The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-12
IDLE STREET TALK.
AL FREsco CONVERSATIONS WITH
LEADING MEN OF MEMPHIS.
How to Put Curb Upon the Fire Fiend
Who Riots Amid smoke-The Color
Line Outside OF Poetry - Court
Square.


terday," remarked citizen, "but it has
not had its big fire yet. The big fire or
connagration comes in time TO all cities
and when least expected"
care we prepared for that event?" was
the resulting inquiry Of the newsgatherer
Totally unprepared," was the quick
response. "The developments made yes
terday prove this clearly. The fire de-
partment is too small for so large and
widely scattered city. Five engines and
small force Of men-large sections Of the
city without any protection at ala de-
partment hardly large enough to control
one big fire, but when two large fires are
raging at the same time, and far apart,
what can be the result except immense
destruction Of property. at the scene OF one
or the other. And then the necessary
supply Of water lacking, and the depart
ment fitted out with old rotor hose.
Memphis has so far been extremely lucky,
~s-Dut luck comes 10 an end sometime, and
then helplessness will appear and the fire
fiend will sweep away millions Of prop
ery."
"what is the remedy" was the inquiry
propounded by the matter Of fact news
gathcrer.
"liberality versus economy. We should
have fire patrol company and wagon,
ten well equipped fire steamers, ten well
organized fire companies furnished with
ali the modern appliances for the suppress
sion OF fires, and these engines and COM
panies should be 30 distributed within tho
corporate limits that every portion OF the
city would be covered and protected. ] do
not mean that protection which 10 many
of our citizens have at present-the house
which takes fire burns down, but the ad.
Joining property Is ssved-the rule should
be that the property on fire should be
saved, and 10 accomplish this IL Is only
necessary 10 have an engine at the fire 10
time, before Il gets under full Roadway,
This cannot be done with the present
number Of engines or the present number
OF companies. The central or business
portion Of the city should not only be full!
protected, but Chelsea, East Memphis ant
South Memphis, or Fort Pickering, shout,
be equally we'll protected. To do less ]
not doing equal and exact justice TO al
citizens"
"You think, then, that the Irving blocl
should have been saved, not Destroyer
propounded the street talk gatherer.
Undoubtedly" was the response, an'
had il not been for the brewery fire III
buildingoccupied by Brown and the build
ing occupied by Quintet and others woul
have been saved even II the Gregg build
ing fell prey 10 the deyouring fame'
People stood by and were helpless. The
saw the flames advance slowly but surel
from one building TO another. No engine
No waterl The little but efficient fire Dc
partment was a mile away at work at IN
Tennessee brewery FIRE. i do not want
be nut down ~ one Of the j told you SOS
INIT these are facts which are known
every intelligent citizen. Neither do d.
sire 10 be a Cassandra, prcsaging dire ey
and destruction. Our city solons shout
sec 10 il a. soon ~ possible and as the Mil
ado made the punishment III the crime
40 should they-our city iathen-make u
FIRE department equal 10 all OCCASION
present and prospective" =.
''What do you think Of the policcl
askcdthe reporter, their Tot IL not ha
nv one either among the Pirates oiPe
rance or among tho rough element
Memphis" =,
81 would reorganize that force also" .
sponded the talker, "by making II large
establishing a station.housc In Chelsea NJ
another In South Memphis; the Tor
should be divided into three compani'
with headquarters at each station'hou'
according TO allotment. Memphis shou
have nj least 100 patrolmen on this imp'
tant force, 90 a. TO give the necessary pl
lection 10 property and life in every ~
OF the city. Those arrested during the d
and night and confined In the north a
south station.houses, could each morni
be marched TO the central house or
corder's court for trial. Az II Ii now,
policeman IN the outlying districts, VIII
be makes an arrest Of drunken, turbuls
or dangerous character, has 10 march, dI
or carry the prisoner mile or more TO
Adams street station, and while he
been gone, some two hours, his beat
district is without police supervision
protection"
cali this would cost large amount
money" sadly answered the nteres
listener.
''That IL true" was the reply.
- means IN increase o! tax Tor police dep
ment aud for the fire department, but j
could money be spent 20 better adyania
or nut 10 where IL could possibly do m
rood. The protection Of life and props
means everything. The wonder not
hat property Is 80 well protected with
neagcr means at hand for doing 10"
"sce here, You newspaper man, "
means all this talk about the neg
threatening the whites and becoming