Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-10-14

Editors of The RenRebee journal:
Ina communication published in your
paper Feb. 23d. 1888. entitled "a Chspter
on City Improvements" over my Signature,
l txprt ssed myself SIS follows;
Now in justice to ourselves as pro-
gtessive city, there should be made by the
city several important improvements snd
this year is the time 10 do il. One OF the
most imperative importance is fire alarm
tells graph system, with, say twenty alarm
stations ard the Necessary central station !;
then the Gre department, when an alaI m was
sounded, would instantly know W 1t section
to run to the only guiding kno Sledge they
now have ia somebody's wild guesses or the
smoke Of the burning building, ard it ffe-
ouently happen that the fire has not at
t.ined sufficient heldwsy to serve the pur-
pose Of an aerial tele grsph. Notw;thstsnd
irg the sbsence Of this modern appliance
the boys get there sill the same, but With
our present admirable water works sys-
t. m, and such q we'll organized fire deps' t.
ment, there rever again need be fire of
any magnitude if directed BY such s, stem
The fact is that the city. cannot oiford to
be without it
Ia an address at the annual meeting Of
the Augusta Board Of Trade, March 18th,
1891, [ sgain referred to this important
mater as follows: There are some i'm
provements Of considerable value to all
citizens that should be adopted By the CT
authorities without further delay the one
of most i'm portauce is fire alarm telegraph
system. We have everything necessary
for protection sgsinst fire except that.
81 c. the recent agitation OF the fire
alarm telegraph sut 4ct, have Understood
that it has been SAID the Board Of Trade
ought to take hold Of it and have a meet
ing for that sole purpose. That would he
of 90 use. The Board Of Trade does rot
have any control ever the city govern ment.
neihir is its advice asked or its suggestions
considered, notv outstanding the fact tbst
lhe Augusta Board Of Trade is an orgsniz-
alton of representative business mer, ve,y
much in earnest for the welfare Of the CT y
of Augusta.
Now my communication of Feb. 23rd,
1883 was an uno fficisl one from the Boar
IT Trade, written by me at the request I
the late Mr.. +. C Allen, then president
of the Board of Trade, who missed 70
opportunity when present at TIE mouth y
meetings to express himself strongly in
favor Of this 81 stem being adoped ty the
city without delay. But the city govern
ment entirely ignored he modest Sishes OF
Mr.. Allen in the matter. They were per-
fec ly willing to stand back and see
him mske Augusta prosperous
snd growing city, ard glad to see
/ i'm contribute 80 largely to the funds in
the city treasury. Mr.. Allen was somewhst
sverse to personal local publicity, but 20
msn conie mporsp eous with him was more
thoroughly public spirited than was he.
The foregoing is somewhat in refusation
Of the state ments that the board was in
active in this matter, but in greater degree
to try and impress the city govern ment with
the VI questionable fact that The tax payers
of this city demand FIRE alarm telegraph
in this city before snow flies.
IRA ii. RANDALL.
October 10, 1891.