The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-04
The Patrol and Ambulance Wagon.

The Patrol and Ambulance Wagon.
EDS. RECORD UNION: 1 observe with
great regret that in the Trustees meeting
Mayor Steinman advocated the return to
the old system of using express wagons
for police and ambulance duty.
There is certainly some misapprehen
sion here. We all remember the COM
plant Of the inhuman and brutal system
of conveyance which the new wagon sup
planted, and if L recall things Alright, one
complaint was the enormous cost OF the
"piece'' or job system; but that was
nothing to its cruelty, which was so great
that the women OF the town protested,
and once started out to raise money to
stop it by buying an ambulance.
OF course, under the old system the
money was divided among wagon
drivers, but it was by everybody con-
demned. Now, do we want to return to
the cruel old practice in carrying the in
iured, the sick, the wounded and prison.
ers?
Do we not all remember the indigna-
ton the old method caused, and can we
think it was without reason? DO we not
remember what cry OF shame went up
every time a person was injured and
conveyed to the Receiving Hospital over
the rough and cobbled streets, ratified
and banged SO as almost to separate body
and soul every time the wheels met a
protruding cobble or chuck hole i'll the
streets?
Don't we all remember the great delays
that always took place in conveying the
injured to the hospital? Don't we Ie-
member how the injured have had to lie
in the burning sun or i'll the drenchlng
rain until a vehicle could be secured, and
how sometimes the rough carriage i'm
| ished them? Do we not remember in
stance upon instance when the city has
had to pay for damaged hacks and car
riages, owing to fighting prisoners or the
bleeding Of the wounded? Ii | remem-
Der correctly, and l ain very sure am
| right, that patrol wagon was purposely
| to effect more humane carriage OF pris-
oners and the sick and to expedite police
| work and thus save expense. The wagon
was built and paid for 10 save the city
cost, and it has proved its usefulness by
rapid conveyance of police where wanted
especially at late hours, and by carrying
! the injured as well as prisoners.
This wagon is an ambulance and Is
| fitted with an adjustable slretcher OIL
| hanging springs to convey the sick ano
injured without jar, and none of the
| hacks, wagons, etc, that can be found II
California are so prepared. Let me say
also, that Sacramento has the cheapes
patrol service, as L figure it, on earth
The city provides the wagon, and Specla
| Greer finds horse, harness, stable rent
care, and pays for repairS-all for suct
sums as he may make by carrying per
Sons for fifty cents per head and the
great city of Sacramento only lays GU
therefore from S15 to $50 per month, but i
it is $50 it is cheap. Special Greer be
ing an officer, and on duty day and night
gives the city another officer on the fore,
| ready at any moment for special duty
On thing more: Ii we go back to tn,
old plan what is to be done if 81 ambu
lance or police wagon is wanted at 3:45 a
NJ. in distant part of the city tc conve,
one to jail, or hospital, or an officer t.
quell disturbance? l remember only
the other day when the ambulance wen
to fire, and was just i'll time to convey
badly burned woman to the hospital q
topmost speed, but with perfect ease t.
the poor suffering mortal.
Now, we all know that the WOUNDED
and sick are greatly injured if conveyed
in a sitting posture, as in hack, anC
worse still, on the bare boards of an ex
press wagon. They must be carried in
recumbent position and with the least ia
possible, and without exposure to th
SUMS rays or the winter rains. No, lie
there be no more thought of abandoning
the patrol and ambulance wagon. Mayo
Steinman is cutting close and that
right, but there is such thing as goin
too deep even on economy.
4 FRIEND OF HUMANITY.