Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-10
COUNCIL Taxes
IMPORTANT SLIP
.eso.ves to Equip and Install a
Paid Fire Department in
Marshalltown.
Resolution is Agreed to Unani.
mously and Special Commit
tee Selected.
Difference Of Opinion as to
Whether Two Companies
Are Needed.
Plans Also for Chemical Engine
Volunteer Firemen to
Have Jobs.

Have Jobs.
The city council has not waited for the
presentation of petition from the tax
payers before taking action relative to
improved facilities for fighting fires,
and at the meeting Monday night adopt
ed a resolution calling for the installation
of paid department. During the past
week or two business men and property
owners have discussed the question
with various members of the council,
with the result that not one of the eight
members is opposed to the change, the
resolution declaring for paid depart
ment being adopted without dissent
Ing vote. There is difference OF opin-
ION regarding the question Of the neces-
sity of two companies, some OF the
members believing that one company
will answer for the present. with the
services OF limited number OF volun-
teer garemen. The resolution, which was
drawn by Councilman Henry, called for
one company and a chemical engine, but
this was amended to read two compa-
nies, with the understanding that when
thorough investigation Of the question
is made 1t may be changed. The resoiu-
tionEpresented and adopted Is as fol-
lows:
whereas, 1t has been recently DEM
onstrated by disastrous fires in various
parts of the city at one time that the
CITY has outgrown its present volunteer
fire department, and not wishing to de-
tract from, nor in any manner depreci-
ate their services in times past, nor 10
come. still 1t is deemed necessity on
account of the growth and extension OF
the city limits, that we shall have q paid
Are department; therefore,
Resolved, by the city council OF Mar
shalltown, that a paid department is
necessity; that iE order to carry out
same. a combination wagon. SO arranged
that chemicals and sufficient hose can
be carried thereon, and team and
proper harness therefor to haul same,
should be purchased at once to meet
such necessity unless same Is donated
by our citizens: and be 1t further
Resolved, That the city, as soon as
said apparatus is procured. employ
three or four competent men, including
driver. at such salary as the council
sees fit. who shall constitute the paid
department of this city: and be 1t fur
Their
Resolved, by the said council, that
the present volunteer department be
rearranged on such lines as the council
sees AT. to work in harmony with said
department. 80 that 1t Will require GER
tain portions of same to answer certain
calls in certain parts OF the city; and be
1t further
Resolved, by said council, That the
volunteer department of this city be re-
Quested to present to this council the
rames Of eight persons whom they deem
competent to fill each position contem-
plated herein, and that the council Sc
iect from said names one person for
each position, who can be removed at
any time by the council for incompe-
tency, etc"
The resolution was discussed at some
length, Messrs. Kreutzer, Fisher. Kirby
and Mcclure expressing the belief that
two companies will be needed. On the
suggestion of Mr.. Fisher the whole
mittee to investigate and determine just
What will be required in the way OF
equipment, number OF men necessary
for each company best methods of or
ganizing paid department, etc. The
committee was empowered to visit other
cities to secure needed information. The
mayor appointed as the special commit
tee Mr.. Kirby, chairman of the commit
tee on fire and police; Mr.. Henry, the
Trainer of the resolution, and Mr. Fisher,
former chairman of the fire committee.
Their report will be made at the next
regular meeting of the council in jan
uary. If two companies are finally
deemed necessary the least number pos
sible will be employed, while If but one
company Is employed it will probably
consist of five men. The equipment will
include at least one chemical engine in
combination with hose wagon, as sta
tistics show that from As to so per cent
cs losses are from water. which are pre-
vented by the use of the chemical ma
chine. Mr.. Henry said after the meet
ing that one prominent citizen had de-
cIared that IL necessary ne would per-
sonally raise 81 900 among the citizens
TO De uSeu III the purchase OIL apparatus.
The plan is also being discussed of using
the f1remen for police patrol duty in the
district near the headquarters each man
devoting six hours out of each twenty
four hours to this duty. While last
month was extraordinary IN the number
of disastrous fires, the salary bills of the
volunteer department, presented and al
lowed at Monday nights meeting.
amounted to over $500 for that one
month alone, sum more than sufficient
to pay the salaries Of a paid department.
The council was served with notice of
the beginning of two suits, one for IS
and the other for S10.S0. the first amount
being claimed by John w. Longnecker
and the latter by Tinker & Armstrong.
The accounts were both disputed by the
council, but rather than go to the ex-
pense Of a lawsuit they were allowed.
An agreement and contract between
the city and Mr.. ID. I. Denmead was
presented for the conveyance. without
charge, of the private alley in the rear
OF the City National Bank building. Mr..
Denmead agreeing to pave the same
with vitrified brick, the city to lay a
sewer therein. The alley extends from
Center street west to the north and
south alley and has been private prop