The Mena weekly star., 1897-03-31
BETTER FIRE PROTECTION.
TtiE RAILROAD COMPANY MAKES
 A SUGGESTION.
The Business Men Consulted and all are Enthusiastic Over tho Scheme. V What
 They Say.

ews and his first assistant. II. j.. Simons, were in Mena last week they made suggestion of no little import anee to this city,and oue that when def inately outlined and presented should oe favorably considered and acted upon at tho earliest practical moment. The suggestion, as briefly outlined to a representative of the star was one looking to furnishing the business portion of the town a system of water works sufficient for use and to furnish protection from fires.
 It is well know that the railway company have very abundat supply of water in their reservoir, fed by large and never failing springs and the suggestion made was that with sufficient encouragement from the city the company would place large fire pressure pump and engine at the res ervoir, run six inch cast iron mains up Sherwood avenue and out De Queen and Mena streets, with fire hydrants at convenient points so that with good supply of hose the fire department could reach buildings as far away from Sherwood avenue as the Hotel Mena.
 It is known that the company has valuable properties on and along the streets named and consequently it be- comes matter of mutual benefit and protection to have some system put in as soon as possible, and the business interests of Mena have now assumed |such proportions that it will most heartily second an enterprise and give all the aid the city is able to give toward it.
 There aye now whole blocks of buildings so constructed that should q fire break out they would be entirely destroyed, while with snch protection as proposed fire could be easily sup pressed.
 If it is found necessary the company wlll enlarge the reservoir and erect a stand pipe and thereby be enabled to supply customers and extend the sys- tenn We do not understand that any exclusive franchise will be asked but the right to lay mains and pipes in the streets must be granted, also such aid as the city can afford.
 This is the most important matter that has yet been presented to our peope-one that is of vital interest to every business man and property owner and to the city at large, and one that should be given every enconr- agement possible at the earliest prac- tibal moment.
 A nasty canvass of some of our busi- ness men regarding this project elicited the following responses:
 J. II Hamilton: I think it a good plan. We need fire protection and plenty of good water for the business portion of town.
 ". F. Bloebsom: It is an excellent scheme.
 c. P sneed: think it n good thing for the town.
 J. " Carey: think the town ought to have such protection.
 N. M Roach favor having tho city consider such proposition, when made by the company, favorably.
 J. B. HicEman: If there is not too many strings tied to the proposition so as 10 interfere with our securing a complete water works system in the future it is good thing.
 Dr. Gibbs: I heartily endorse the plan. It will be good for the city an help bring people here IS they need to see something in this line to protect property and health.
 R. AL Couusil A good plan and should be taken advantage of at once.
 Dr. P. Bellchambers: It's the only thing. The company has prperty here and if they undertake to put in water works It will be done and without delay.
 II. NJ, Coyle: It is the only way to get water The company will do it right because they are interested.
 E. M. Green It's good thing and nothing to be lost if they would put in regulation mains so when a company or the city can putin better system