The herald., 1898-12-15
THE FIRE ENGINE BIDS
THE SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES AT
LAST SELECTED
MERITS OF THE MACHINES
Firemen Changed for the Good Of the
Service-Annual Report Nearly
Ready-Street Sweeping Kick

Although the greater part of the after
noon was spent yesterday by the fire and
water committee of the council assisted by
Fire Commissioner Kuhrts, in discussing
the merits and dement's of the bids for five
fire engines for the city department, the
matter was not settled and the question Of
deciding upon a recommendation went over
to an evening session.
At the morning session of the fire commits
sion, when notification was received by
the board that the council had referred the
consideration of bids to the commission, in
conjunction with it's own fire and water
committee, Commissioner Sabichi de-
clared himself in no uncertain language, and
as a consequence was not present at the
Joint session. Mr.. Sabichi felt sighted that
the council shrould have considered the
commission incapable of alone deciding
upon the best engines for use in the depart
ment, and said so.
In conversation after the meeting, with
reference to this matter, he said: Il do
not propose to get in where am not want
ed. l believe that the council intended to
take the consideration of those fire engine
bids away from the commission, when it
made the reference to the fire and water
committee. If the council hasn't enough
confidence in us to let us handle fire engine
house sites or fire engine bids shall keep
out of the business. Had the bids been re
ferred to our board l would have done my
full duty"
This, then, was the reason why Jake"
Kuhrts was the sole representative of the
fire commission who appeared, but he was
host in himself and by his great familiarity
with all kinds of pumping engines, ac
quired by years of experience in the fire de-
partment, was able to give the other men,
bers some pointers and good advice.
Two o'clock had been set as the hour for
convening, but it was some time later when
all interested finally got together. OF the
fire and water committee there were pres
ent Messrs. Blanchard and Hutchison, Nick
ell being absent. Councilmen Grider, Math
uss and Ashman were also interested list
eners. Chief Moore attended to give his
advice and keep in order the throng Of
agents for the rival machines. OF the lat
ter there were H. H. Wefel, j. r. Chapman
and "Jim' Hellman, who were more or less
interested in American Engine Co. of SEN
eca Falls, New York. Messrs. La France
and King, who looked after the interests of
the La france engine, ana NlaJ. w. ". fur-
rey, who had a tale to tell of the good points
OF the Amoskeag machine.
1t was decided that as the board had had
the points of the American and La France
engines explained to them in extenso at
previous sessions, there was no need to
cover the ground again, and Maj. Furrey
was given an opportunity to tell of the SUI
periority of his engine. This he did in few
words and retired. The whole bunch of
agents then were ushered in and told that
the board had all the information it de-
sired; all that remained was to reach de-
cision and that could be done without fur
ther assistance from them. With this cor
dial invitation to get out the agents left
and the members talked over the situation
at some length, being materially assisted by
the technical knowledge of Mr.. Kuhrts.
No decision was arrived at however, until
q private executive session was held last
evening, when the board decided on two
engines of the first class and one of the third
class from the American Engine Co. and
two of the second class from La France En-
cine Co.