The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-12
THURSDAY, DECEMBER II, 1901.
THE N, 0. p. SMElTfR FIRE.

The statement printed in a Boston
paper alleging that the Butte & Boston
fire department displayed Indifference in
fighting the fire which occurred on April
20 last in the NJ. o. P. smelter. has
aroused the Indignation of the entire
community The Boston papers other
statement that the Butte Water company
Superintendent was we'll aware of an in
sufficient water pressure at the time and
did nothing to remedy the trouble is
equally infamous and as generally re-
pudiated.
AS to the first statement, Supt. John
Gilie of the Butte & Boston company
has something to say very much to the
point in this issue of the Inter Mountain.
The facts are that but for his orders
and the efforts of his gallant men the
NJ Q. P. fire would have caused more
damage than it did. The NJ. o. P. en-
ployes, who rendered equally effective
service. are we'll aware of the value of
the aid they received. Any suggestion
intended to reflect on the Butte & Bos-
ton company in this matter is in reality
reflection on its employees, for there
was no time for the company to be in
formed of the fire. The moment the
alarm was given the Butte & Boston
brigade was under Roadway, bent on
saving every dollars worth of property
possible. regardless of it's ownership
and every other consideration. Every
miner on the HILL every man in the M.
O. P. and Butte & Boston smelters,
every business man in Butte knows the
facts. ana they reflect equal credit on
the firemen of the two companies, who
stood shoulder to shoulder in the work
of eXtingushing the flames. In recogni-
ton of the Butte & Bostons services
the NJ. o. P. company sent the fire
brigade of that company a handsome
testimonial of gratitude.
AS to the statement concerning the
water pressure the interview with Su-
perintendent Carroll of the water COM
any was sufficiently convincing. We
quote it once more:
The Montana Ore Purchasing company
put in its own water pipe system, using
four-inch mains. We advised larger
mains and repeatedly warned the Mon
tana Ore Purchasing company that in
the event of fire they would have trou-
BILE from insufficient pressure. The fire
occurred on April 10. The Montana Ore
Purchasing company turned on eight
streams, having a pressure of from IS
to IS pounds, as the records Of it's own
meter will prove. The entire Boston &
Montana fire brigade rushed to the as
sistance of the. Montana Ore Purchasing
company and turned on two more
streams. Every man who witnessed the
fire and saw the splendid work of both
the Montana Ore Purchasing and Bos-
ton & Montana brigades will testify that,
through the assistance rendered, the fire
was confined to the place where it orig
mated. and the smelter saved from total
destruction. Had the Montana Ore Pur-
chasing company put in mains of the size
advised by the water company there
would have been no need of outside aid,
but the facts are too plain as matter
of record to be disputed, and the people
of Butte We're unanimous in praising the
splendid and effective work of the fire
men of both companies. That is all I
care to say on the subject The people
OF Butte and the firemen and miners of
both companies know the facts
1t should be stated, perhaps, that the
authority make the assertions to which
Messrs. Gillie and Carroll have made
reply. That paper simply printed the
calumnes from some anonymous source
Though the effect intended was the same
In exposing the villainous nature of the
Boston papers falsehood, the Inter
Mountain is conscious of no need for so
ia N ia
cerned: neither is there need of publish
ing the details of the fire in defense of
the officers of the Butte & Boston COM
pany. 1t is in the interests of fair play
In the interests of the loyal hearted
miners and smeltermen of both COM
panies interested, and in defense of the
business interests of Butte and its repu-
tation civilized community that this
newspaper repudiates and denounces the
insinuations printed in the Boston News
Bureau as wicked and malignant FALSE
hoods.
That there is litigation between certain
mining companies in Butte is true, but
that any bitterness exists here which
would induce an organized fire
brigade to make idle pr,-
tense of stopping the ravages Of
q great fire or that the members of suc!
brigade would obey orders to neglect
their duty on such an occasion if either
company were infamous enough to issue
them. is simply beyond possibility. Any
charge to the contrary Is a reflection
upon honest men. The laboring and
business interests of Butte are seriously
affected by sach yarns as the Boston
paper hes printed. for the effect of their
circulation is to keep capital out of this
district. lessen the opportunity of en-
ployment. depress the value of lninin.