Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-07-30
THE FIREMEN.
The Enterprise OF the voIunteers---
The Franklins. Gsilpins. Phenix and
HOitys---The Alarm.

The Franklins. GilDins. Phoenix and
HOitys---The Alarm.
The firemen of this city are wide awake
and are In the way of betterment, but
which cannot be comprehended by the
people of the city who do not mingle
with the men who make sp the rank and
file of the membership of the department
Their ambition to outward appearances
and actual work, goes on the line Of
doing little better than the height oring
companies. The Franklin hose COM
pany was the starter. the Gable company
was the second in the field its hose
wagon is housed and paid for. The city
was To the expense of $50 in payment for
stall for the horse. The Gilpin hose
company of the Seventh ward, were the
next on the list. This company has
horse and harness, but no cart suitable
for horse service. The members of the
company are willing to take the two
wheeled Franklin cart, but cannot for
some reason make the dicker. The cart
outside of the improvements is owned by
the city. and the Franklins Justly think
that the city should compensate them for
their outlay in remodeling it from drag
rope to horse pulling cart.
The boys of Phoenix No. say their
barn is complete and the hose wagon
which is ordered and paid for will he in
service in less than three weeks. They
have appointed a committee to purchase
horse. The committee has visited nu-
merous pan ties with horses for sale, but
on inspection did not think the horses
inspected filled the bill When one is
bought j; is moral certainty that it will
he flyer. The Phoenix company has
purchased two beds which will hold four
men, who will be on hand from p m. to
a. m. This four will be relieved by one
who will be on watch during the day
hours. The boys say they would not
feel in the least bit offended if the citi-
Zens would provide them with books,
papers or other reading matter AT the
last regular meeting it was unanimously
resolved that no intoxicants should he
brought to the hose house. Hot coffee
will be provided after every fire, with
light refreshments.
The one thing desirable now Is
the electric fire alarm. 1t now bchooves
the city council to provide the de-
partment with fire alarms, If pos>
sible. The manufacturers of the
lower end of the city have all their works
connected by local FIRE alarm with the
Franklin hose house, and they see the
necessity of quick service, but do not
feel able to extend the system to Phoenix
hose house, which is the next company
in distance. There is no taxpayer who
would kick at an outlay of $4,000 for a
fire alarm, and so long as it is necessity
and is bound to come by spring. why not
have it this fall? 1t is permanent i'm
provement and one that should be pro-
vided without fail.
The Holly hose company No. 5, at
their last regular meeting by d unsni>
NOUS vote agreed to contribute all the
money they have in the treasury 5000
to buy wagon and horse with other
equipments. The committee purchased
an Iron gray horse. weighing 400
pounds. The hose wagon was ordered
from the American Fire Hose company
Saturday by telegraph. The wagon is to
be delivered within forty days of signing
of contract. The stall for the horse will |
be placed in the rear end of the hose |
house. Score No. to the credit of the |
volunteer fire department. The city |
council should keep step with the fire
ladies and furnish fire alarm.
The item of insurance should he taken |
into consideration in connection with a
good fire department and a reliable fire
alarm. All cities where there exists "a |
paid fire department and fire alarm sys-
tenn the rate Of insurance has decreased |
one-half. The item Of premium on in~ |
surance policies for six months will more |
than compensate the tax. payers of the
city for the outlay for the fire alarm
plant. There is no city in the country
so fortunate as this. The compauiescon-
tribute out OF their own savings to pur-
chase what would cost the city many
dollars, and the service with the aid of
the alarm will be equal to the most
favored.
Mr.. Rolf, representative Of the Amer.
lean alarm system, is in Rock Island for
few days looking over the situation.
The company has just put in systems at
Atlantic and Red Oak. neither of which
are half the size of Rock Island 1, hav-
ing been noised around all over the
country that Rock Island is improving
its fire service. the American company
deemed it wise TO send representative
here and 1t is hoped he will GO away with
an order from the city for one of his
alarm systems.
The HOllys are about 10 start a SUBJ
scription paper among our merchants for
the purpose Of raising funds to assist
them in the undertakings they have as
sumed, and they will undoubtedly meet
with the success they deserve.
Land Excursions
On August 9th and Goth, September
10th and oath and October Sth land ex>
cursion tickets will be sold to points in