The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-29
BOARD FOR MORE COMPLETE
PROTECTION.
BETWEEN SELBY AND MARION
THE PROPERTY IN TWO
WARDS,
BUT THERE'S A LACK OF MONEY,
Embarrassment-E Estimate Is
Laid Over Ten Days.

The matter of increased fire protec-
ton for that section of the city west
of Dale street and south Of University
avenue was discussed in an informal
way at meeting of the board Of fire
commissioners yesterday afternoon.
From the talk made by the members
of the board who were present the
placing Of additional apparatus in that
section Of the city does not seem prob
able, although it may be possible. The,
question came UP by the presentation
of petition signed by three score Of
the more prominent citizens living on
the hill. The petition sets forth the fact
that there was lack of suitable fire
protection in that section and that the
nearest steam fire engine was located
at the corner Of Selby avenue and
Mackubin street. The request was
made that the present chemical at Vic
toria street and Ashland avenue be
reinforced by a fire engine and com
plete equipment.
Chief Jackson said a steamer was
needed in the district mentioned pos
sibly more than in any other part of
the city. Alarms in that part of the civ
were responded to by the engines from
Marion streets. The run, however. was
the longest in the city, and, although
there had been no serious fires in that
sectlon, this was no criterion to go by.
Commissioner Freeman was of the
opinion that there should be an en-
CINE placed In the house at Victori.
and Ashland, but suggested that nos 81
sibly hose wagon would be able to fiji
the bill under the circumstances. Chief
jackson was of the opinion that there
was not sufficient pressure to make the
hose proposition of any particula r
value. His idea was that in getting
carts, money was wasted, as it was en-
g1neS that were needed and not hose
carts. The elevator fire Friday night
demonstrated clearly that there were
hose wagons enough inthe department
but not enough engines. Eight engines
were called to the fire, and the other
four could have been used to advan-
tage, but they had to be left at the en-
CINE houses to cover other parts of the
city. Commissioner Prendergast said
he noticed at the fire Friday night the
steamer stationed at Selby and Mac
kubin streets left the engine house and
was kept down town at one of the en-
CINE houses while the fire was in prog
ress. This left the entire chill district
without an engine available in case of
fire In that section. The finest resi-
dences in the city were on the hill and
something should be done to avoid oc-
currences Of this kind Chief Jackson
in reply, said that he did the best he
could with the number Of engines he had
and it had been the practice to move
the engines from the ioutside districts
to the center Of the icity during the
progress Of large fires. Commissioner
Prendergast explained shat he had no
fault to find with the practice, but
thought 1t proved that an engine was
needed in that part of the city repre-
sented by the petition.
1t developed during the talk that, in
the appropriation for 1897, the fire
board had estimated for an additional
engine to be placed in the Eighth ward,
north Of University avenue and west
of Gaultier street. President Freeman
said he did not see how any provision
could be made from the fire department
fund for the purchase Of an engine to
be placed in the house at Victoria and
Ashland avenue. If the board could
get the entire $215, 900, which is allowed
the department under the charter, 1t
would be easily provided. The chances
| were that the amount available for 1897
would not be more than 100000 and it
| might fall $4,000 short of this amount
AS the estimate was now made up all
Of the money likely to be secured had
| been parceled out and the question
of taking any of the money for a new
engine on the hill was not possible. He
suggested that an estimate might be
| made up of the amount necessary to
place an engine on the hill and equip
the house and the same sent to the
council together with the arguments
| tending to show that .ther thing was
necessary. This might possibly show
the council that 1t was b public need and
the money to carry on the plan could be
| Co frnr 9th
posed plan of securing money for the
new steamer Commissioners itsch said
would in his opinion, be a waste of
time, as each of the aldermen would
! oppose any action. with the exception
Of the one representing the district in
which the steamer was to be placed
The cost of a new engine, Commas
sioner Mitsch said, would be the cas-