Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-05-26
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
FRIDAY EVE'G, MAY 2G, 1882
Gently, Brother.

fear this will be the result of its
views on the fire, although anybody
who is acquainted with its conductor
will scarcely accuse him of wi!lfully
using oil of vitrol when it is so plain
that only mild lubricant is needed
to make the great machinery of
every day life move along smoothly
and tremendously. 1t is true that
better water supply is needed, but
will the VIGOROUS kicks bestowed
upon "the old moss grown elements
of our community" bring it? 1t is
mooted question whether even an
ox-team can be swayed by a redun-
dency of words more emphatic than
elegant, and we know that the long
cared biped as well as quadruped of
aesthetic disposition, SO strongly OBJ
jects to their use as to pull back at
en- iuteriectional "Get up, blast
you'll" when they would yield instant
ly to the modifying" Will you?"
Nobody is likely to dispute the
proposition that we are without an
adequate water supply. 1t is APP
parent to the most casual observer.
Especially is it true of the upper part
of town, and many and long have
been the hours spent by some of our
citizens in the endeavor, with the
means at our disposal, of arriving at
some practical solution of the pro-
blem. 1t still remains unsolved.
1t is easy enough to say" Secure it,;
but how to make beginning, with
the revenue divided into 80 many
in6nitessimal parts to subserve vital
objects, and legal restraint from
imposing an additional tax-levy, as
ever present stumbling blocks in the
way of attainment of our desires,
provided a majority of the people
could be induced to do that which is
seldom done except when great
calamity has emphasized its impor-
tance-authorize a special tax by
vote. This question of water supply
is by no means q new one, outside
the limits of ur town, and the last
Legislature. recognizing its impor-
lance and the difficulties in the way
memurialized Congress for permits
sion to incur corporate Indebtedness
to secure it. The Transcript knows
that money will not come at COM
mand, yet it seems to think that all
that is needed is a vigorous shake of
the pocket to supply the many
thousands which would be required
to place fire-plug in front of every
house and a hydraulic ram in the
back yard.
Than again, we are sorry that the
Transcript could find it in its heart
to malign !" the old tub" as it calls
our really excellent hand engine.
1t is with feeling akin to those of the
ship-master who hears his vessel
berated that we read such absurd
statements about a machine which
has done much good service and
which probably prevented a general
conAagration at the very time to
which that journal refers. A steam
fire engine would be an excellent
aid, no doubt, but unless it is kept
with water heated the year round
and an engineer ever on the alert,
our old tub" would heat her with
the first stream at a time when any
engine, hand or steam, is most
effective, just after it is discovered
or before it has passed beyond con-
troll. There was some delay in get
ting the hose laid, at the late fire,
we admit, but this was no fault of
the engine, nor can We blame the
company whose volunteer services
are 80 seldom brought into requisi-
ton that it is no cause for surprise
there should be some confusion An
impression prevails with some peo-
pie that all we need at FIRE is a
steamer, and the flames will down at
the pointing of the nozzle, but there
are very few fremen who manifest
this confidence in the most improved
fire apparatus. A dozen steamers,
with unlimited water supply, could
not have prevented the fire burning
the buildingsfrom where it originated
to the corner of Fourth Street, after
the fifteen minutes lapse of time which
would probably have occurred in
getting up steam, Under the circum-
stances, nor would it have done
more than the old tub" in con-
timing the flames to limits in that
direction. 1t might, however, have
saved the southern portion of the
block and doubtless would have done
so; but who is to blame that one was
not on the ground in that emer-
gency? 1t can scarcely be said that
the people, or misrepresentation
the council-are at fault in the prem
ises. Ii takes money to buy steam
srs and money to maintain them
when bought. 1t would require
few thousands to prepare for effect
i've services from Z steamer, and