The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-13
More Money Wanted
for Fire System.
THE OLD STEAMER,
Spencer Engineers Deem 1t
Wise to Make Repairs.

Spencer, Feb. 12.-Now that town
meeting is fast approaching, the needs
and wants of Spencer citizens are fast
coming to the front.
AS has been before stated, the town
officers are to receive a severe shaking
up. Aside from this, the fire service
is also set down as a department which
needs thorough revision.
The fire engineers think that in Or
der to have a fire service which can
supply the needs of town as large as
Spencer, more money must be appro-
priated for this purpose
One of the largest items of expense
that are being considered by the engi-
neers is that Of repairing the old
steamer. The old steamer is a good
engine, and in 1888 was overhauled and
put in order to last 20 years The big
fire in 1893, however, demonstrated that
the engine was of too small a capacity.
and was consequently put away, and a
new one purchased. The engineers
nave recently had the old steamer
thoroughly examined by experts who
claim that if the machine is. to be safe
ana useful, 1t must have a new boiler
The experts claim that this repairing
can pc done at an expense not exceed
ing S4o0 The plans now are to ask
Tor TINS appropriation in April which
those interested feel confident can be
raised The object of repairing the old
steamer is to save the wear and tear
on the new one, which it receives In
attending fires outside the village. The
engineers claim that the new steamer
should not be allowed to attend a fire
OUTSIDE the hydrant limits. Spencer
WIRE mills excepted. The old engine
is ABOUT 1000 pounds lighter than the
new La France steamer, and conse-
quently can be handled over the bscl,
roads much easier and quicker Tben
Inere is the water throwing capacity
me ola steamer can under right con
ultions, pump $50 gallons of water upon
Hre IN minute, while the new one
can throw nearly three times as m,Ich
IN the same time.
rev indeed are the wells in the outlv-
ing olstrlcts that would supply the
ldtIef win water more than a minute,
ana put few fires consuming farm nron,
erty can be quenched in that time VIII
mat amount of water For this reason
the engineers believe it wiser to keen
tne old steamer, to use for all fires ont
siu@ tne centre of the town and keen
the new one in the village where there
Is petter water supply and less dis
lance to haul the heavy machine.
Inc engineers are also much in favor
toward the plan of transferring the ex-
tlngulsher company to the Cherry
street engine house and allowing ono
OF the hose companies to be moved in
10 the extinguisher quarters at the
engine house in the rear of the town
nan on Main street. This plan would
undoubtedly promote the efficiency of
the department and ensure a quicker
response from hose men than is posi-
pie When both hose companies are
opllged to run UP hill, as is now the
case when fire breaks out in the
northern part of the town. OF all the
weaknesses in the present fire system
by lar the greatest is the furnishing
OF horses to haul the fire apparatus
Thls part of the service is unsatis-
factory to both engineers and tax paw
ers. Both are anxious for some plan
TO be devised which will insure a quick
er response when the call is rung for
horses.
1t seems today that the Worcester
and Suburban electric railroad is not
the only road in the state that can come
in for it's share of call downs for beinO
late, as Spencer aggregat ton seems
TO think this afternoon that the Provi-
dence and Worcester railroad is in
about the same class This aggregation
composes the members of the Phoenix
Specially Company, composed of
Messrs. Martin Ratigan, Eddie Good
ness. w ]. Ratigan and Edward M.
Kelly
The Phoenix boys after making a big
hit at Whitinsville last evening left
that town in the highest of spirits on
the Providence steam railroad for Wor-
cester.
Iheir train was due in Worcester five
minutes after eleven, just five minutes
after the last Worcester and Suburban
car was due to leave Worcester. The
boys thought by leaving their train at
south Worcester, however, they would
be able to catch their car all right, AS
luck would have it the train on the
providence line was just late enough
for them to miss the IL O'clock car. and
Forced them to either remain in Wor
cester all night, or take the next car
for Leicester, where they must either
put up or walk home. So they decided
to get as near home as possible and
boarded the car for Leicester.
At Cherry Valley. Messrs. w. J. Rat
igan and Kelly left their friends and
stayed with Mr.. Kelly's mother in
Cherry Valley. Messr5. Martin Rati
gan and Goodness continued their trim
and did not leave the car until thew
reached the Leicester Hotel, where
they stayed for the night The last
two gentlemen boarded the first cleo
trio toward Spencer this morning, and
arrived in town at 40 o'clock. while
the two former were sidetracked i'm
Cherry Valley and lid not arrive home
until this Afternoon. The troupe con-
slider that they made a big enough
hit in Whitinsville nevertheless. to paw
them for all their trouble.
The attendance at the different
churches today was small. Rev, DR..
Mix of Worcester supplied the pulpit
at the First Congregational Church.
Rev. Mr. Terry of the New York con-
ference preached at the Methodist. Rev.
f. e. Heath at the Baptist, and Rev.
E. c. Downey at the Universalst.
Rev. G. H. Dolan performed his usual