Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-03-13
PROTECTION NECESSARY.
The Helpless Condition of the
City in case a fire
is started.
A Bucket Brigade suggested
in order to keep Insur-
ance rates down.

For some time past this city has been
badly in need Of some kind OF fire protee-
ton. Al present there is none whatever,
and the business portion of the city is at
she mercy of the flames. Six months or
year ago fire protection was unnecessary.
owing to the distance the buildings were |
apart, but now the whole district is thick |
~ covered with buildings that are filled |
with costly merchandise, This should be |
protected in other ways than by insur-
ance. So far the better class of insurance
companies have not refused business here,
and the others have bid high for il, but
that state Of affairs cannot go on forever.
Each building erected increases the haz-
ard and risk, and il is only matter of
ime until it will be almost impossible to
get indemnity against fire unless the ciu-
2ens take hold and do something for them
selves. Until Fairhaven is incorporated,
of course, it is impossible to get fire
engines, hose-carts, etc, but until that
time the business men could organize and
assist 10 a certain extent. With this OBJ
object in view, a HERALD reporter start
cd out yesterday and interviewed several
Of the insurance agents and business men.
Not one OF those seen but who was
heartily in favor Of the scheme, and eN-
pressed their willingness TO share the
work. One Of the merchants said: Il
hope you will push and urge this matter
until you accomplish what think l. one
Of the most necessary things to the cities
success. know men that have been
here with view 10 locating
and ON looking over the city they
ask. What kind Of fire protection
have you herc?" Reluctantly | had tC
answer. none This OF course was moi
satisfactory and the men left. They saiC
they could not afford TO locate here, anC
bring in a stock Of goods that would be a
the mercy Of the flames. You canno
blame them. | have large stock here
and IL is well covered with insurance. bu
even then should be burned out woul,
lose heavily, as no company oreompanie
will insure to the fun value. We expec
To have our water system in and in readi
ness for fire by the middle Of May, bu
until that time some plan should be adopt
ed that will bridge ~ over. My pla
would be this. that the business men an
all Others who would assist. should OF
game and form fire company or buckle
brigade. If this can be accomplished
will be Of great value to all. Then, to,
It is a well-known fact that an organize
body OF twenty men can accomplish nor
than forty men unorganized and untraiH
ed. There are plenty Of men, plenty ,
buckets, and all We need is some one I
take hold and start the ball rolling" III
next call made was on a leading insuranC
man, who, on hearing the plan Of ii
merchant. said: Yes something must I
done and that quickly too. or We wi
have trouble in finding compani,
10 carry our risks. At preSei
the companies for which | a
the agent have refused no busne
except that they want the amount sma
hut they say that they will be COMPEL,
10 refuse any more business in the thick
settled part Of the town unless somcthiI
IS done toward giving them some prote
tion. The bucket brigade would be-
great assistance and in fact could accor
piish a great deal. when organized. tn
could not be done by an unframed mo
This organization too, would have an g
feet ON the insurance rates, in that
would have tendency to keep the
where they now are and unless this
done another raise in rates can be expo
ted at any time in the near future.
company is organized for the present
will be- Of great benefit when We have t
water works as the men will be train
and capable Of doing good work Tn,
must be fire company here and it "
be- some time before the city will be Ian
enough to require paid departmel
When the town is Incorporated some p
vision will be- made for a fire eompa
and those who would turn In and h
now would be the ones who will be
most favored.
Others were seen and expressed alb,
.ne same views as above aud not one n
that was taken with but who was will
not only to favor plan Of this kind
was also willing to take hold and
his part. 1t now only remains for 50
one TO start the matter and call
meeting and the hardest part Of the w
will be over.