Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1891-06-18

where there exists so much concen-
trated wealth in blocks Of substantial
buildings, containing valuable stocks
Of goods.
Your taxpayers should not overlook
the fact that your volunteer fire organ
izstion is composed Of your best citi-
zens, who hazard their lives for the
common protection without remuner~
alton.
The least you cal do, then, is to pro-
vide them with suitable quarters, with
ample room for the apparatus and for
holding their stated meetings, with
accommodations for such ss can ar
range TO sleep at the department
headquarters.
You should provide for q steward,
under salary, who should have charge
of the headquarters, be on duty at all
times and see that the apparatus is
always kept in good and effective
working order.
dwell on this point particularly, as
notice that one 500 foot section of
Jour hose has been reeled up while
still wet, and unless cared for will
mildew, rot and prove its utter worth
lsssness at the fret fire, and which
may thus cause the destruction of
property Of many thousands Of dollars
in value.
The citizens comprising your vOlun-
teeT fire force can hardly be expected
after working weary hours at IRE
Ito give still further Of their time, TO
the sacrifice of their private business.
to stretch, drain, dry and reel the
hose. A steward could attend TO such
matters, and save more than the
amount of his salary each year in
keeping in order and saving the hose
and other apparatus.
While speaking Of this damp and
mildewing hose. wish to say that
find you have no convenience for
draining and drying hose. In the alb
seuce Of q hose tower, you could, at
very light expense, provide hose
washing, draining and drying rack Of
sufficient length TO accommodate
eight or ten so foot lengths OF hose
say so feet long and two or three feet
wide, and so inclined Ahat the water
would drain freely from the stretched
hose.
am informed that the city con-
:. templates the erection of public
building for municipal purposes and
more particularly for the accommcda-
ton Of our fire Departments. Such
structure is sorely need and cannot
be erected any too soon; and the city
could not more gracefully acknow-
ledge the voluntary services Of the
brave men In the department than by
seeing that their wants are fully pro-
vided for. In planning the same,
provision must be made for the pros
pective future growth of your flour
ishing and prosperous city, and the
increased facili'ies and incrta pop
ulation will demand. IN my opinion
have found other towns of about
your size which cannot support q full
paid FIRE department, but which make
provision for the compensation Of Its
enrolled volunteer fire department BY
the payment of a stated sum, say so or
rs cents per hour while in active ser
vice. either In attendance on meet
ipgs. drin or at a fire. The plan
works well, secures interest in the de
~ partment, prompt attendance and at
minimum cost. strongly urge the
=, adoption Of such . measure by youI
en- city.
A bell OF sufficient size should bs
placed in tower at the headquarters
,e. 40 that the steward could at Oncs
ef, sound the alarm, which could be aug
mented by the present system OF the
ne whistle at the pumping station.
en- Your alarm system. however, vii
eh not be complete until you INTRODUCES
an electric fire alarm.
~ No fire can be fought successfully
:. unless the fire department Is promptly
- on the spot and before the fire makes
rs beadway.
"A 40 foremen-f owever efficient
e,s can be expected to be promptly at th'
scene of danger unless they ar
BOT promptly notified Of the fire and il
eet exsct location.
p Your present system gives neithe
~ prompt notice, nor any Information q
TO locality; and much valuable time
ere and a moment at the incipiency Of
nd fire is worth hours after the flame
e, have gained headway-is lost by you
department, who have TO rely upoI
the smoke by day and tie fire b
N. night, TO locate the enemy.
on. I understand that Engineer Uil
the man. Of the Water & Light 20. na