Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-01-12
ALDERMAN III. MAYER'S PLAN.

Editor Republican: | have for some
time thought that the changed condition
OF our city on account OF the introduce
ton OF WaterWOrks, demands a radical
change ID our present fire department,
and the two most important cOnSIdera-
lions are-hrst, the necessary additional
money outlay, and second, greater
efficiency.
The present annual expense to the
city for the fire department and the
several offices to be effected by the pro-
posed change, are as follows:
Phoenix Fire company ...... S 200
Joseph Jantzen, hauling hose cart -. 300
u. w. Evans, hauling hook and ladder
Ianifor eitI, hall 2oo
Janltor Phoenix tire engine house,. $50
Chief of police. -. .......... 500
Three, .nfghtwatchmen and one day wv
Paid annually to fire department from
insurance companies 2 per cent on
gross receipts approximately. 800
City PAID Tor team hire from May 4,
1897, to December, 1897, approx
imately) -. -. 80. ........ -. e75
Total NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Isl, S35
The latter sum, however, $3.50 is out
Of the several ward funds Thus the
total sum would approximate 81, 1886.
propose that the present system of
the ire department, night watch and
paid fire department created, to con-
sist first, at from twelve to sixteen men
to be paid by the hour whenever called
out for active service, and to be ap-
pointed and subject to removal as other
city appOlntees.
Second, that the paid fire department
proper shall consist of eleven men, to be
similarly appointed and be subject to
removal and who are to be examined as
to fitness and qualifications before ap-
polntment, and to be paid as the present
night Watchmen and day police, their
duties to be threefold: First, they
shall constitute the fire department.
proper, and as such shall haye charge of
the several engine houses, fire engines
and hose carts, the city hall and all
personal property belonging to the city,
and as such shall be subject to the
order of their chief Ito be designated).
Second, they shall perform all night
watch and police duties under the di-
rection of the chief of police, for which
purpose they shall perform night watch
and police duties by reliefs, say every
three weeks.
Third, they shall in addition perform
service, when off duty as night watch
or police, and do such work for the city
and shall drive and take charge of such
teams as the city may hereafter own,
and perform such other work as may
be required of them by the proper
authorities.
1t is estimated that the salary of these
eleven men would approximate annually
1850.
1t is further proposed that the city
purchase three teams and three Sprink-
ling wagons, and that the street sprink-
ling be done under the plan adopted by
the city council in July last, and it is
estimated that the city would collect
from this source So, 700.
1t is estimated that the three teams
and sprinkling wagons would not cost
less than $1,000
It is further submitted, that as those
teams are to be driven by men paid by
the year that the greater part if
not all of our street work could be done
during such times when it would not be
necessary to sprinkle streets, and could
easily earn, in addition to their feed and
keeping annually the sum of $500.
The city has the stable room, owns
valuable machinery for street work, and
streets. With 40 hydrants placed over
large area, III DoCOmoS uoCOoooiy LIZ
perfect protection TO have fire depart
ment intimately acquainted with all the
details of our system, and it appears to
me that a radical change is required.
1t is but a short time until the city
council will have to fix the salaries for
officers to be appointed and elected, and
it is for that reason that this crude plan
is published, in order that it may be
discussed by our taxpayers and per-
fected by those who are older and better
qualified, and at best it is but pro-
posed outline. For the above reasons
/ request that you publish the above in
YOUR highly valued columns.
Henry G. Mayer,
Alderman of the Fifth Ward.
Watertown, Wis, January 10, 1898.