The Baltimore County union., 1881-05-07
Correspondence Baifimors comaty Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Tho City Fire Department and the Belt.
The Question OF fAnnexation-Tho
jenkins Run and Other
Nuisances, &C.

BALTIMORE, May 9Th, 1851.
since the question Of our city Fire Commission
sioners not permitting Its fre apparatus TO bs
taken outside the city limits 20 extinguish 6res in
the Belt, there has been much excitement and con.
troversy pro and cos In reference thereto with res
idents both Of city and county. The matter 10
still In agitation between your County Commis-
sioners and our city Fire Commissioners, but no
definite arrangement or conclusion reached. I
understand these parties are 20 have q further
meeting here Friday, when, Il Is quite possible,
some rrangement-temporary at least-may be
made satisfactory 90 both sides. or this, however,
there Is absolute certainty. IL seems 10 be quite
certain that u the people Of the Belt expect here
alter 10 enjoy the benefit and proteetion Of the
baltimore Fire Department, or rs ere apparatus,
they must prepare 10 pay for IL in some way or
other. IL has been alleged that the expense con-
sequent upon our IRE apparatus going 10 fires out
side the city lmits amounted-ail things consid-
ered--to something like ten thousand dollars n
year. think, however. In this estimate the mat
ter is somewhat stretched or ovcr.estimated.-
There can be no question that II citizens Of the
Belt expect 10 enjoy the advantages Of our city
Fire Department they should calculate upon rem
defing just equivalent therefor. Il is much
more expensive and destructive 10 the machinery
OF engines going out into the country on bad roads
particularly In the winter or bad weather-than
u is attending eonhagrations In the city, whilst
the labor 10 hremen andthc fatigue, danger, etc.,
are also greater. This s just upon scriptura doc.
trine, that "the laborer 10 worthy Of his hire" Il
10 now said your County Commissioners are con-
alent for the advantage OF our citv Fire Denart.
ment extending It's valuable services 10 the county
In attending land II possiblel extinguishing ares
10 the Belt. The matter, doubt not, will be def.
nitely and satisfactorily adjusted NJ the coutem-
plated meeting Of the Commissioners on Friday
next, or very soon thereafter. IT, however, in
habtants Of the Belt and suburbs generally are 20
depend wholly upon the city Fire Department
there must be some guarantee that an engine, or
engines, can be kept In such easy proximity that
they can be taken more expeditiousiy and certain
~ 20 conhagrations outside the city than they
have heretofore been. in order 10 be absolutely
seryiceablc. Tosaris this end Il would be ad-
yisabic for the city 10 construct an engine house.
or houses, more convenient 20 the thickly popuia-
ted portions Of the suburbs than there are At pres
ent, In order that they can be confidently relied
upon for effective service.
The recent agitation Of this FIRE question has, 10
. considerable degree, revived the problem of an
nexing the Belt, or that portion Of Baltimore
county heretofore mapped OF some few years ago
and then proposed for annexation 20 Baltimore
city. find there are now very many residents
cf our suburbs in all directions willing and anx-
ious TO be annexed who previously opposed and
voted against 10. This has not only grown out Of
m insufficient county government and protection
regarding res but absence of school or educational
facilities, water and gas privileges and other i'm.
portant accommodations. Owners, too. Of proper
~ In the suburbs are becoming fully impressed
with the idea that their property would greatly
advance In value IL united to the city so as 20 en-
joy the privilege. of it, corporate advantare..-
The manner and system Of managing affair. In the
suitable with the necessary and more active enter.
prizes incident to large growing commercial cities
What suits aud is adapted to one does not bar.
monize with the other. Hence Il becomes aItnost