roraback-King
political . oligarchy have come about,
much to the joy of local Progressive
leaders. Harvey Hubbell, prominent
manufacturer and a man of wide in
fluence in this 'ctiy, today signified his
intention to support the Progressive
party and vote for Theodore Roose
velt. "
Dr. Alfred C. Fones, son of former
Mayor Civilion Fones, and one of the
most prominent professional men of
the city, likewise declared himself to
day as a supporter of the Progressive
party.
These two names added to the roll
of - the Bull Moose party, give much
additional strength to the local move
ment. - Mr. Hubbell has never been
prominently identified with any po
litical party but has been known as
a staunch Republican and party con
tributor. He is a man of big busi
ness affairs and one of the leading
manufacturers of the State. From a
small beginning he has established
one of the largest plants In the city
in which are manufactured electrical
appllances and supplies. The business
has steadily grown under Mr. Hub
bell's management so that the floor
space ' is still being Increased by " a
large addition. . ...
Mr; Hubbell believes in COl. Roose
velt and the third party and has con
tributed toward the fund now being
raised for the local movement. . It is
hardly to be expected that he will
take an active part in the affairs of
the party but the fact that he is sup
porting the movement is very gratify
ing to the party leaders. .
-Dr. Fones is one of the-. clean, young
professional men . of the; city, .and
comes from an old line Republican
family.'. He Is In full , sympathy with
the third party and hac also contribut
ed toward the fund being raised. Dr.
Fones has' in the past been more or
less identified with the Republican
party. He is an enthusiastic support
er of the " movement and is counted
upon by "the Bull Moosers as one who
will be lof much - influence foj- the
movement.
Mr. Hubbell was asked today for a
statement but declared that he pre
ferred not to be interviewed. He did
admit however that he was for the
Progressive party. Dr. - Fones said
that he didn't care to make a state
ment off-hand" and had no time to
day to prepare one as he contemplated
a trip to Washington to attend the
National Dental association conven
tion which would last until Friday.
, William S. Brandegee of Seabright
avenue, Black Rock, of The Brande
gee Press, has also affiliated himself
with the Progressive party. Mr.
Brandegee, though a resident of the
city for years has never voted here.
He has filed an application however
to be made a voter and has stated his
intention of voting for the Third par
ty ticket. - ' i
CHEAPER TO PAY
FINE THAN TO BUY
MOTOR LICENSE
New York Woman Saves $15.84
by Taking Chance in
Fairfield
(Special to Tho Farmer.)
Fairfield, Sept. 7 Mrs. Gertrude B.
Scott of New York, for the past sea
son a resident of Fairfield Beach,
gambled with the State motor vehicle
laws and is the gainer thereby. Mrs.
Scott is the owner of an auto which
bears a l"ew Xorfc license. Under the
Connecticut laws a license must be
taken out. for a car that has been in
the State for moi-e than 30 days.
Mrs. Scott has been ill Fairfield
since the beginning of summer, but
she took a chance at evading the tak
ing out of the license. This morning
she was arrested and brought before
Justice Bacon Wakeman. . She plead
ed guilty and was fined $5 and costs,
amounting to $14.16. It so happened
that this was her last day in Fair
field, and that when arrested she was
on her return to New York.
The court could only impose a fine
and costs, but could not compel Mrs.
Scott to secure a Connecticut license.
As the license would . cost $30, Mrs.
Scott is in $15.84, the difference be
tween the State license and the fine
and costs.
After the court Mrs. Scott slated
tha.t it was not ie-norance of the laws
which brought her into court. She
admitted that she took a cnance ana
got away with it. Last year she
stated she was ' in Ohio on a New
York license for six months and did
not take out an Ohio, license. The
Ohio law is the same as Connecticut
relative to time in the State.
PAIR CHARGED
. . WITH MISCONDUCT
Upon a charge of misconduct pre
ferred against Antonio Dalwaj, 46
years old, and Annie Trace, 42. re
siding at 104 5 Hancock avenue, by
the husband of the woman, both were
today placed under arrest by Detec
tive Simons and will appear before
Judge. Wilder in city court Monday.
