The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-27
MORE TALK THAN WORK
Citizens Discuss the Fire Depart.
ment's Needs.
No Definite Action Taken, but Variety of
Views Expressed-Danger Of Great
Confagration.

The committee having in charge the raising OF
100000 for the purpose OF purchasing addi-
lional fire apparatus met yesterday afternoon In
Inc Chamber OF Commerce aud on motion OF Louis
Sloss NJ. I. COIN was chosen to preside.
On taking the chair Mr.. COIN asked II any
steps had been taken 10 ascertain what assist
ance. If any, might be expected from the nsur-
ance companies, and was informed by l. Cutie
that they had already sgniied their Intention
tofeduce the rates of premiums whenever new
company was fully organized and equipped. In
his opinion the great demand was for more
hydrants, and lie hoped some steps would be
taken TO secure them.
c. B. Stone agreed with Mr.. Cutie, stating that
lie had learned that in ST. Louis and Chicago
MIGRANTS were so placed that water need never
be forced more than 800 feet, while in this city
II was seldom less than 700 OF 500. To lhis was
10 be attributed The bursting of the hose, and he
was assured by Mayor Pond that for the latterno
money need be expended. What was needed,
however, was a full paid department, and he
would sugge ST that the money raised be used for
that purpose, believing, as lie did, that the next
Legislature would see the wisdom OF 1t and
amend The law accordingly.
w. w. Montague was OF opinion that what was
wanted was mole engines, hose and bydTants.
lie would favor the chase Of as many more
engines as the CITY now possessed and thought
feet Of new hose. He did not wish 10 20 on
record as approving the theory Of full paid de-
partment, but he believed that The pressing need
was for tools W ih which 10 fight fire in the
event Of a eont1agration.
HAD BEEN THERE HIMSELF.
Mr.. Stone was averse, he said, to taking issue
with MIR. Montague but lie failed to see the ad-
vantage to be derived from additional engines
without providing for additional horses and
men, He admitted that there element of
political e&pedency in the present management
OF the Fire Department, and he knew from eX-
perlence that all politicians were towards. For
that reason he had abandoned politics, but he
was In favor of some action on the part OF the
merchants that would make The politicians
brave As matters stand at present lie was con-
WINGED that If a bill was introduced to Increase
The service there would be an immediate howl
that II was merely move TO wiring more money
from the people 10 satisfy the greed OF the poll
ucians. He felt that If the merchants would
raise 100000 for full-pai department il
would be evidence OF The TACT that they were
wiling 10 pay an additional tax and this would
encoui age the Legislature 10 give the required
felel. 1he time. lie thought, had come 10 put
up or shut up, aud he would give $500, hoping
that he might get it back either directly in
directly, and he believed If he never did 1t would
not ruin him.
MONEY NEEDED FIRST OF ALL.
Mr. Sloss believed that both Mr.. Montague and
Mr.. stone were right so far as they had gone, but
what was wan ted first money, and lie hoped
some one would suggest plan by Which II might
be secured.
Mr. Cutie stated that he wished TO say for the
insurance companies that They were not inter-
esied 10 such all extent as were the citizens.
Less than 40 per cent OF the property OF San
francisco was Insured. The insurance compa-
MES, at a cost OF $4,000 year, maintained TWO
iull paid patrol companies which lie believed
were not altogether TO their advantage, as mauy
meichants trusted 10 their efforts To save their
property Il ON destruction Instead OF having IL
Insured.
Mr.. Montague suggested that the insurance
companies be asked 10 pay their pro rata of the
amount required.
MI. Stone assured him that II the merchants of
this CITY wanted 10 raise Tie sum III question
they must do II among themselves and not look
10 the Insurance companies, who could not be
expected to pay the expenses OF new lire de-
parlment and reduce their rates al The same
time. IL would be asking too much.
MERCHANTS OPPOSE A SUBSCRIPTION.
MI. Esberg announced That lie had been sent
as representative OF the Board OF Trade. He
had secured the views OF great many promi-
nent merchants and lie had arrived at the con-
cluslOn that il wOul0 be difficult matter TO
raise any considerable sum OF money by sub
sciiptons. Those with whom he had conversed
were ready ana willing 10 Dear tile expense OF a
full paid lire department., but thought IL the duty
OF tue Legislature 10 provide for II, the sum 10
be raised by an additional Lax Il necessary.
Mr.. Sl0ss look issue Win Mr.. Esberg aud gave
1t as his opinion that pIlde, If nothing else,
should induce the merchants TO come 10 the
fiont. Here was a city OF 300, 200 inhabitants
400, 600 lie told his Eastern fIieuds-wlhout
any adequate means OF protection against con-
Migration. without any department AT all in COM
parisou with other cities. aud lie favored The
raising OF the money before any other steps were
taken.
PERSIcIoUs LAW.
Nit. Cutie said thai The present law WIS a per-
nici0us one. San francisco had a i've or six
story town and a ones story File Department. III
fire should break out IN Two places in The west
end with d high wind prevailing no bower could
save lie city IIom almost complete destruction
ana with property valued, accO ding 10 tn last
assessment, ut $500 100000, surely something
hon "a a. ln
keainey ilots the citizens were hampered by
law limiting the police force 10 100 men. The
merchants had raised the money 10 pay $50 men,
and al tie next Legislature the law was
amended. The result was The present force OF
400 men. Tie same thing could be done with
lie Fine Department. He then read a compare
tive statement vi the departments OF Boston and
san Francisco, which made poor showing for
the latter.
John +. English believed as MI. Cutie did.
that The service was defective, but thought IL
should be remedied by The Leg islature. He did
not belleve that the few should be asked TO pay
Tor the benefit of the many. While willing to
subscribe 10 a fund, II il should be decided TO
raise one, lie was oppOseu 10 The idea
THE MAYOR PowERLEss.
Mr.. Stone explained that under the present
law no levy could be made for year, and in the
mean time the city was in imminent danger. IL
was the fault OF Tie politicians that 1t was SO,
but that would not alter The law As IL was The
Mayor aud Board of Supervisors were powerIess.
Mr.. Center did nUl see that any progress was
being made, and II II was the fault OF the poti-
Clans he believed III turning them OUT, ana put
ling IN their places men VINO would have the
courage 10 act. The city had been misgoyerued
long enough, and II was high time that voters
were awakening TO the fact. he was opposed 10
Il subscription, aud favored the appointment OF
committee TO secure The necessary legislation.
II tie city was worth saving the city government
should do H. but II II were not, why, the sooner
IL went up i'll flames The better. The sum OF
100000 had been appropriated for a new
school house in place OF one recently burned.
ana he favored turning that money over TO tile
Fire Department until such time as they could
protect school property from fire.
Mr.. Sl0sS moved that al adjournment be taken
until Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, as nothing
could be settled by mere talk. Action neces-
sary aud lie hoped something would soon be
DONE This WIS carried.