The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-15
pitcher and a coat, which they carried
away. The robbery was reported to the
POLICE ALARM PROBLEM.
AIdermanic Committee Is Still
Struggling With 1t.

The aldermanic committee on police
last night took another turn at the prop
OSitiOn to secure a new alarm system for
the police department. Three months ago
bids were advertised for furnishing a new
system and the board of aldermen award
cd the contract to the Auto Electric COM
pany of New York. at t$28, 900. The as
sembly, however, refused to concur in the
action Of the board and rejected the
bids. The conference committee took the
matter up and a special committee from
that body recommended that the police
and fire alarm systems be consolidated
and a saving of about $1,000 a year made.
Electrical Inspector Varnun, who ex
amined the present system used by the
police department, reported that by using
a portion of the present apparatus and
some new the system could be placed in
first-class order for $1,000
E. B. Birge, former superintendent Of
the police alarm system, at the last meet
ing of the aldermen, submitted a PROPOSE
ton to overhaul and repair the system
and place it in good condition for ten
years for 5000 with. the proviso that
when the work was commenced and after
it was completed, he should be placed in
charge. ~--@ -+'''s 80
With these propositions before them
Aids. Bell, Donahower and Blomquist,
three Of the five members Of the police
committee, held a session last evening.
Electrical. Inspector Varnum explained
his report to- the conference committee
in detail T. E. Birge said he had
thoroughly examined the plant and was
ready to place it in good working order
and add twelve additional boxes for S3.Ot0
providing he was chosen superintendent.
lie was. ready to give bonds that the
work would be we'll done and that the
council should appoint committee to eX-
anime the plant after it was in order.
Mr.. T;irge thought the reports Of the
superintendent who had charge OF the
system since he resigned in 1895 were the
best proof that there could not be much
wrong with it. Thousands Of telephone
reports from the patrolmen and calls for
the patrol wagons were sent in over the
lines each year according to the reports
and for this reason he did not see how
the system could be in as bad condi-
ton as the present superintendent had
given the council to understand.
Supt King, at present in, charge of the
system, did not agree with the report
of the conference committee as to the
ACCESSIBILITY of consolidating the two sys-
TENS. He did not understand how this
could be done and any money saved. It
would require the same number of opera
tors and Iinemeu as at present employed
and the saving would be but trifie.
Supt Carey, of the fire alarm telegraph
system, informed the committee that i'll
two-thirds of the cities having both
fire end police alarm the systems were
under one head. The consolidation was
feasible.
Aid. Blomquist favored the proposition
of Mr. Birge If there could be any guar
antee that the system would be placed
in good condition.
The committee adjourned to meet at
the call of the chair with the under
standing that at the next meeting Aids.
Allard and Murphy. who were absent last
evening, would be present,