The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1894-02-09
Tla FIre Department.


we understand that there have been.
same adverse criticisms npon what We
said last week under the head Of 'sfire
We wish to state light nov
that We have nothing to take back, III
to offer and would empatlizc
what we said on that occasion.
No paper of this city has extended
more eourtesies 10 the members of the
fire department and no editor has been
more persistent in doing all in his power
both when connected with the dBtertoan
and later with the Echo in placing a
value upon the services of the volunteer
fire department Of this city.
As we said last week, are hare foar
cospHaies, trell q6ioered aud equipped and
composed Of The regy best and most athletic
goHag men Of the city" Ifany member of
the department, construed our remarks
into an adverse criticism of the fire com
panies, either one OF ALL or of any in
diyidual member, it argues poorly for
his intelligence.
What we said bfoere, we TeitcUate:-
''Tkedefects in oar system elGilepfire it Of
half its ascfAiRese eai b. Teatebled ata small
cost" In the first place. rs to a paid
chief Of the department.. We argued in
favor of this nearly four years ago when
connected with the dmerioan The Com
aReretal has on more than one occasion
pointed ont the fact that the usefulness
Of the fire department would be greatly
enhanced if a chief cou1d be selected
either by the city council OF otherwise.
About one year ago, we believe it is, we
in the Echo suggested that the different
companies should unite in the selection
of a chief Again, very many times have
we heard the same thing argued by men
who knew what they were talking about.
Our only other suggestion last week,
MAS, that a fire alarm system be esIab-
ished, which could be done at small
expense, that would enable the fire de-
partment TO determine the locality of
the fire at the time of the alarm. AS to
the value Of this suggestion, We leave it
to the sound common sense ofOur readers.
Ii is a fact too well known to need
mention that the members of the fire
companies neither ask or expect any
reward, but there are some other things
that 1t is well to call attention to- In
addition to their personal services, erery
laenbers pays dHes. As we understand
the matter, the corporation pays nothing
for expenses, further than supplying the
necessary apparatus. All the expenses
are paid by the companies. Again, the
expense of belonging to the FIRE depart
nent is not confined to quarterly dues
We know of more than one young man
who has ruined good suit Of clothes at
fire, and accidents to life and limb are
always imminent.
The members of the fire department
are certainly entitled to great credit,
and for be itfrom us to detract in any
way from the just mend Of praise which
is their due.
We again say tAattthe fire protection
of the city, including the waterwarks,
steamer, hose carts, hose, hooks ladders
etc, is far in advance Of most cities Oh
the Importance Of Lake Charles, and
should be sufficient to eutitie as to the
minimum rates Of insurance, whereas at
present VIC pay more than double the
rates charged similar sized towns in 9th
or states. Experienced underwriters
/
have said that il the additions we have
suggested are supplied, our rates will
Immediately be reduced