Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-11


counsel in carrying forward their thankless
task. In this connection desire to recon-
mend that you purchase at once the site
contemplated for pumping station in the
East division. In the estimate presented
by the board, and on which bonds were
Authorized to be issued, $4,000 was
thought to be sufficient for this purpose.
Since then an opportunity has presented
for the purchase of water privilege which
will supply all the city's future wants, and
at point removed from any possible
danger Of fires, explosions or other admis-
sible calamities. This site, which is being
held for the refusal of your
honorable body, and which will cost
$4,000, recommend be purchased If, af-
ter thorough investigation, you agree
with me and find the title to be perfect
If this Or any other extensive water power
is:to be purchased the future needs OF the
city should be carefully considered. The
upper portion of the pumping station of
the East division can be utilized in the near
future, if sufficient water power is secured,
to run enough electric machines to fur
nish light for all our public streets. In
this one item enough money could be
saved in few years to pay for the site and
ali Improvements; besides it would soon
become source of income the same as the
water works. I trust this matter will re-
ceive prompt action at your hands.
In this connection I desire on behalf of
our citizens to thank tbs board of water
commissioners-Hon. O. G. Merrimau,
Hon. Frank L. Morse, Hon. VIM. Il. Grim
shaw and Hon. James Waters-for the val
liable services rendered and the large
q no r7T1f Of fhnr {a1 10 -
city's interest, and that, too, without the
least compensation.
FEE DEPARTMENT..
think Minneapolis has one of the finest
fire departments in the country, composed
as it is Of as brave men and accomplished
fremen as can be found anywhere. It is
under admirable discipline and differed
by men who have spent years of severe
duty in learning how to fight fire. Their
record, the bestpossible test, entities them
to the distinction they have SO nobly won.
During the year they have had much to
contend with on account of limited water
supply and pressure, for reasons referred
to under the head of water works. This
source of complaint will soon be removed
and our department will then feel at ease
again. The record of the year has been
very gratifying one, inasmuch as it con-
tains no disastrous CONGREGATIONS. Is now
composed the department has twenty
eight permanent officers and men, and
forty-three men who respond to fire
alarms. The growth of cur city and the
recent acquisition of a considerable popu-
lation will no doubt prompt you to give
the chief engineer a permanent first
assistant and the other aid which he has
asked at your hands. There is in the de-
partment now four steam fire engines, six
two-horse and one one-horse hose carts,
two hook and ladder trucks, one chemical
engine and ladder truck combined, one
supply wagon, four old hand carts, now
used for reserve reels, and twenty eight
horses -four disabled). All of this is at
present housed in seven houses.
1 recommend in this connection that
real estate be at once purchased in the
back portion of the Fourth or Fifth ward.
and in the back portion of the Sixth ward,
near the thickly settled portion of the
Seventh ward, and that hose houses be
erected thereon at as early day as prac-
ticable.
further recommend that fire alarm
boxes be placed in the new wards at the
earliest day possible.
Further, l urge upon you to take imme-
date steps to provide for extending the
twelve-inch water main from the corner of
Sixth avenue south ard franklin, up the
latter avenue to Nicollet avenue, and out
the latter to the thickly settled portion of
the Eighth ward; also to extend the
twelve-inch main that was laid in Mime
haha avenue last fall down into the Seventh
ward; also TO extend a main to the south
easterly portion of the Second ward, re-
Gently taken into the city limits. These
localities are Gensely populated and are
crowded with wooden buildings which are
located so close to each other that fire
would, under the most favorable circum-
stances without Q supply CT water, sweep
them ell out OF existence.
During the year the fire department has
responded to 1871 alarms-an increase of
80 ever the preceding year. The appara-
tus IL responding to these alarms has run
2,08S miles-an average of ia miles for
each. A total of Isl, $50 feet of hose has
been ,laid-about thirty miles: and the
companies have averaged ninety five hours
eight minutes service each.
For losses, insurance, etc., refer you to
Chief Engineer Stetson's able report.
The value of real estate, houses, etc.,and
apparatus Of the fire department is esti-
mated at $4,000.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The police force of the city at present
consists of chief, two captains, two lieu
tenants, four sergeants, two detectives and
forty-six patrolmen; total force, ffty-sev-
en- men. Besides these there are two court
officers, two jailers, keeper of stone pile,
driver of patrol wagon and three bridge
watchmen. The court officers, jailer and
keeper of stone pile should belong to the
regular force and be detailed on special
duty. This is my desire for the present
year if it meets the approval of your hon.
orable body. 1t would, in my opinion, i'm
prove discipline and enable me to place
the most efficient men at the places they
are best fitted to fill. If We include these
men in the regular force, then the total
will be sixty-two.
In most OF the Eastern cities the stand
ard pretty generally adopted is one police
man to every thousand inhabitants; al
though in some cities there is an officer to
every five hundred, seven hundred and
nine hundred-the number being depend
ent, somewhat, upon the character of the
population. Chicago, with a population
of ehort 550 600 has XXI DoIicemen Nav