Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-20

Eighth and Ninth Wards Want
No. 8 Engine Restored
But The REQUEST is REFUSED
The East Side Needs the Engine and
Engines No. and No. 6 Can Re-
spond 70 West Side Alarms.

OF ponce ana ure comm sslOners Wnen
tue meeting of the board was called
10 order yesterday afternoon. They
were not there to be examined for posi-
tons on the police force, but were
gathered 20 make substantial and
effective kick because their wards are
not at present supplied with FIRE
engine. Mayor Stuart headed the del
egation which consisted OF X. w. Mer-
rll, I. b. Wallin, Jacob Moore, Jam es
Hunt, George Arnott, II. Hartman, +.
J. Hartman, w. y. Days, Lewis T.
Wilmarth and others. The mayor said
ne had promised the citizens To be
present and listen TO their side of the
case and To what the board had 10 say
about the matter.
Mr.. Moore presented the west side
view of the case. He said they had
been before the board before aud that
the present gathering was duplicating
the old story. He related now the
engine mad been taken from the west
side two or three years ago and told
the circumstances of the former
protest. The engine was brought back
ana they felt secure, but since the last
two or three fires they had discovered
that they were without an engine
again. Mr.. Moore said there was PROB
ably no other ward in the city that had
so much extra hazardous property.
1t Is scattered. there is less police pro-
lection, and more tramps. Two exam
pies had been reported in week when
tramps had set fire to property. He
had been Informed that watchmen
have surrendered their jobs because
they were unable 20 cope with the
tramps and hoodlums, and did not
want to be held responsible.
Saved the Factory
He told about how Stowe & Davis
factory had been saved about two years
ago, simply through the quick response
made by engine No. 8. He felt that
the ward is beng Disseminated against
and asked that the engine be returned
for keeps. Mr.. Moon said that he had
been informed that the insurance COM
panles had declared that unless there
was change in the fire service there
was gong to be a new deal on the west
side.
F. b. Wallin said that he had con-
structed fire dock and kept the river
in that vicinity clear summer and win
ter, but 1t was no use if the only in
strument that could be used there was
taken away. Fire Marshal Lemon
said if engine No. should be taken
back large portion of the city would
be left unprotected. no pressure being
available on account of the great
height. The engine mad been temper
arllv located on that line TO secure pro-
lection and engine No. was ordered
TO respond to the calls from the eighth
and ninth wards.
X. W. Merrill of the Phoenix Furni-
ture company said the hydrant pres
sure was unavailable for high build
Ings anu the engines must be depended
upon.
Commissioner Whitney said the board
had the entire Interests of the city at
heart. He said the eighth ward engine
had been taken upon the hill because
that locality mad no protection what
ever. That an engine could be drawn
down hill out with difficulty up hill.
The new engine mad been ordered, and
the eighth ward engine would be re-
stored as soon as the new engine came.
He thought the residents of the eighth
and ninth wards ought to have con-
| fidence enough in the board to know
that IL would not unnecessarily jeop-
| araize the interests of any portion of
the city. Mr.. Moon questioned infali-
bility out of the board or in. He
wanted TO know when the new engine
would come and was informed that it
was due October /.
Rather HIS House Would Burn.
Mr.. DAVIS then thought he would
sooner nave his house without fire pro-
| lection than to have his factory unpro-
tected. He also mildly protested
| against the onslaughts of tramps
| against the ninth ward, and asked that
| his night-watchmen be clothed with
| police powers.
Mr.. Whitney recognized the right of
| the eighth ward to kick, but thought
| the board had considered all the inter-
ests of the city.
1t took President Leitelt ten minutes
! 10 get the board TO order after the
meeting adjourned.
Fire Marshal LEMON reported the
| circumstances of No. SIS hose cart go
ing into the sewer at Thursday nights
| fire, and also the service at the Hart
1 lHhuu UIt. iiS rtiu klb utpsItilltut
| could not have saved the books and
| patterns of the Hartmann factory with
| out sacrificing the other two buildings.
The board decided that 1T would be
| folly TO leave a large residence portion
Of the city absolutely unprotected TO
| furnish an engine To a district that al
ready has two engines, No. 3 and No.
| 8, 20 respond TO It's calls.
superintendent Eastman reported
| tho assault on John =. Finegan and
| the details of arrest and subsequent re-
lease of the supposed Mr.. Wilson at
Detroit. lie reported that ne had
heard from, other cities aud believed
they had ciew 20 Mr.. Wilson's where
ahOuts. The HOugh case. IN which a
little girl was found being used for pur-
poses of prostitution, was reported and
more arrests will be made.
| superintendent clearinghouse recon-
| mended the location of fire alarm
boxes at the corner Of Taylor aud Cold
| brook streets and Ninth amt Mt.sxegon
streets. and that the box the corner
/ of seventh and Davis reefs he re-
moved to the corner of sixth and Davis
| streets.
| Alderman Emmer's Resolution.
! Alderman Emmer's resolution reia-
| I've 81 the speed OF street cars was re-
! feTred t0 the committee on resolutions
and the superintendent 0f police.
| The reward of $50 Tor the capture OF
| Bert Aiken was gwen t. the relief