The Newtown bee., 1902-05-23

but the proper distribution of respon- and censure is quite another matter. have not talked with any member of the Water Company, but, unless it's history has been a very un- usual one, I imagine its projectors were laughed at at the outset, and few were willing to buy any stock in the enterprise to help it onto it's feet. And when it's value began to be realiz- ed those who laughed at it at first were most imperative in demanding it for their own houses and then loudest in complaint that the company had thereby crippled the supply for extin- gushing fires! And meanwhile the company had probably only just begun to make small dividends on the money invested, and was not able, without additional capital, to undertake the large expense of laying down a new and larger main pipe, mile long, even if the present reservoirs could supply water for it. And neither the town nor individuals would help them in the work, though all were interested in increasing the supply. And then, who could have foreseen such demand for water as that of Monday night? Itis
 ALL TOO EVIDENT NOW THAT THE WA
 TER SUPPLY MUST BE INCREASED, or insurance companies will not take risks here. There are two ways of reaching the desired result; first for the citizens to subscribe more liber- ally to buy stock and furnish enlarged capital for the company, or, secondly, get borough incorporated and then make the water supply a matter of municipal ownership and control, and the same with the lighting of the town. The latter method is, in my opinion, by far "the more excellent way," and nothing but prompt improvement of the service by the companies should save them their franchises.
 3. BETTER FIRE APPARATUS
 is also imperative. A good steam fire engine, and a chem ical engine, too, would have been thought an extravaganza here. but how petty their cost would now seem compared with the loss occas- toned by the want of them; and a small reservoir of water, fit for fire, uses only, could be easily constructed in the deep and narrow valley of Great Brook, back of the school house, and so give the boys and girls skating pond in winter besides. Then, with increased water mains, a reservoir on one side and the Housatonic on the other, New Milford could defy fires, and get the cheapest insurance in the state. But first class hook and lad der apparatus is also needed. I under took to use one of your fire hooks on Monday night, to help get hose stream into burning stable, but it snapped like toy in my hands. A New York hook and ladder company would have torn down all those f1imsy old wooden structures, the kindlers, in the center of that block, in few minutes and cleared the ground and put out the fire by lack of fuel, and so saved the town, without a drop of water. All praise to the local fire company. They did nobly, with poor tools, and have ca rned better ones.
 4. THE WIDENING AND GRADING OF
 BANK STREET
 should come now, both for the safety and the beauty of the place. It's mar rOwness before made it d gloomy, crowded, unpleasant street, and one easily crossed by fire, even when work ing backward against the wind as was the case last Monday night. The bluff should be cut down as everybody knows how hard it is for loaded teams, and how dangerous for everybody in icy times in winter. The level part of the street above is also an awful mud hole in spring, but true grade from the center of the Green to Railroad street and ten feet more breadth would make it clean, easy, dry, and, when rebuilt as it will be, a safe and beautiful street.
 6. FEWER SALOONS IN NEW MILFORD,
 AND NONE ON BANK STREET,
 is another and all-important lesson to