Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1895-08-22
A PARSIMON1OUS COUNCIL.

"A FARO1MONlOOO COUNC1L.
They Refuse to Reimburse the Fire De-
partment for n Necessary S:s Cart.
The fire department is wratl,y, and
justly so, too, at the city council for it's
utterly inexcusable display Of parsimony,
il it is not worse than that, in refusing to
allow the sum of $28 for the new cart,
which the department recently had made
by Aberdeen workmen, for carrying the
Babcock fire extinguishers. With this
two men can run ahead of the big hose
carts and hook and ladder truck and often
put out fire before much damage is
done, and in store full of goods without
damaging the entire contents. The fire
department is volunteer one, and the
members put in as many hours without
pay as the councilmen do, besides running
their own clothes at fires; they are faith
full in caring for the hose and carts, for
which not cent has ever been asked,
although by such care they have saved
the city many dollars for new hose; and
then, after they have done SO much for
the city, this niggardly action Of the
council slaps them in the face, and adds
insult to injury by offering them half the
amount, which they with proper spirit
reject. The department is allowed fifty
cents for every man in attendance at a
fire, by ordinance, but even this has been
allowed in a niggardly manner, and not
a dollar of it goes to the men, but is spent
for the benefit Of the department. By
the saving of the Weatherwax mill the
department earned, from the city, the
price Of a hundred such carts, and that
one SO closely related to the mill should
refuse this pittance is indeed surprising.
We are glad to say that the action of
the council was not unanimous; those
voting to allow the amount being Gar
man, kaufman and Tanner; the nays
Gum, Kolts, Weatherwax and Young.
The mayor also was favorable to the bill.
At special meeting of the fire depart
ment Monday night the following caustic
resolutions were unanimously adopted:
To THE CRY Council OF THE Cry OF
ABERDEEN, GREETING:
At a special meeting of the Aberdeen
fire department held on the 10th day of
August, 1896, the following resolutions
were offered and unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, on the 14th day OF August,
1895, the city council of the city of Aber-
deem did refuse to pay a bill that had
been contracted by this department for
one cart to carry the fire extinguishers,
amounting to 1928, and finally compro-
missed the matter by cutting the bill in
two and allowing $14, and the only ex-
cuse offered for not allowing the bill in
full was that they did not order the work
done, but admitted that it was Just what
was needed;
AND, WHEREAS, we fully believe that
we have now, and have had for the past
five years, one of the best volunteer fire
departments in the state of Washington,
whose services we believe have been APP
preciated by the citizens Of our city, if
not at all times by our council;
AND, WHEREAS, we realize that some
of the best workers in our department are
men who have no property interests IN
our city, we fear that such discouraging
and uncalled for remarks as have been
made by some Of our city fathers will
have demoralizing effect upon this de-
partment;
AND, WHEREAS, the members Of this
department in the last five years have
such CARTS az councilmen Kolts and
1,0r To
about in the council meeting, and never
asked or received anything in return;
AND, WHEREAS. this department has
never asked the city council or the citi.
zens for anything but what was just and
right, and for the welfare and interest of
our city,-perhaps councilmen Kolts and
Weatherwax can run the fire department
on more economical basis than it has
been in the past and give better service;
if such is the case We are ready to turn
over the reins any time;
Now THEREFORE, Be IT RESOLVED, that
We greatly deplore the attitude OF the
present city council toward this fire de-
partment;
AND, Be 1T FURTHER RESOLVED, that
we promise the citizens of Aberdeen to
yield like obedience to the alarm of fire
in the future as we have in the past;
AND, Be IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the $14 be returned to the city council.
ABERDEEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THE HERALD is proud of the Aberdeen
fire department. Proud Of it's efficiency
and its faithfulness, and proud Of the way
in which it has met this parsimonious
action of the council.