The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-08-09
HEARING ON ENGINE HOUSE
HELD BYALDERMAYIC COMMIT
TEE LAST EVENING.

many NAu1enb speak TOE ana Against
the Proposed Exchange with the
RaiIroad-some Advocate Separating
the COmpanies-Committee to Report
Next Monday Night.
A meeting of the committee appointed
by the board of aldermen to hold hear
ing on the subject Of the proposed con-
tract with the railroad company for
changing the location Of No. rs engine
house was held in the city hall last eve
ming and many citizens appeared, repre-
senting both sides Of the discussion. The
committee. which consists of Aldermen
Langley, Hotchkiss. Elliott, Sprightly
and Spreyer, was to consider the pro-
posed agreement TO turn over to the
railroad the house and land at present
occupied by No. Us engine house and to
receive in return the land at the corner
Of Olive and st. John streets, and $780,
900 with which to build new house.
One of the first speakers in favor OF
the excahnge was Henry B. Sargent,
representing the factory interests. who
7elA0 that LIE NOAIlPAliJ was f1SEAGQ
there to protect the extensive manu-
featuring interests in that part Of the
town. Edward /. Awater spoke of the
danger from fire in the large lumber
yards along Water street, and urged
that the house should be kept as near
its present site as possible, as the most
central location.
Joseph B. Cunningham, president of
the board Of fire commissioners, spoke
in favor Of the exchange. He said that
there was too much apparatus for .
house of that size and that they were in
one anothers way. The present house,
he said further, cost, including furnish
ings, $25,500 to build, and the $4,000 Of
fered by the railroad company would
build a much larger and more modern
and complete house than the old one Is.
In answer to questions Mr.. Cunningham
said that sites had been offered by other
people. but that without any considera-
ton of money matters, this one had
been agreed upon by the fire commits
sioners as the best one.
Mr.. Miller, representing Mrs. Meaney,
who owns the property on Olive street
next to the proposed site for the engine
house, objected to the site, both because
of its proximity to he property
. and because he thought 1t would
be bad bargain for the city
and suggested that the COM
pany buy the present house and land
outright, when the city would buy Site
to suit itself. He also suggested sepa.
rating the three companies, which occu-
ny the house at present. as SO many
pieces Of property often were In danger
lof a collision when leaving the house
Mr.. Pierce, a member of the board Of
fire commissioners. advocated the plan
sayin gthat the board had accepted tht
sEsite with only the best interests Of tbs
city in view.
Walter Leigh opposed the plan and
strenuously advocated dividing tht
three companies, on the ground that
better discipline and better service
would result where SO many men could
not congregate together. Another rea-
son, he said, was the fact that the mer.
Ieantile interests of the center needed al
least chemical engine nearer the cen
ter than Olive street, perhaps located
lnear the city hall.
Commissioner Pierce said In answer Il
this that the plans were to separate
the companies by partitions, each one
being under its own officers and man.
Iagement. He also stated that the parti,
tions and the increased frontage Of the
house as proposed would obyiate al
/ danger of collision.
/ William Mcdonald, fire commission
er at the time the present house wal
built, said that they wanted to dispose
of the land at that time, but were I'M
able to do so and so had to build thu
house at that place.
7 Mr.. Kerrigan, agent for the Crernir
property, opposite the proposed site, of
fered that property, but the commits
sioners declared that 1t was unsuitable
Mr.. Kerrigan also suggested that tn,
property be sold outright to the railroad
company.
Other citizens also spoke on tn
lquestion, most of them in favor OF TIL
exchange All had been heard by 1893
land the committee then went into exec
utive session. The results Of the com
mittee's investigation will be reportel
to the board of aldermen at the specia
meeting called for next Monday might
when action will be taken on the mat
ter by the board.
H.