The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-01

ton for him TO ask me. don't You think
We are not doing that kind of business. eh
pardf' and Mr.. Thompson smiled Mt the
representative of the Callah2n company.
who stood near and had heard the CONVEX
satlon.
well, we amt in it," again exclaimed
Mr.. Thompson. w don't stand q little
bit OF "a show. There's a favorite hose, and
it's going to get there with both feet: Seef"
What is the favorite hosei' MIR. Ihomp-
con was asked.
Cant cay: developments will show. how
ever was his reply.
Il was surprised" said another agent,
who had not before AIKEN any part In the
conversation. that the board allowed Fire
Chief Webster TO be present while We were
making our talks. fail 10 see any reason
for his presence ct that time"
From the above expressions it can be
seen that all is not serene among the hose
agents, and if anything occurs TO stir
mp this discomfort there is every
probability that lively developments
will result. Most of the hose agents arc
at least they so state. Under these circum-
stances the most Insignificant cloud is
liable to become o sQuail of no mean di-
mansions. And for such n state of affairs
there is a precedent In this city. There
have been more squabbles over the pur-
chase of fire-hose than any other one thing.
1t has produced wrangles in the Common
Council. statesmen have been accused Of
being bought and investigating committees
have been appointed to uncover supposed
crookedEess in fire-hose deals. If some
thing OF a startling nature does not occur
In q day or SO lt VIII aesuredly mean that
an old established rule has been snapped
asunder.
1t is not so hard to arrive at the lowest
bid on fire engines. From all appearances
the bid of the Silsby Manufacturing Com
pany. of Seneca Falls. n. u, is the lowest,
but whether OF not il is the best is q Ques-
ton TO be determined later.
WONDERFUL FINANCIERING.
1t will be remembered that when Chief
Webster asked for an appropriation for
fire department apparatus he asked for
$4,000. The ways and means commit
tee and q special committee of the Council.
together with Controller Woollen, cut the
amount down to S33. 500. and the money
was appropriated. The question now arises,
Why did Controller Woollen borrow so
much money for this purpose at SO early
q date and for so long a tlmel The city has
been paying interest on S33. 500 for q month
already, and will continue TO pay 1t
for eighteen months. 10 purchase three
new engines and have No. 2 rebuilt will
cost the city not TO exceed ST., 000; the
amount of hose asked for, 1000 feet, at an
average price say so cents a foot, will cost
the city $1,000 total of $4,000. Deduct
ing this amount from the mount of the
appropriation, S33.5O0. and there Is left
SIS. 900. : The only things asked for by
Chief Webster beside three new engines
and 1900 feet of hose, were two or three
hose wagons and some new horses. What
Is to be done with the SIS. 900, and why
should the people be compelled to pay in
terest on that amount for months be-
fore it is needed The fact is
that of the entire appropriation of 1913, 500
the only amour that can be used for some
time is what will be spent for hose, a mat
ter of 5000. as no company can furnish
f~ire-engines short of three months from the
seen that an appropriation of $40. 900 would
have been ample to purchase all the ap-
paratus, horses, etc, needed for the tire de-
partment. yet this economical business ad-
ministration and that Incompatible finan-
cier, Controller WOollen, have appropriated
Sl3, 500 more money than is needed for a GER
tain purpose. INT have been paying and
will continue to pay for eighteen months
interest on the amount of the temporary
loans, when 1t could have been avoided
with common. ordinary. average hnancier-
ing ability.
~well-known gentleman engaged in the
insurance business In this city said. yester-
day afternoon, to o Journal reporter:
MARK my words. When everything is said
and done In the awarding of the hose con-
up with the contract. Nothing but Eureka
hose has ever been used by the fire depart
ment of this city. There is a man here no
ls always on HAND when fire-hose ia to be
purchased who has q pull He works for
the Eureka hose, and always gets there.
He not only gets o per cent. or all the
Eureka hose furnished to the fire depart
ment of this city. but on all that is sold in
the State. Mark we'll what i have said"
The Board of Safety will hear what the
agents OF the engine COMPANIES have to say
to-day. 1t Will probably be some days be-
fore contracts are awarded.