Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-09-18
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
FIRE PROTECTION.

QueSClOns OF IRE prOtectiOn has again
broken out in that body This is good
thing. This matter should be agitated
until the citizens of the village are fully
awake. to the importance of securing
some substantial protection against fire.
Ever since its establishment the TRIBUNE
has labored earnestly in favor of this sub
tect. Although it is probable that with
the proper repairs and care, the hand en-
CINE at present owned by the village
could be made of considerable service, it
IS just as evident from the feelings of the
members of the council and citizens
upon the subject, that it can never be
made of any value here, because no one
has any faith in it.
The question of purchasing steam
fire engine was brought up before the
council. The proposition did not seem
to meet with very warm reception, and,
In our opinion, it is we'll for the village that
it did not, for i'm the opinion of the TRI-
BUNE, it would not be good policy for
MS to purchase steam fire engine. We
cannot afford it. More certain protec-
ton can be obtained for less money. We
venture to make the statement that a
steam fire engine and the necessary ap-
purtenances cannot be put in here for
much less than $4,000, certainly not less
than $4,000. We would also venture the
further opinion that it would cost as
much to keep up the steam fire depart
Aent to a standard of usefulness as all
other legitimate expenses of the village
combined. The cost of fourth-class
engine is given at $4,000. Hose cart,
$3.50. Two men are sent with the engine
to set it up and give the necessary run
ing directions. The expenses of these
men have to be paid. This together
with the freight on the machine will not
cost less than $3.50 more. Then there is
the hose. This, Of Of quality sufficient
ly strong to stand the pressure of a
steamer, costs from $1.25 to $l.40 per
foot, and not less than 1000 feet would
be required, this at the lowest figure
would be $1,250. Then there would have
to be team, for in place so scattered as
Cheboygan, it could not be run with any
degree of certainty by hand. This would
not cost less than $500. Then there
would have to be an engine house and
stable, which, at at economical esti-
mate with lot, would not cost less than
$1.20O, and probably more. Then there
would have to be some reservoirs, for all
those who help to pay the taxes for the
engine would want to receive some ben
eft from it and it is right that they
should. 1t would require at least four
reservoirs. These would cost $3.50 apiece,
or $1,000 in all. Here we have an expen-
diture of $3.50 as the cost of a steam fire
to say nothing of the ex-
pense of keeping up the department and
repairs upon the engine. which is mat
ter of no small importance, as every
place which has a steamer will testify.
This place cannot afford this expenditure
for the returns given.
The same amount Of money properly
expended would give cheap and
permanent water supply, one which the
expense Of keeping up would not be one
fourth that of the steam department.
Besides the supply for fire purposes, (which
would always be ample, there would be
sufficient for ali other purposes. We re-
fer to the project of taking water from
the dam. To secure as good water works
as any in the state, all that is necessary
is to run iron pipes from the dam to this
part of town with occasional branches
and the necessary hydrants and the ques-
ton of fire protection would be settled.
We are not posted in regard to the cost
of laying water mains, but it certainly
would not exceed the cost of the steam
and when once done and
paid for, there would be no large yearly
cost for keeping it in shape for use.
With such natural advantages for water
supply it would seem to us as the height
of folly to expend money for a steam fire
engine, which would always be the source
of large yearly expense.
If the village does not at present feel
able to 60 to the expense of either of
these improvements, we should recon-
mend the purchase Of Babcock chemical
engine, which experience has proven to
be extremely useful and first-class fire
protection. The cost is only about $4,000.
They are always ready for work and are
highly esteemed by all places which have
them in use. In some places in the state
where these engines are used in connec-
ton with the steamers, over half the fires
are put out by them before the steamers
can be got to work. These will do for
an emergency. but the water mains and
power if need be from the dam, is the
only permanent arrangement that should
in our opinion be thought of.
MORE ABOUT INLAND NAVIGATION.
A few days since the manager of this
paper took trip through our inland
lakes and rivers to the head of Crooked
Lake, in company with few other par
ties equally interested in the improve
ment Of the navigation of the rivers as
himself, for the purpose Of making the
surveys necessary to making an estimate
Of the cost of the improvement. Here
t0fore what we have said of the import
ance and advisability of securing this i'm
provement has been from information
derived from others. The facts as we