Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-18
PROPER PROTECTION.
Why the ARGUS" Advocates Paid
Department.
some OF the oh eetiOns 20 Volunteer
Firemen-Pubiies safety Demands n
Reliable system.

The Union, that antiguated survive
of ancient ages, contained the following
in its column of rehash headed "loca
lsconcs" this morning;
There would be no objection to thu
ARGUS riding its hobby of a paid fire de
partment if il would do SO IN reason anC
moderation. 1t is a poor cause, how
ever, that will not stand on its own mer'
its, and when in order to make a poinI
the ARGUS has to falsify and malign oul
excellent volunteer service its cause is 8
very poor one indeed. The firemen, who
are entitled to thanks and praise fol
their good work at Harpcr's theatre, are
outraged and indignant at the tissue OF
Misrepresentation designed to discredit
their service.
Whether or not the Union made any
friends among the volunteer tiremen OF
Rock Island by this misstatement, the
ARGUS is not prepared to say, nor does it
care to take the trouble to ascertain.
The statement, however, that the ARGUS
falsified or maligned the firemen is clear
cut and deliberate fabrication. We are
inclined to believe that no one
with the usual allowance of Or
binary human intellect will misappre-
bend the intention of the ARGUS in its
report of Thursday evenings fire. The
| ARGUS had preventative at the fire,
while the Union had not, and the report
appearing in this paper was, we must IN
sist in the face of all contradiction, abso-
lutely correct. The ARGUS repeats what
it has always said, that the volunteer
firemen of Rock Island are entitled to
credit for the gratuitous service they at
tempt to render the city, and it has only
| praise for the good Intentions of the men
who compose the department, and who,
at the risk of life and public censure, ex
pose and inconvenience themselves to
save property. The ARGUS admires their
pluck and determination, but it condemns
most emphatlcally, and will continue to
condemn as long as the practice exists,
the system W hich provides for volunteer
firemen. Occasionally they do good
work, and all things considered, they did
at the Harper's theatre fire, but |
In more cases than they prove |
of service they will cause des-
truction, whenever they are called upon |
to act. 1t is not to be otherwise ex-
pected, and it is unreasonable for the city
council to expect men of all occupations
to leave their work or home duties and
devote themselves to the saving OF props
erty where glory is the only gain to be
obtained. This working for glory is not
a very paying business for anybody.
There must be an obligation or consider
alton at the source of every endeavor
which is to be crowned with success, and
the ARGUS would not dislike to see every
fireman in Rock Island resign this posi-
lion until the city provides just remuner-
alton for services rendered. AS a means
Of social enjoyment. the various organi- /
cations are to be commended, but as af.
,ording protection to property, they are {
nothing short of lamentable failure.
The main thing to contend with in a
10 ldIh VI |
.ation and lack of discipline, evils which t
cannot be remedied as long as there are I
10 many men to command at one time |
Because each company has a cart and Il 7
certain amount of hose at its disposal, is {
10 reason that water should be called into .
Use at every fire they visit. To drench I
| burning building with water does not
ave property. The point is to exactly
ocate the fire first, and then control it,
md to contiue it to that place as far as
possible, and the aim should be to pros
ect surrounding property from water as .
veil as fire, for one is as much of an eleN
nent of destruction as the other.
Ten disciplined men would do more :,
'ood in handling a fire. no matter what
Is proportions, than the entire Rock :.
sland department, and it is for this :,
eason that the ARGUS in the
interests of property holders and
AK payers, urges paid service. Is this
hobby 1t would cost considerable to /.
quip department, but once established, :,
. will cost little more than the present
Three companies, two =
lose carts with horses, and one hook and y
adder truck, with four men to company /
nd chief, all appointed by the council =,
nd always on duty with electric alarm :,
pparatus, would cover this entire town.
he entire volunteer department should
e iisbanded, with the possible exception
f one company at each end to work in lie
with the paid service when e
ecessary, and under the direction of the tt
hief We should have paid organized u
ystem, and until it is provided, property 81
! Rock Island is without protection. AS g
'ell have volunteer police force as a e.
olu nteer fire department. h
Coming and Going.
Ex>County Treasurer Fleming is tt
,oting up the totals of births, marriages Ii
nd deaths in Rock Island county for the st
eriod beginning Jan. /. and ending Il