The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-08-22

! WHAT PEOPLE SAY !

Chief c. NJ. Hauser-The convention
of firemen attended at Tacoma last
week was the best and most profitable
ever held in the Northwest. The at
tendance was large, about 60 represent
atives being present from all over the
northwest, including British Columbia
Last year the attendance was about 20,
thus you see that more interest was
taken in it this year than ever before.
Many questions were brought up for
consideration, but the most important
was that OF devising some plans where
by funds can be raised for the mainte-
nance of better fire department in cities
where the system is conducted on the
volunteer plan. A paper was read on
the subject, and it was proposed to go
before the next session of the legislature
with bill providing for the taxation of
the insurance companies as means OF
raising the funds necessary. The plan
was not met with general favor, for the
reason that the taxing OF the the insur-
ance companies for such a purpose would
only tend to raise the fire insurance.
The better plan would be to pass law
creating Il fire tax, and then the whole
people would be protected great deal
more efficiently than at present, for the
reas III that fire apparatus could be
kept and a system maintained more
thoroughly: The tax need not be larger,
but sufficient to buy all the things
necessary to keep the department in
good working order hope something
of this kind will be accomplished at the
next meeting OF the legislature, and
then we will have better fire fighting
service here than we have at present.
~
City Engineer II. F. Marble-Street
paving is one thing that should be en-
couraged in a city like this. 1t not
only enhances the value OF property
but it adds much to the appearance of
streets. Good streets and good side.
walks, or pavements, 90 great way in
making abuting property in demand,
and when you have anything that any
body else wants you have something
that is OF value to you. Any of the
property on the street now being paved
Or contemplated is more desirable than
any other kind. First you have good
thoroughfare to back it up and second,
you have the ad, antage OF being along
side OF the property in Just as good con-
iition. believe the macadam now be-
ing put down by E. C. Burlingame will
be the best in the northwest. So far
the work is first class and the way it is
done will make it lasting. Macadam
must be done right or it might as we'll
not be done at all. The foundation
must be good to start with and then the
plan of graduation in the sizes of stone
from the larger ones on the bottom to
the smaller ones on the top makes
roadway, when packed that will last
Tor years. And then one thing about
it, repairs are easily made. The holes
that naturally come to macadam can
be filled up at any time and in a way
chat will not mar the bea lty of the
street. The old plan Il laying macadam
was to break the stoAe by hand and
place them on an unp-epared roadbed.
letting the wagon Wheels DO the packing.
Paving could be done 70 advantage in
the winter time WHEN the ground is
wet and packing could be more readily
lone 1t will take a winters hauling on
macadam laid in summer to make it
good and hard, and i is my opinion
that by next spring our streets will be
as hard as any well paved road in the
country
~.
c. K. Harris-I toos. in the carnival at
Tacoma last week and during the short
time / stayed in that city enjoyed the
event very we'll. There i one thing that
want to say against the people of Taco
ma, and that is the way they run the
prices up on everything when the carni-
val began. In going to Tacoma hereto
fore always had a certain place to stop
at so cents per night Tor room, but
when put up at the same place on this
occasion the price was run up TO $3.50
tor bed. l paid the price protesting
and forthwith lett for Seattle. like thou
sands of others, where iiyi.lg is little
cheaper.
~
T. Y. Heckman-A> First street