The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-07-12
$1.15. :
Masurie'S R. R. Paint
HARTS 1%oTz Dngs
opera House Block.
W. II, HART,
Veterinary Physician and Surgeon.
OFFICE IN STORE.
The Fire Department,

| EDITORS DEMOCRATIC PRESS: For a year OF
| two there has been a constant agitation over
the Fire Department (kept up by less than a
half dozen!persons) and directed against the
ex-Chisf, j. II. Helt. 1t has been going on
| without any public protest from Helt, but the
| statements made by certain officials at the last
Council meeting demand that some one give to
the public a true statement, which 1 will en-
| deavor to do as briefly as possible.
First-The present Chief reports he found
water in nearly every section of 700 feet of hose
and several sections in bad shape about the
couplings AS far as the water in the hose is
concerned. all that is required is to consult the
| manufacturers of rubber hose. and you will then
| know why the water was not kept out. AS for
| the hose being in poor shape:" 1t will be re.
membered that prior to Chief Helt's admins
tration, the city had been paying $50 per month
and house rent to an engineer, and 800 per
year to Chief. When Helt took charge he
found $50 feet of hose thrown to one side as
useless. Soon after his appointment he sent
two or three sections of this worn out hose to
Akron to have the couplings set back, which
cost the city So or 50 (the exact amount can be
learned by referring to the CLERKS books. He
then made the necessary tools and has since
done over five times the work in repairing the
hose. at cost to the department not to exceed
$2 and today. of that 75v feet of useless' hose
45O feet are still in use and there is not or was
not one month ago. single section that would
not stand the highest pressure that has ever
been put upon them.
Second Heretofore there had been four
nozzles. and he (the present Chief could find
but three" OF COURSE he didn't know that the
Council had ordered two to be sent with the
Steamer when sold recently.
Third" There were four Hooks with the
Ladder wagon. but he could find but one" All
the hooks that have been there since Helt's ap-
pointment. with the exception of one which
Councilman Furry had. were there when he re-
tired. The lanterns are also all there. unless
taken away within the last month.
Considerable surprise was manifested at the
rocky condition the apparatus was found to be
in.' This information is supposed to have been
furnished to the REPUBLICAN second-handed,
from the competent and experienced Chief, who
went to the only councilman known to be Bit
terly opposed to the ex-Chief. and without con
sulting the other members of the Fire Commit
tee got him to make an examination of the ap.
paratus sc.
1t may be asked why. when anything was
wanting to make the Department complete, he
has not asked for and got what was needed?
Simply because whenever he has made snch ap-
plication for supplies. particularly ladders he
has always been told that the funds were short
and they must wait until the treasury was re-
plenished.
In conclusion. let me suggest that commit.
tee of competent and disinterested persons be
appointed to make thorough investigation
and report their findings to the Council at their
regular session. within two or three months.
In the near future 1 propose to pay my re-
spects to our worthy Tor otherwise) Street Com
missioner, giving the inducements held tout to
him as reward for his treachery to one of his
best if not his best friend also his mode of re-
ducing the cost OF the fire department. at the
expense of another department.. and his reasons
for so doing. JUSTICE,