, 1875-02-07
GEN, SHALER'S IDEAS AGAIM.

d6Q. SHALER mas Ouc6 llOIe f3lFcu tx pres
sion to some of his ideas relative to the pro-
posed reforms in the Fire Department, Al
dc1nan CASE, who is q member Of the Board
of Underwriters, having written to the Cen
eral to inquire if some modified plan could
not be suggested by which the city might be
saved the enormous expense growing out Of
his original proposition. In reply Gen.
SHA1ER intimates that Marshal BESNER's esti-
mate Of $33i 600 for tho purchase of lots and
erection Of buildings, which, by the way,
would probably cost q half million or more of
dollars, might be reduced by renting build
ings for the new apparatus, which could be put
in the proper repair for about $58, 600, and
which would reduce the immediate outlay to
about one-haH Of the estimate. He would
also strike out some Of the third-cIass steam-
ers, reduce the estimates for fuel
depots and wagons, but does not think that
Mr. CHAsDLEn's estimate Of $132, 600 for i'm
proving the Fire-Aar1n Telegraph can be ma-
terially 1essened The saving in the original
estimate Of 1900, 900 which Gen. SHA1En
thinks might be effected is $38S,500. This
would be something Of saving, but it does
not affect the impracticability Of Gen
SHA1ER's propositions nor does his new man-
ifesto relieve the situation in the least, and
for two reasons /. The proposition of Gen.
SaAIER, that the city shall rent quarters for
the costly fire apparatus is simply impracti-
cable, and would prove the most expensive
piece of economy that the taxpayers Of Chi
nS{
buildings suitable for the housing Of fire ep-
paratus, horses, and men without entirely re-
modelling them and erecting additions, in
volving great expense. Again, the city, when
it tbuilds, does SO with aview to permapence,a ,and
erects strong, safe, and substantial structures
whereas the buildings it would rent, scattered
al over the city, would be specially exposed
to fire. Again, the city would be in the
clutches of scores Of grasping landlords, who
would exact heavy rentals, doubling them up
upon expiration Of lenses, and saddling in
surance and oil other expenses upon the city.
These landlords would form ring for opera-
ton in the Council, which, as the Grand Jury
recently stated, is peculiarly susceptible to
pecuniary influences, and would be manipu-
lated by the landlords to suit their own pur-
poses. Renting, in fact, would becworse
than building; in the end, it would be more
expensive and greater burden upon the tax
payers.
2. IF it is impossible to raise $780, 600
extra taxes for ire machines, how is it more
possible to raise $S50,000? Where is the
money to come from? It would undoubted-
y be very nice thing to have steamer,
amply equipped with men, horses, and hose,
IN every block in the city; but how are We
going to pay for them? Where is the money
20 come from to pay for these numerous
steamers and their costly. equipment, and for
:hese hundreds Of miles of telegraph wire,
md poles, and batteries, and Instruments; to |
oay the salaries Of the immense addition to !
he force Of men necessary to operate the |
ire-alarm telegraph and the additional en-
zines? 1t would be just as absurd for IN in-
1ividual whose estate is deeply incumbered
With debts, who cannot pay his interest, and
'nrely manages to clear off his taxes, to 70
0 work and increase his expenses by stretch
ng his credit beyond its limits in in
movements which are not actually needed, as
or the City Of Chicago to plunge headlong
nto more debt and taxes when it has all it
an do to pay its present indebtedness and
expenditures. Gen. SHALER should remem-
er that these are hard times; that people
re- staggering along under their individual
nancial burdens; that the present taxes are
[ready almost into1ezable; and that the tax
ayers ccnnot and will not raise the money
ecessary to carry out lis costly schemes.
lis proposed reduction does not ease up the
ondition Of tho city or it's citizens at all.
More than this, We do not believe his re-
'rms as whole are necessary or will au-
ver>ny useful purpose. The first objec. Of
Fire Department, as we have said "a
eatedly, is to prerent fires, and this We.
slieve can be done at comparatively
nall expense, and much more e1fectu-
II than Gen. 6HA1xz proposes. BY the pur.