CHARGED WITH VOV-SlTrOKT
Upon the complaint of his wife,
John G. Smith, colored, living at 86
.Cannor. street, is today held by the
police to answer a charge of non-support.
The accused, a teamster, has
been employed at the - Banks stables
for some time past.
Bull Moose
BURR JOINS
BULL MOOSE
Republican Legislator of West
port Knows Many More
of Same Leaning
4 "
i (Special to The Farmer.)
Westport, Sept. 7. Representative
William H. Burr, member of the last
assembly, has renounced his faith in
the Republican party, and has joined
forces with the Bull Moose move
ment. Along with him go many of
his Republican friends. Representa
tive Burr has for years been a staunch
Republican, and has been probably
the best -Republican vote getter in
the town. , The party has heaped
many honors upon him. This year
he refused to accept a re-nomination
for representative. It is now rumored
that he will be the choice of the Bull
Moose party for that position.
Last week in the Republican cau
cus. Representative Burr was defeat
ed by Harry Sherwood as a delegate
to the Republican state convention. .
It isthe .opinion of Representative
Burr that 'there are plenty of good
progressives in Westport who will be
ready and':' willing to get together in
a town caucus and elect delegates to
the state convention.
DEBONAIR FORGER
HELD JN $1,000
Julius Frost, Just Through Term
in New Haven Jail, Waives
Examination
. Wanted in Bridgeport for the forg
ery of a check on March 18, ,1911,
which he succeeded in passing upon
the Lyon-Grumman-Munson Com
pany among others, whom he victim
ized in this and various cities
throughout the East, Julius Frost.
well dressed and debonair was re
turned to this city under arrest, yes
terday afternoon by . Detective , Serge
ant Edward Croma;
Waited -by several cities- for the
passing of -worthies., -checks, Frost
waa capturea last April in. . Trenton,
N. J., byr detectives from New Haven,
and was returned to this city, stand
ing trial in the superior court and
receiving a -sentence of three months
in the- New Haven jail. It was at
the -expiration of his sentence yes
terday that he was arrested . by De
tective Cronin and brought here to
answer for hia acts in Bridgeport- .
This morning Frost waived exami
nation in city court, asking that his
trial be heard in the tiigher tribunal.
He was held in $1,000 bail.
AMNESIA VICTIM
SENT TO HOSPITAL
Unable to Tell His Name, Man
is Held For Observation
The unknown, John Doe, again ap
peared in city court this morning in
the hope that he might be able to
answer to the charge of drunkenness
preferred against him. After a futile
effort on the part of officers, - detec
tives snd others to ascertain his name
qr condition, he was referred to , the
surgeons for further inspection.
Drs. Hart and Curley of the emer
gency hospital submitted him to a
superficial examination and through
gentle pressure upon an old scar over
the left frontal bond at one time were
sanguine of bringing back his escaped
memory.
It is thotight that he once suffered
a fracture of the skull or submitted
to an operation, and that through a
possible recent beating at the hands
of unknown parties, his present loss
oi memory resulted. He was sent to
the Bridgeport hospital for scrutiny.
OHIO MAN IS STRICKEN
WHILE HERE ON VISIT;
DIES -ALMOST INSTANTLY
: Henry A. Reed, a well known eitl
zen of Jilantua. Ohio, died suddenlv
last night at the home of his life-long
iriena, c.-ic Jp'owler, 247 State street.
wnom ne naa regularly visited at fre
quent intervals for many years past.
Mr. Reed, who was apparently well
until towards evening, - was talking
with the various members of the fam
ily, when' he suddenly fell to the floor
ana died almost instantly.
Mr. Reed - was well known through
out, this State and Massachusetts, as
he was formerly a salesman for the
weil known chocolate manufacturers,
Kibbe Brotlfers, Springfield. For
many years he drove - a four-horse
team for that concern through every
city and hamlet in this section, but re
tiring a few years ago sought rest and
seclusion on his farm in Mantua,
where he was also active in business
and politics.
