The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-04-22
FIRE LOSSES ARE LIGHT
Those in iMankato Last Year Foot
Up Only to SIS, 555.' Co..
Annual Report of Fire Department
Shows So Alarms.
Extension of Watermains to Factory
--z--zzr
District Strongly Urged.
Also Purchase of an Aerial Truck and
70 Foot Ladder.
From Saturdays Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
Chief Beach of the fire department
presented his annual report to the coun-
Gil last night, in compliance with the
requirements of the city charter. The
fire losses for the year ending April Sd
are estimated at $5,555.47, with the to-
tai amount of insurance $5s,700. The de-
partment responded to fifty-eight
alarms, of which sixteen were sent in
through the fire alarm boxes, thirty
seven by telephone, and five by person
al service.
The department has 1850 feet of hose
of all kinds, and seven head of horses,
all in good condition.
During the past year a Gamewell cleo
trio storage battery, an Atwo circuit
switch board and an electric motor and
generator were purchased.
There are in the department eighty
five officers and men, of which six are
paid men located at the central fire sta
ton and in active service. The discip-
line of the force is good, and no COM
plants in regard to the conduct of any
of the men have been received.
The water supply during the past
year has been good, but for fire service
there is still chance for improvement.
The water mains have been extended A.
654 feet the past year, and seven addi-
ticnal hydrants placed.
Tie expenditures of the department
were as follows: Salaries, $5,S05.92;
light, 1890; fuel, $767.1O; forage,
$6OO.55; shoeing, SOB; purchase of ap-
paratus, hose, etc., $327.l5; repairs on
building, $32l.l0; miscellaneous ex-
penses, $92l36; total, $9,OOO.os.
Chief Beach recommends the extension
of the water mains and the placing of
hydrants as follows: l. The extension
of the main on Elm street from the al
ley between Willow and Maple streets to
Maple streets, and the placing of hy-
drant at the corner of Elm and Maple
streets. 2. The extension of the main
on Rock street from Front to Maple, and
the placing of hydrant at the corner
of Rock and Willow streets, and at the
corner of Maple and Rock. streets 8
The extension of the main on Vine street
from Front to Willow, and the placing
of hydrant at the corner of Willow ant
Vine streets.
The chief calls attention, as he has
the last two years, to the fact that sew
eral factories and manufacturing plants
are located in this section without pro
per water supply to cope with big
fire. Twice his statements were almost
verified last year, when the Chicago
= Great Western round house burned. II
was necessary to stretch line of hose
2,l00 feet long to reach the place, ant
there was not enough pressure to throw
stream of water to the second story
windows.
The recommendation is also made that
the city purchase an aerial truck to bt
placed in service at the central fire sta
ton, and that the one now in service be
sold or exchanged in part payment fol
the new one. The city has outgrown the
old truck, as it is inadequate for present
wants. The department needs an aeria,
ladder truck with nothing less than q
seventy foot ladder. The present longest
ladder will extend only forty five feet
and that comes considerably short oil
reaching the top of many of our pres
ent buildings. There are also other rea
sons why the chief would like to dis
pose of the present truck and purchase a
new one, which are known to the com.
mittee on fire department.
In closing his recommendations, the
chief says: Gentlemen, these recon-
mendations have been long wanted
necessities. out Tor eccnoGy-'s SAKE '"ey
asye. EeeE paSSe' Mn ain d Dn:ie:er y
economy. l have AIMED to be ecGn1G,csi
in all my dealings tor the department
and the city at large, and I shall cox
tinue to be 80, bur l believe wce>e
economy is practiced at tie eer;: g iiS-
aster it becomes a crime"