Fire Alarm Telegraph

A Fire Alarm Telegraph.

The subject of a Fire Alarm Telegraph which has been agitated in this city, more or less, for the past two or three years, is likely to be brought before Councils at their next meeting. J. T. Elliott, Esq., who represents the American Fire Alarm Telegraph Company, is now in this city for the purpose of presenting the claims of the system now in use by the company named, and for the main features of which patents have been obtained. It is perhaps enough to say, in favor of this system, that it has been adopted in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Providence, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and New Orleans, and that negotiations are pending for its introduction into other prominent cities. The object of Mr. Elliott's visit at present is to make known the advantages of his system and have them properly presented to Councils. He is now in consultation with leading members of the Fire Department and the Councils, and after he has examined the "lay" of the city thoroughly, he can give close estimates as to the cost, which will perhaps form the principal barrier to the introduction of this or any other system. The information obtained from Mr. Elliott will be communicated to Councils at their next session, when the project can be discussed sufficiently to test the feelings of the body, and if further action is deemed advisable the subject can be referred to a special committee or disposed of in such manner as may seem best. We have no hesitation in saying that a Fire Alarm Telegraph would prove beneficial to the city, but whether it would be prudent to incur the expenses at this time is a matter for the Finance Committee to determine. We mention the subject merely to advise our readers to what is going on and to give them a chance to discuss the measure.