He was in his sixtieth year, a bach
elor, and is survived by a sister in
Mantua, who has been notified of his
demise.
Dangerously hurt in
fall into cellar
While engaged in repairing a boiler
in' the lower story of the Handy &
Harmon factory, John street, Atilio
Chiroki, , 33 years old, employed by
tne ttriageport iioiier tompany, miss
ed his footing and fell to the cellar
below. It is not known whether a
heavy weight fell upon him, but when
assistance was rendered by the emcr-
ency hospital surgeons ho was found
to be suffering from a deeply lacerated
wound upon the scalp, a fracture of
the left wrist, fracture of one rib and
possible internal injuries. He was
conveyed at once to the Bridgeport
hospital where1 treatment was given.
He will be detained awaiting possible
--e elopmeaut.
FIRE BOARD TAKES ISSUE
WITH "PAID PESSIMISTS" OF
UNDERWRITERS' COMMITTEE
Commissioners Not Seriously
Impressed With Criticisms
of Investigators
Point Out Shortcomings of In
surance Companies by Way
of Fair Exchange Citizens
More Interested in Cheaper
Insurance Than the Reports
of the Underwriters' 'Commit
teeBoard Resents Effort of
Underwriter to Force Arbi
trary Methods on Local De
partment Investigators See
Only the Faults, Not the
Merits of the Fire Depart
ment and They Keep ' the
Rates Up
In refutation of the criticisms that
have recently been made . againat the
local fire department, the Fire Ccxm
missioners gave out, a. statement to
day. ..The statement comes from the
bpara as ai whole and not 'any one
member of. It. It undertakes to an
swer the criticisms that have been
made of the department by the fire
underwriters in the' recent report of
their special investigators. President
Wallace G. Tayloc said: "This statement-should
ndt- be 'regarded as any
answer to the criticisms alleged to
have been made by, the Allentown fire
men who visited us recently. Such
criticisms as they, may have made did
not come - to the ' board directly from
them so we are not trying to answer
their criticisms, if they made any."
" Here is the statement which cornea
from the Fire Commissioners:
Bridgeport's y fire ( department has
been a much-discussed institution dur
ing the past two weeks. From vari
ous sources, - varying- criticisms of it
have come. Some, have been favor
able; most have been unfavorable.
The Board of Fire- Commissioners be.
lieves that aa , administrators , of the
department for the city and for its
taxpayers, it is proper that , it should
at this time give to ' those - taxpayers
and to the cifyy In general some facts
which are-not 'generally known.
T Despite . all that lias been said ty'
some Critics, .Bridgeport I has an effi
cient Are department.- It is- not the
best department in the . country; no
thinking person would so claim. But
it- is an efficient 'department. Its
members are keenly interested in their
work- . Its officers are men of exper
ience in fighting fires. Its men are
active, unafraid. - and intent on per
forming their work quickly and well.
Even the investigators of the National
Board of Fire Underwriters officially
pronounce the department efficient.
It is true there is a fire hazard in
Bridgeport, a large hazard. There is
a fire hazard in every . ctiy. And no
city can afford to maintain a fire de
partment of such magnitude as would
be able to- cope with the fire which
might possibly occur within its boun
daries. So large a department would
be costly beyond all reason. Danger
of a large fire is something that is
present In every city. . That danger
will always be present until such time
as the,- law makes .it impossible to
erect buildings which will burn quick
ly. But a progressive city makes pro
vision to extinguish ordinary fires
without, the loss of a minute of time
and that is the aim of the Bridge
port department: to get quickly to a
fire and , to quickly extinguish that
fire. . : r -.
-Iif has been said that only through
"good luck" has Bridgeport. escaped a
serious and large fire in recent years.
Quick-moving apparatus, quick-acting
men, prompt use of the effective chem
ical extinguishers, an abundant wa
ter supply, if these constitute good
luck -then Bridgeport has been lucky.
