St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-07
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Need Of More Fire Apparatus Discussed
The following business was done at the
meeting of the board of directors of the
chamber of commerce yesterday morning:
COMO AVENUE.
Mr.. McClung offered a resolution that was
unanimously adopted, to the effect that it is
the opinion of the chamber that any boule-
ward connecting the city with the state fail
grounds should be laid out so as to connect
with the boulevard now being laid out to the
fair grounds from Minneapolis, making a
continuous broad avenue between the cities,
and that the boulevard should run south OF
the fair grounds and not through them. Mr..
McClung supported his resolution with re-
marks of great force and vigor agaist cutting
the fair grounds into two pieces by running
road through it, and he was generally sup
ported by all the leading members of the
board.
ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Mr.. George w. Hall, Manager of the st.
Paul Underwriters union, sent in the fol
lowing communication which was read:
To the President and Directors Of the st.
Paul Chamber of Commerce:
Gentlemen: In November last at the
time Of the fire at building 231 East Fourth
street, occupied by f. +. Osborne 81 Co., ii
was practically demonstrated that this city has
in its fire department only two steam fire
engines capable Of doing service at fire
above the height Of four stories. Soon after
a petition signed by fifty of the best firms
doing a wholesale business in this city was
presented TO the board of fire commissioners
asking for an immediate increase of fire ap-
paratus by adding thereto four extra first-class
piston steam fire engines, with hose car
riages and hose, one hook and ladder car
rage with extension ladder equal to rise OF
eighty-five feet, for use in the center Of the
city or wholesale and manufacturing dis
trict, relieving at least three of our
present small steamers for work
in the outlying districts which are now almost
destitute of any kind of protection against
fire. In December last our board of fire
com missioners, which is composed of our
most Trustworthy citizens, asked the common
council to increase our present apparatus by
adding thereto four extra irst-cass piston
steam fire engines, hose carriages and hose
therefor three hook and ladder carriages with
ladders and three chemical engines. Our
board Of fire commissioners are selected by the
mayor and confirmed by the common coun-
Gil on account of their intelligence, general
information and fitness for the offices which
they fill After having fully investigated
and considered the wants Of the city in the
way Of fire department and additional APP
paratus, they made the above recommended
TONS believing that in dong so they were
only bringing the department to the same
standard that other cities OF the size of st.
Paul have and that they were doing the duty
f,fo 81
as well as serving the best interests of the
city. Instead of acceeding to the request OF
the commissioners the council has only
authorized the purchase Of two chemical en-
gines some four months after the commits
sioners made the recommendations.
While the care of the common council in
guarding our city against excessive taxation
is commendable are they doing Justice to
themselves, or to the taxpayers who own
property in the outlying portions of the city
which are now practically unprotected 10y the
fire department, for which they are taxed to
support, as is also that portion of the CITY
occupied by the wholesale business where a
larger proportion of the buildings reach an
altitude of five and six stories.
beyond the reach of the pres
emit department apparatus, except the
last two steamers purchased something over
year ago 1t is my desire to call the atten-
ton Of the chamber of commerce, as n repre-
sentative body, TO the true condition of af-
fairs and TO ask your assistance in remedy
ing the evils which to my mind are appar-
emit Nearly four months have elapsed since
tue recommendations of the fire commission
ers were made; at the present time it would
be no more than possible TO complete and
place in commission the apparatus asked for,
before cold weather will be with us again. In
the meantime the tax levy will have been
made for another year, 1t should fully pro-
vide for the increase Of department asked
for, the rapid increase of our city demands
1t, both as to number of inhabitants and tax
able wealth. Unless the common council
takes immediate steps to supply that
portion of our city where high buildings
predominant, where the aggregate values are
large, with heavier apparatus, moving our
smaller engines to the now unprotected
points, where they will be capable of doing
good service, we shall be left another winter
without adequate protection against fire, and
in the meantime the insurance companies
will from necessity require an increase of
rates OF premium upon all property where
buildings reach an altitude of over three
stories, and also in the outlying districts low
unprotected. Respectfully yoars,
GEORGE W. HtIL,
Manager St Paul Underwriters Union.
st. Paul, Mimi, April 6. 1885.
Mr.. d. K. Moves stated that he had changed
his opinion in regard TO the St. Paul fire de-
partment He had thought heretofore that
we had as good n department rs any city OF
the same size, but he had studied into the
matter lately and he now thought differently.
In this respect St Paul is behind other cities
of the same size. He therefore would favor
still further additions 10 the department OF
the city
Mr.. Delano also gave his views and ex-
planned that the board had made certain de-
mands on the council, some OF which hat
been complied with aud others not He also
stated what the fire commission had done in
West 81. Paul aud other parts OF the city
and was OF the opinion that further addition.
should be made 10 the apparatus OF the de
partmeut. The communication was iuall,
sent to the committee on buildings and in
surance.
SANITARY MATTERS.
Mr.. Seabury stated that last November h,
had introduced resolution in regard 4
sanitary matters which was referred To the
committee on sanitary affairs, aud that NJ
report bad been made upon the subject. OR
inquiry be found that the committee had no
been called together He therefore made
motion, that was adopted, 10 the effect tina
the committee be requested 80 report at IN,
next meeting Of the board aud that TIE mat
ter Dc made the special order for that day
after which the board adjourned.
Only Eew Days More.
Only few days more remain of the grea
assignee sale of clothing, hats, furuishin.
goods, etc, at 81 Fast Third street. between