The herald., 1897-12-04
FIRE BONDS
Commissioners Make an
Appeal to Voters
IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDED
NEW APPARATUS AND ENGINE
HOUSES BADLY NEEDED
IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDED
Fear That the School Bonds May Carry
the Other Issue Down to Defeat.
Saving to Be Effected


concluded, have rendered almost GER
tain the defeat of the proposition to is
sue school bonds at the polls next Tues
day, the board of fire commissioners
deemed it their duty to explain the pur-
pose of the proposed issue of fire depart
ment bonds. Both propositions are to
be voted upon at the same time, although
the ballots will be separate. The COM
mission feared that the almost certain
defeat of the school bond proposition
would carry down with 1t the bonds in
which the commission and the fire de-
partment are interested. In order that
there might be no misunderstanding of
the matter, and in order that it might
be clearly shown that the two PROPOSE
tions had no connection whatever, the
board Of fire commissioners yesterday
issued the following self-eXplanatory
address to the voters of the city:
The qualified voters of the city of Los
Angeles will Tuesday next. December
Ith, decide whether or not there shall be
bond issue to the amount Of $150,000,
for the acquisition Of certain land, the
construction of buildings thereon, and
the equipping of said buildings for the
use Of the fire department of the city,
the cost Of which improvements is too
great to be paid out of the ordinary an
nual income and revenue of the city;
and we, the undersigned, as members of
the board Of fire commissioners of the
city Of Los Angeles, knowing that the
best interests of the city demand the
voting of bonds for the purpose stated
herewith make statement of the facts
so that all citizens may fully understand
the many benefits that would follow
such bond issue.
The most urgent matter is the owner
ship of all fire department houses by
the city, and the immediate purchase of
apparatus for the newly annexed dis
tricts and other unprotected territory.
There should be steam fire engine
companies with combination wagons To-
Gated in the Sixth and Seventh wards.
There should be steam fire engine
and combination wagon with ladders in
the vicinity Of Westlake park to cover
the southwestern hills.
There should bestwo engine companies
In the southwestC-n portion of the city,
say in the. vicinity of Washington and
Hoover streets and the Harper and
University tracts. So
The southeast andsVernon should be
protected By combination chemical en-
gines and hose wagons, and Pico
Heights should be likewise provided with
chemical. hose and ladder service.
hook and ladder truck is absolutely
necessary in the vicinity Of Main and
Washington streets to cover all that por-
tion of the city lying south of Pico
street.
The East Los Angeles and Boyle
Heights districts should have more ap-
paratus, and be provided with combina-
ton, chemical and hose wagons with
ladders
You will agree that at no time will it
be possible to obtain property at more
advantageous figures, and that to con-
tinue to pay rent when big saving to
the city can be effected is neither SEN
sible nor businesslike.
The city is paying out annually
$4,000 for rent of engine houses. This is
per cent on 100000. With the $3.50, ,0O)
now asked for by the department, it is
estimated that $4,000 will purchase
lands and buildings necessary for the
present and future needs of the depart
ment. and that 100000 will fully and
completely equip the houses with ap-
paratus and provide electric alarm and
all other appliances needed by an up
to-date fire depaFtmenEdls
There is more territory for tive depart
ment to cover than last year. The re-
Gently annexed districts, comprising
some nine square miles, together with
valuable building improvements in parts
Of the city heretofore requiring little
protection, makes necessary the pur-
chasing Of more fire fighting apparatus.
All property within the boundary lines
Of the city should be protected.
If the bonds are voted, there will be
improvements in addition to the houses
and increased apparatus for the present
department, as follows:
Five new houses, variously located:
one workshop inpEast Los Angeles, four
steam fire engines. nine combination
hose wagons, one hook and ladder for
west end; for relief, one steam fire en-
gine and TWO hose carriages.
1t is also proposed to improve the fire
hydrant and fire alarm systems. Double
fire hydrants should be placed on the
easterly side of Broadway, Spring, Main
and Los Angeles streets in the middle Of
blocks extending on Broadway and
Spring street from First to Seventh
street, on Main street from Commercial
to Seventh street, and on Los Angeles
street from Aliso to Second street; said
hydrants to be connected with the large
water main on the streets mentioned.
At present the hydrants on the streets
named are situated at corners and on
the westerly side of the streets, neces-
stating in case of fire the use of long
lines of hose and great obstruction to
street traffic. The district described
covers to a large extent the conflagra-
tion hazard Of the city and should have
the additional protection thus afforded
There is also need for some fifty fire
alarm boxes to properly cover the forty
| five square miles comprising the area Of
the city. There is also need of a modern
equipment for the electricians office.
1t is out Of the question to expect to
secure funds for these expenditures out
of the general tax levy and the annual
appropriation for the department fund
is barely sufficient to pay salaries and
operating expenses Of the department a.
now constituted.
! It must be borne In mind that the is
J Isuance Of these bonds win not increase