As a . matter -.of fact, all these ele
ments enter Into - the splendid record
which has been made by Bridgeport.
' Just how good that record is will be
shown at a glance from th recent reT
port of the Underwriters' committee.
The average loss per fire in Bridgeport
during the past five years was $300,
a low figure. The average yearly
loss per capita was $1.04, "a low fig
ure." ..It required more than "good
luck" to make such a record. It re-
ouired f ffioient work and ereiniine in
terest and the expenditure of a large
amount of money by the city. From
the Underwriters report we find that
in 1908 the city spent upon its nre
department $156,152, while for the year
ending March 21st, 1912, there was
spent S240.848. Here is an increase
of practically $8-1,500 in yearly ex
pense.
During that ltme, too, the immDer
of men and amount of equipment was
largely increased. Two engines with
hose wagon)), one truck, two chemical
engines, two cnier s automooues, ohe
with chemical tank, three turret noz
zles, four cellar pipes all these were
added to th-s equipment. Mor-if impor
tant than this, the makeup of the de
partment was radically changed. In
1904 there were 43 permanent men and
93 call men in the department. To
day, not including the fire alarm force
oi the clerk, there are 130 permanent
men and no callmen.
Bridgeport's citizens are asking why.
in face of this improvement, there has
been so little reduction in fire insur
ance rates. TCo answer has. yet been
given them which is satisfactory. In
stead of an answer, there comes to
them the report from the Underwrit
ers- committee, a committee wnicn is
believed by citizens generally to be em
ployed especially to pick flaws in the
cities which it visits.
The Underwriters committee is a
committee of pessimists. Its members
simply have to be pessimists; they are
paid to be. They look at a cruller
and see only the hole. They look at
the nre department and see its denc-
encies. The Fire Board has no quar
rel with the Underwriters' committee.
Ita members were gentlemanly, ca
pable and courteous. But the Fiio
Board wishes to point out some thiners
regarding the report made by that
committee and to especially point out
some things not included :n the re
port.
It is recommended that zire alarm
headquarters be removed to a fireproof
building and that the so-called man
ual system be installed. As n mat
ter of fact, steps toward this end were
taken nearly a year ago. The Board
of, AanrtiaiuDnt at its last session,
was asked for money to build new
headquarters in which a manual sys
tem was to be later installed. It was
agreed between Ihe Board of Appor
tionment and the Fire Bcaid that th
matter was so extensive a one that
the money should properly be raised
by 'bonding. In accord with that
agreement the next IJeglslaturo will be
asked to authorize the insuance cf
bonds for that express p-.irpofe. This
fact was known to the Underwriters'
committee but evidently forgotten
'when its report was prepared.
Recommendation "o. 18 of the Un
derwriters' committee Is that Cherrl
eal 1 and each ladder ".ruck be equip
ped with three waterproof covers,
their use to be a part of the regular
duties. ' The u3 of such covers In
esentialy the work of a salvage corps
and is mainly for the benefit of the
insurance companies!. Bi:t such work
is already done by ihe members of thm
truck companies. Tn doing It. covers
have been used Ull they are now near
ly worn out.
This condition was called to the at
tention of a leading member of th
local Fire Insurance Exchange near
ly a year ago and he was Toques-ted
to ask the insurance companies cj fur
nish new tarau'ins. His prom was
given to take up the matter, hut no
report has ever been received regard
ing it. The members of this board
are confident that he did his best and
are equally confident that the insur
ance companies refused the request.
The board admits there is need at
additional hydrants. But it calls at
tention to the fact that they are be
ing installed in an increasing quan
tity each year. Records showing thi
were at the disposal of the Under
writers' committee. The board can
not agree that it is necessary to have
hydrants with a barrel of not les
than 6 inches diameter. If a 4 1-i
or 5 inch hydrant will give all the wa
ter that . a steamer can handle, the
board cannot see any advantage in th
using of a larger. A recommenda
tion regarding threads on hydrants ia
simply in line with the Underwriters
general effort to secure adoption of a
standard fixed by them. To adopt
this standard would be an expense to
the city with no apparent special gain
This criticism also applies to the rec
ommendation regarding hose cou
plings. Bridgeport's fire department ha
special couplings for use In ease - en
gines are called here for duty- from
other ctiles. Those cbfcplings are of
the same thread as is used in tttof
other cities and are so built that they
may be used in connecting to Bridge
port hydrants and hose. It was but
recently that an exchange of cou
plings for this very purpose was mado
with the department of Hartford.
