The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-11-15
The Truck Wanted by the .*rs
Commissioners
QUITE A HEATED DEBATE
Commissioner Kuhrts Offers to Back
His Opinion With Money
The Biehn Representatives Offer 10
Bring Out Their Apparatus on
Trial-City Hall News.

The fire commissioners met yesterday
morning in the majors office and decided
to recommend to the council the pur-
chase Of a first-class full truss Babcock
aerial hook and ladder truck, with
complete modern equipment, at cost vi
$4167. When bids were advertised for
some weeks ago three proposals were
submitted-the Babcock, at $4167. the
Hayes at $4,000 and the Biehn at $2s17.
When the bids were opened and con-
sidered before the board the Hayes
proposal was considered as too indef-
mite to be considered, and the contest
narrowed down to the Babcock and
Biehn. The Babcock people had
beautifully finished model on exhioi-
ton, and the commissioners seemed o
favor their truck. Notwithstanding the
price was SO much greater than the
Biehn. Mr.. King, of Hawley, King &
Co., representing the Biehn, asked that
final action be deferred until he could
have the manufacturers send out
model, and this was agreed to by the
board. The model arrived in due time,
but meanwhile the mayor and Commits
sioner Kuhrts and Chief Moore made
trip to Stockton to inspect Babcock
truck at that place. returning over a
business at the last meeting the truck
matter went over until yesterday.
When the commissioners met yester-
day Mr.. King, with Mr.. Booth, ma
chinery expert, was on hand. The two
models also prominently displayed
on the table. Mr.. King introduced
Mr.. Booth, who stated that he was
personally acquainted with the inventor
and maker of the Biehn truck, that he
was in every way responsible, and that
what he said could be relied upon.
Mr.: King then stated that he was pre-
pared to show that while his apparatus
was $3.50 cheaper than the Babcock, 1t
was better truck He also called at
tention to telegram which he had re-
ceived from the chief of the fire depart
ment of Lansing, Mich, saying that
they had Biehn truck in that city, and
that 1t was giving satisfaction, and was
fully as good as the Babcock.
Commissioner Kuhrts insisted that
Mr. Kings statement was incorrect;
that the truck referred to was an old
fashioned Willetts truck. He said
that he had investigated the matter,
and knew whereof he spoke.
Mr., King stood his ground and pro-
that he was prepared to have one of his
trucks sent out to Los Angeles, and If.
on trial, 1t was found to be unsatisfac-
tory the city was under no obligations
to keep 1t.
Mr. King thought that he should be
given an opportunity to demonstrate the
truth Of his statements, when Mr.
kuhrts excitedly offered to bet him any
amount he wished that the Lansing
truck was not an aerial truck, and that
there was not single truck of his man.
ufacture in the United States.
Mr. King stood his ground, however,
and asked that the matter be postponed
he to- ft1k I,@< %N1
egraph and get an authoritative reply.
There was more talk, and after fur
Their examination of the models the Bah
cock was adopted by a unanimous vote.
Mayor RAIDER excused himself from vot-
ing, saying that as it was unanimous
this was not necessary
Mr. King was evidently surprised at
the vote, and it is said that he will con-
tinue the fight before the council. as, in
view of his guarantee, he does not think
that he was fairly treated, and that his
lower bid should have been considered
REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE.
A new complication has arisen in the
case of Callman Sam Hall Of the fire
department, who rendered his resigna-
ton on Thursday. Hall. it will be re-
membered, was before the commission
ers on Wednesday to answer charges
preferred by woman claiming to be
his wife, to the effect that he would not
support her. Hall denied that he was
married to the woman, and claimed that
she was prosecuting him. On this state
ment the charges were dismissed, but
Hall was warned that If he came before
the commissioners again his name
would be dropped. Subsequently the
woman calling herself Mrs Hall went
to Assistant Chief Smith and reiterated
the claim that she was not only married
to H, II, but that she had furnished him
n q ny1a
casion had purchased him clothing. She
said that she had examined the records
at the courthouse and while she could
not find where any license had been is.
sued to a man named Hall about the
time that she was married, she did find
that license had been issued to a man
named Best and Annie b. Wood. which
was her maiden name. All of the cir
cumstances fitted in, and she thought
that Hall had taken out the license I'M
der an assumed name, and that she had
been victimized. On the publication of
these facts Hall rendered his resigna-
ton, thinking that he would be dropped
at the next meeting of the commission
ers.
Yesterday, however, Hall called at
Commissioner Vetter's office with man
whom he introduced as Best, and who
had taken out a license and married an
estimable young lady at the time the
license was issued. Mr.. Best thorough
ly identified himself. proving to the sat
isfaction of Mr.. Vetter hiatt he was the
party named in the license. Both him
self and his wife were greatly annoyed
at the unpleasant notoriety that had
been thrust upon them. and he will
make an investigation. If the facts are
as stated by the woman who says that
she married Hall in April last, and that
her name was Annie B. Wood, it is GER
tainly a remarkable coincidence.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The finance committee of the council
met yesterday and adopted the follow
ing recommendations for submission to
the council on Monday:
In the matter of petition No. 9S6 from
r. D. Seward. asking rebate Of the sum
Of $3.50 on account Of taxes paid on per-
no such property existed at the time of
having reported to this committee that
ton are correct. we recommend that the
of proper demand drawn upon the tax
turned to the petitioner.
In the matter of petition No. 9S7 from
j. X. Murphy, asking return to him Of
on personal property for the year 1896
81, when no such property existed at the
time of making the assessment, the city
assessor having reported to this COM
mittee that the statements therein con-
tanned are correct, we recommend that
the petition be granted and that upon
nf