Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-17


which is to be held on January IL.
Edward Manchester was elected to
membership in the commercial associa-
ton, and the meeting adjourned.
Dr.. Edeerly's Letter.
The following is the communication
prepared by DR.. e. T. Edgerly in re-
gard TO placing the fire department on
the merit system, and which was read
before the association last evening:
THE recent water famine has been
the occasion of calling quite sharply
to the attention of the people, the need
of every %precaution fitted to prevent
fire and also the need of all appliances
necessary to and the preparations for
fighting fires when one started.
Would it not be a wise thing, while
this experience is fresh in our mem
cries, for the association to take up
the consideration of the efficiency of
our present fire fighting methods, ap-
planes and force. We are situated
just opposite the fire station and have
occasion to note the frequent changes
in theanr anG Dan amid amid anra
in the personnel of the fire company
stationed there and having a sprinkler
equipment, some of the workings of
which it is necessary that the firemen
be acquainted with, we have had &C.
casion to have the various chiefs in
our building to examine and to learn
about this apparatus. We know,
therefore, we have had to give the in
the past few years.
t"It seems to us therefore that one
thing it would be wise to do would be
if possible, to get this part of our city
staff out of politics and we would like
to see a movement started to that end.
Furthermore, We believe it is not to
be expected that men taken from the
various walks of life and suddenly put
into a fire department, are to know all
about their business particularly as
they do not have training under me
who has had experience.
Our idea would be that if the fire
department could be put upon a So
called Civil Service basis, to make
the salary of the chief an attractive
one and to send to one of the large
cities of the country for a man to be
recommended to take that position, as
SUI hilil VI IhC PCl lioiiCiISs olaIlS
position SO long as his behavior was
satisfactory and his work efficient; to
bring such a man here and allow him
to choose from a number of men Sc
lected by examination, physical and
otherwise, his company and to assure
the successful applicants that their
positions are also secure, SO long as
their conduct and work is satisfactory.
THE duties of that chief and his
men would be to study and learn all
about the buildings of the city; the
ways in which they may be entered,
the location of s%tairways, etc. Also
of course to know where all fire plugs
are and where the best connections
can be made for a fire in any %particu-
lar location. Some statements are
made that the firemen recently in the
city from Chicago, indicated by ques-
lions they asked in regard to buildings
and in regard to apparatus, etc, that
they were experienced and knew what
was expected Of them. AS our men
are put in hurriedly, often during the
changes of administration, we can not
expect the same of, them.
This is a matter of such serious
Importance with SO many thousands of
dollars. not to say anything of lives
at stake, that we feel every one should
arise above partisan feelings in the
matter and look at it strictly from a
business standpoint.
I'VE hope your body will see fit to
at least look into the matter q d il
thought wise. to bring it to the atten-
ton of the proper authorities. We are
a business mems association and in
a and fire protection are two of
the most important items to be con-
sidered in the safe conduct OF business
of any kind, to say nothing of the pro-
lection of our homes and lives"