; It Is the intent of the board to eoR
Verlf.Trta 2, located on 'Middle- atrt.
Into a motor-driven "truck next yeac.
This, work would have been under
way' now had money been appropriat
ed for it as a sum for that specific
purpose was asked in the last requisi
tion of the Fire Board to the Board
of Apportionment. When this truck
is so converted, it Is the opinion of
the board there will be no need of es
tablishing an additional truck com
pany in the northern section of the
ctiy, as is suggested by the report.
Improvements, are being made in the
fire alarm system, have been in pro
gress for some , time. These Include
the installation of an additional r
peater, putting . in of much 'inder
ground work, setting up of boxes -f
the newest type. The bo.-ird nien'ls
to have the fire alarm system as efri
cient as possible and is not wa'tin
one moment longer than necessary to
instal the manual system. In Ihe
meantime the present system ' will be
kept up to the greatest efficiency pos
sible. Records are good things to
judge by, and the members of th
board do not recall any occasion when
the fire alarm system has failed to
transmit an alarm except during a
severe storm. Even the latter failure
has been so rare as to be practically
negligible.
Experiments were made . last year
by the board in ' the- designating . of
fire alarm boxes by red lights. fhfjf
experiments did not prove .-esultful
as it was not found feasible to m.irk a
street light with red except at th
loss of its illuminating power and to
place special lights showing red at ihe
boxes was a step that would priv
very expensive.
In conclusion the Fire Board wish;
to say that it considers the inspection
by the Underwriters' committee a a
good thing. It spurs the men In the
department to renewed endeavor, it
shows up the weak places in the de
partment. But it has its own weaU
point and that !s its failure to glv
credit for improvements . which have
been made, its failure to take note of
contemplated betterments, . its aim f
force the city to adopt methods arbi
trarily fixed by the Underwriter
themselves which are productive of n"
better results than present methods.
It is the Underwriters committe'a
business to find fault. But it is rot
wise for the city to take too eriou.lv"
every criticism which is made. And
it is assuredly no evidence of civic
pride when city officials endorse with
out qualification every criticism made
either of the fire department or any
other branch of . the city govern
ment. The Fire Bocrd wonders if the dtl- .
zens -.f Bridgeport world not think.
much more highly of the Underwr'.:-
era if lowci insurance rate wr
granted them. And it is interested in
the outcome of the work of the special
committee appointed by the Board
Aldermen to work on 'his matter. But
most of all It is interested in keepinr?
the fire fighting force in an effective
and every-ready condition to meet
whatever duty may come to it.
The fire hazard we shall always
have with us The fire department
will be vigilant to do its utmost- to
prevent that hazard from developing
into a certainty of serious loss.
The greatest fire that ever consum
ed property could have been extin
guished with a pail of v.atr, had it
been discovered soon enough. It is
the first five minutes that count most,
in righting a fire. The Fire Board
wili continue to work to have jihe
Bridgeport department one that gets
'on its job" quick, that knows Wfiat
to do whan it gets there. a depart
ment that shall be continually improv
ing upon its present efficient condi
tion. ,
The nnnual meeting of the Falrflld,;
County Fish and Game Protective As
sociation will be held in th Board
of Trade Rooms. Xewfleld building.
Main and Golden Hill street. s Mon
day evening, at 8:15. Mr. D. C. Speen
burgh, special represetnatvre of th
American Game Protective and Pro
pagation association, also game war
den of the state of Xew Tort, will I
address the association. The election
of officers will be held.