The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-05-10


ing out OF condition. whatever that
property may be, and It Is especially
necessary that the FIRE fighting APP
paratns be kept, not only in good,
but, in the best possible condition.
This also is the best economy. Ii the
apparatus is not painted when II Is
needed it will sooner wear out and a
larger expense will have to be in
Cured in replacing 1t. This Is also
true Of other repairs that need to be
made to the apparatus The same
physical laws govern repairs TO the
houses belonging to the City In which
the apparatus is stored. We all have
to repair the house in which we live
and the Town cannot expect to be
absolved from this physical neces-
sity. In addition we should be prompt
ed to do it from civic pride which
would prompt us to have our Town
property in first class condition. The
men who volunteer their services for
the protection of their own, and
other fellow citizens property FROM
fire should not have to risk loss OF
life or or injury because Of deficient
or worn apparatus. The amount OF
saving to the community through an
efficient fire department cannot be
easily estimated and the efficiency of
the department depends in q great
measure on the confidence which the
members OF the fire department can
feel that the apparatus given them
will not fail when put to the test;
that heir efforts 10 get quickly to a
fire will not bring injury and, per-
haps, death from a detective wheel or
axle, and that their efforts to over
come the fire when on the scene OF
action will not fail, or themselves be
harmed through any deficiency OF
the means provided them. We have
Board OF Engineers OF the Fire De-
partment who are charged with the
duty of inspecting the fire apparatus
and seeing that everything is safe.
That does not absolve JUS from also
exercising that same duty.
do not mean by this that
everything asked must necessarily be
gwen. The members OF the Fire De
partment are citizens OF the Town
and as much interested as any one III
It's good. They are also TO great
extent taxpayers and would be the
last as a body Of men to exalt the
interest of their immediate company
over what they consider to be the
general good. Still their own in-
mediate need is more nearer to their
eye and may sometimes seem rela-
lively too large. We have to look at
the Whole department in prospective.
Everything cannot be done at once
and It is our duty to do the best we
can with the means at our hands.
The firemen are entitled TO c0nsldera-
tiun and their efficiency depends a
great deal on their interest in the
Among things dear TO
firemen's hearts are inspections and
parades with the competitions and
comparisons necessarily there brought
about. It has been long time since
the Fire Department of Morristown
has had parade to which depart
ments of other communities could be
invited and they have accepted
courtesles from other communities
which should be returned. The Town
should make provision to second the
efforts of the department already be-
gun for such parade here this year.
We have also already had made to
us an application for franchise for
the occupation of some OF our streets
Tor trolley lines. Speaking persona!-
iy, without wishing TO commit this
Board to my ideas on the subject,
would state that as d general propo-
sition | have no hesitation in saying
that THINK fToia5 sii;sss Sc:
streets in MorrisCown would be for
the advantage OF the Town. But in
a desire to reap this advantage, We
should not be hasty in taking up
with any sort of an application; nor
grant rights ia our TOWN. in perpetui-
ty, or without due consideration, or
TO concerns which are apparently
organ. zing either for the purpose OF
acquiring franchises 10 sell, or TOR the
purpose OF building roads at the ex-
pense OF bond holders and leaving
nothing but two tracks Of rust IN our
principal streets or thoroughfares Ia
a few years, or in building just enough
road TO put stock on the market TO
sell to contiding public. While we
welcome all Legitimate enterprises and
are wiling to 20 more than half way
TO attract outside capital to the de-
velopment OF our Town, we have no
franchises or tavors to give 10 those
who, without risk to themselves, are
seeking TO exploit our natural adj
ventAges Tor their own profit.