The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-17
ONLY NINE ENGINES.

| the discussion continued lons aiter 'ne
meeting was over.
ONLY NINE ENGINES.
Mr.. c. NJ Lee secured the floor and said
he had a few remarks that he considered
pertinent.
After referring 10 the proceedings of
the first meeting OF the year Mr. Lee
said that he understood that at that time
| the members seemed 10 think there was
! plenty OF money 10 buy engines with and
when he supported the motion TO refer the
matter to the finance committee he
thought that IL was only to help matters
along.
Ipstead OF helping things along the com
| mittee reports that the needed engines
cannot be furnished on account OF lack
OF funds
There are only nine engines i'm the city.
| and IN the section OF the city where
come from there is absolutely no suitable
| protection. -Four miles OF territory have
but three engines. large section of Elm
wood being unprotected. The present
| condition I'm this matter Of fire protection
Is criminal negligence" he concluded.
Mr. Grady Of the Tenth ward rose 10
protest against the expenditure Of 5000 10
fix an old engine. Its like putting new
lumber on an old house You can spend
$4,000 for repairs and then YOU will have
| an old building"
Mr. Parks answered Mr. Grady by say
| ing that he had misunderstood. and that
s25oO, or so much that may he necessary,
was for the repairs.
To Mr. Lee he said he had heard no one
say at the other meeting that there was
plenty OF money. 81 certainly did not
I Fly SO. but do not approve hasty
! legislation and think that new business
should be referred 10 the proper commit
| tees"
He said that there had also been si7.-
500 extra money added TO the fire depart
ment appropriation this year and did not
| think IL advisable TO order both extra
engines as a result Of careful investiga-
tion.
In relation to tho statement Of the
| gentleman about "hnding the money for
the engines by hook or crook ! don't
| know exactly who he means by that but
there are no millonaires on the committee
| on finance who can chip in."
Mr.. John o. Darling said he agreed with
Mr.. Lee about the need of more protection
in tho Seventh ward, and said he was In
sympathy with Mr.. Grimwoods new
amendment.
He referred 10 Mr.. Parks support OF
the extension OF the water main as case
in point OF supporting measure
mortgaging next years money.
FRENzIED FINANCE.
Mr.. Rawson referred TO Mr.. Parks re-
port as 'Trenzied finance in the case of
fire protection" and told OF the need OF
more engines in the ward which he repre-
sented.
In regard TO a statement about the in
advisability OF storing new engines he
said they could again be kept at the city
yard and sent wherever there was a de-
mand in case OF a big fire. using the
horses OF the public works department
1t is not more engines we want said
Mr.. Fletcher. II Is detectives that are
needed for fire bugs.
I have always heard that our flre de-
partment was all right ever since | have
been in this council. Do YOU realize that
this fire department costs more per capita
than any other department In the coun-
try. II will also cost us $4,000 annually to
care for those new engines IL we buy
them.
He had a try at sarcasm in referring TO
Mr.. Fletcher's remark about detectives
and said, I'VE ought to abolish matches.
| Fires are set with matches and If we did
away with them there would be no fires"
MIR. Tower said while he believed the A.
nance committee had spent a great deal OF
time and had thoroughly investigated the
I matter in order to render careful re-
port he thought IL would do no harm 20
pass the amendment for part OF the mon
| ey would come from next years appro-
| priation- This would be proper. he said 3
the engine would not be delivered until
| next year.
Mr., Higgins said he couldn't gather
from tho statements that had been made.
Just how the fire commissioners felt about
It. One man said they asked for the en-
would prove this and another would say
they had plenty with the new ones.
PIPE LINE WILL HELP.
Mr.. RaIch said he was glad to support
the finance committee In its honest and
very conservative course. The new pipe
line. which we have authorized tonight
| will remove part OF the need for steamers
I'm the Olneyville section as II will give an
increase Of about 10 pounds In the water
pressure there"
In referring 10 remarks about manufac-
turing plants demanding more protection
in that section and other parts OF the city.
Mr.. Parsons said he was looking over
some insurance policies only yesterday
and found that such places were in them
selves very desirable risks because Of
their construction. sprinkler system end
private fire departments The rate is only
s-1oo OF one per cent.
Mr.. Gorham said he believed the 1re
commissioners requests should he grant
ed.
Mr. Ralch retorted. asking n there was
any limit To the sentlsman's liberality
with the commission.
GRINrwooD READ LETTER.
In reply 10 Mr.. Parsons argument, Mr..
| Grimwood read letter from an insurance
| concern, which spoke or the hope that
| the city OF Providence Would increase
It's number OF steam fire engines. "rhe let
ter was written Yesterday" he said.
Mr. Lee spoke about the two worthless
FIRE engines. ~ and H." and said the two
/ already ordered were not 20 be plared in
/ unprotected sections but would replace
/ these
Mr. Parks said the commissioners told
him these engineers were not 90 he dis
carded. but would be worked In just the
| same.
The commissioners say that n would
not be policy 20 sell them for a thousand
dollars apiece. as they can put them 10
good use here when they are fixed up.
Mr. San Souci then quoted Secretary
John Morrow Of the commission. as say.
Ing that Engine H. which Is the sole