The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-10
THE ENGINE TAKEN.
President KlOeber Advocates a
Practical Test.
THE COUNCIL IS SATISFIED.
Discussion Before Roth Houses on the
Contract for the waterous Engine
Boards Action Endorsed.

Contract for the waterous Engine
Boards Action Endorsed.
The city council met in joint convention
last night. with President Kloeber in the
chair. to scrutinize and pass upon the con
tract made by the board of public works
for the purchase Of a fire engine. There
were present Aldermen Daulton. Ingram
Jordan, Brewer, Cram. Carrie and Stocks
and Delegates Calligan, Cook, Carlisle
Crichton. Coryell. Lyon and Brace. There
were also in attendance Corporation Coun-
sci Donworth and j. w. Van BrockIin
chairman of the board of public works
The contract with the Wateroua Engine
Company, of st. Paul, for No. 4. third in
size. fire engine, was read. Its capacity is
900 gallons per minute. and the cost 81, 32j
free on cars at Seattle. It also provides
for aerial extension ladder apparatus at
$l.10O. Calling Alderman Brewer to the
chair. President Kloeber asked that Van
Brocklin be heard.
time; they were all familiar with the facts,
but Delegate Carlisle desired some in
formation.
Commissioner Van Brocklin said all the
board had to do was to pass on the bids.
Mr.. Wolfe had called his attention to the
improvements, and as Mr.. Scott, the
agent, was willing to have it tested against
the city's No. 2 engine. he thought it a
good purchase.
Alderman Daulton asked what there
was against the Ahrens engine. He was
told nothing; and he then asked whether
it would not be wise to keep to one that
had gwen satisfaction. He thought the
Ahrens firm fully up to the times in the
way Of Improvements.
Alderman Ingram objected to the propo-
sition to hear the representative Of any
other firm; they were not there to buy
engines.
Alderman Jordan thought they were
there merely to please disgruntled press.
Mr.. Van Brocklin was both. an honest
man and Republican: he wanted to
know what more was to be said on the
subject. When the engine arrives if it
does not give satisfaction they were not
bound to accept it. This reform admins.
tration ought to have discovered that it
cannot please the non-reform party. The
board of works with its knowledge and
experience was the best judge. If there
was anything wrong the board would be
to blame.
Alderman Cram moved that they APP
prove the contract, but Delegate Carlisle
said it was out of order, the board of
works having the purchasing power. The
board was not on trial, but they were the
legislative body and it was within their
province to investigate. Mr. Van Brock
lin was asked why he preferred this engine
why they accepted a bid which was not
the lowest. and the council was entitled to
an answer. Why was the board of fire
commissioners not asked to give an opin-
ion upon such an important matter
Why were they not. although present
during the proceedings, allowed to be
heard? He wanted to know why this
matter was rushed through in such a
hurry? If they cannot answer these sim
pie questions they stand confessed as not
giving proper consideration to 50 import
ant a subject.
Alderman Jordan said all the board had
to go by were photographs and statements.
They thought the Waterous was the best
what more is to be said?
DR.. Kloeber said the gentlemen seemed
not to know what they were talking
about. The prime necessity of the city is
fire engine which will draw up water by
suction and throw it over a high building.
The objection seemed to be that the opin-
ion Of the fire commissioners or the chief,
who were the officials supposed to be
charged with responsibility, had not been
asked. The Waterous is an entirely un-
known engine, and the test given will not
afford us the relief we want. If this engine
eb ;,bo g., -
than the Ahrens from q hydrant, then
We don't want il.
Mr. Ingram.-I move we do now ad.
journ.
Mr.. Van Brocklin said that at the meet
ing the board had expressly offered any per.
son five minutes to express his views in.
DR.. kloeber suggested that, as the con.
tract was not signed. a provision be put in
the contract to meet the city's require.
ments. which was the greater draft OF
water. fthis engine does no better tha an
those We have We don't want it.
DR.. Jordan said that was asking a third.
class engine to be better than a first class
engine.
DIR. Kloeber retorted that ifohe honor
able gentleman knew as much about fire
engines as he was supposed to know about
some other things in the city he wouldn't
have made such a statement. The mum.
Der of the engine was not q badge OF
quality, but Of size.
The council refused to have tho pro-
vision inserted. and DR.. Kloeber remarked
that some OF the members seemed to be op.
posed to having the only condition in the
test that would make it valuable.
The convention then adjourned.
After an Everett Burglar.