Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-05
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

4
Developing Our Quarries-The ST. Paul
Fire Departmert-Cost of Improve.
| ments.
yesterday morning D. McCaine. from the com.
mittee on minerals, submitted report con.
Guiding with the following resolutions. which
were adopted
| Rssolued, That the st. Paul Chamber OF Com
erce hereby earnestly request all owners Of quarries
Of granite, sandstone slate, soapstone, or other
ward to Prof. N. H. Winchell, State geologst, Min.
neapolis Mimi, at once, without expense to him,
such specimens Of their stone as will square four
cubes two inches, sound and perfect for test by the
government at New York; also, one specimen Of
like quality that will square 12xl2 inches, six inches
| thick, to place IN the State University museum.
ResolUed That the present offer of the State Uni-
versity by Prof Winche affords to owners of quar-
res rare opportunity, without personal expense. to
prove ust what is necessary to give their quarries
standing and value In public estimation thus oon-
ferrng beneft upon the owners themselves and the
State at large.
TIE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the committee on fire depart.
ment, submitted last week, was taken up.
MIR. Murray said if the recommendations of
the committee were carried out 1t would In.
volve the expenditure OF large amount of
money-S30 900 or $40 600. Since the report
had been published at least six members of the
chamber had called upon him and urged the
necessity of keeping down the tax levy. The
matter was one of great Importance and he ia
vored sending it to the special committee on
taxes, in order that it could be examined in
all its bearings.
Mr.. Noyes asked If the one mill additional
levy did not cover the $27, 900 mentioned in the
tax estimate.
Mr.. Murray said it did, but the question is,
will the chamber recommend still further
increase of one or two mills more?
Capt. Berkey said, referring to the two re-
cent fires, that if we had had forty engines
those two large buildings would have been
burned down.
Mr. Noyes at some length defended the re-
port of the committee.
Mr. McClung said it was not necessary, nor
was it policy to pay for all these additional ex.
penses by direct tax. They were extraordin-
ary necessities and should be paid for in part,
at least by those who come after US. He was
glad the committee had made such a radical
report. 1t was fact patent to all, that the
tire department was deficient, and that more
men and equipments were needed.
MIR. Noyes said that no ono would dispute
the fact that we needed more engines and sd-
dltional cisterns on st. Anthony Hill and in the
Sixth Ward. At least twelve new signal sta
tions were needed. st. Paul is different from
other cities of It's size. She has large and mag
nifcent warehouses, filled with property of
great value, and We need better fire
department than most of cities much large tht a
st. Paul. He was satisfied that the tax PAYERS
would pay one CT two mills or even three mills
more if that would give as an Efficient, we'll
equipped fire department.
Mr.. Murray said the two recent fires had had
a tendency to depreciate the fire department,
but matter of fact had our fire department
been fully up to the standard asked for in the
report of the committee those buildings would
have burned. Gentlemen talk glibly about
the expenditure of 100000, while they over
look a matter of far more importance that
costs nothing at all. He referred to the pass.
age of the building ordinance with superin-
tendent of buildings.
Mr.. Driscoll wanted to know how much
the increase in the vote of taxation was for
this year.
Mr.. Murray-Two mills, one OF which is in
tended 90 cover the S27,0 000 Cor new engines
The adoption of this report would
neoessitate still further increase Of two mills
or more.
Capt. Starkey congratulated the chamber
upon the effect of the original resolution upon
this subject which he had introduced. He gave
brief account of the action of the different
committees On the matter, during which he
said he had grave doubts to the efficiency
and capability of the present chief of the
fire department. In conclusion, he moved that
the committee on fire department be discharged
from any further consideration of the subject,
and that it be referred to the special cemmit-
tee on taxes.
Gen. Sauborn moved an amendment that
the report of the committee be adopted.
DR.. Day wanted to know if we had not ipde-
pendent boards enough. He thought the city
council could attend to this matter without
the organizat alton of another independent board
There seemed TO be tendency towards waste
apparatus, etc., but should oppose the estab.
istment of any more boards.
Mr.. Hodgson said there was an economy
which impoverishes, and referred to the un-
protected condition of the residences on St.
Anthony hill.
Mr.. Murray said that while he claimed st.
Paul was the largest city in the Northwest, it
did not need a fire department as large as Chi
cago, and if the members did, they should re-
member that the tax payers would have 10
dance while the chambe was fiddlipg.
Mr.. Noyes stated incidentally that an efficient
fire department would materially influence the
rates of insurance.
MIR. Lee said if the report was to be adopted
it should be amended in some particulars
While the report was generally good, there
were some things in 1t, especially that relatiug
to making it misdemeanor to give or sell a
fireman any malt or spirituous liquors duripsa
fire, which were ridiculo to say the least.
Pending the discussion and without coming
to any vote the chamber adjourned.