Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1905-10-18
COUNCIL EMPLOYS
WATER WORKS EXPERT
c. h. Rifles to Pass Upon
Value of Plant of Water
Supply Company.
NEW SEWER SYSTEM PROPOSED

After a delay of about a month, the
city council at it's meeting yesterday
afternoon disposed Of the matter OF
the employment of a water works ex-
pert to pass upon the value of the
plant of the Water Supply company,
and to make estimates as to the prob
able cost of a new water works sys-
tenn for the city of Albuquerque, in
case tho city should decide to put in
its own ant. The council adopted
the epOrJ of the special committee
appointed 20 secure an expert. The
committee recommended the appoint
ment of c. II. Rifles, formerly of Cali
fornia, but for almost a year past, a
resident of Albuquerque, who agreed
to do the work for the sum of 81, $50.
Alderman Wilkerson, chairman OF
the committee, outlined the reasons
for believing Mr.. RIFLES a competent
expert, showing where he was one of
eight experts employed 10 pass upon
the value of the water works system
of Oakland, Cal, in which IS. 000, 600
was involved. other reasons we're
given showing that Mr.. Rifles has
done important work for the govern
ment, and stands very high in en-
cheering circles in the west. Al
though several other engineers were
recommended to the council, Mr.. Riff
hes was finally chosen by a unanimous
vote, Alderman CLEARWATER not vot-
ing.
1t is expected that the expert will
at once enter upon his duties, which
will require from six weeks to two
months time.
Can City Afford Fire Engine?
The matter of additional fire equip
ment for the Albuquerque fire depart
ment was thoroughly threshed out at
yesterdays council meeting. The main
question seems to be, "Can the city
AFFORD an outlay of $4,000 to $40, 900
for the purchase of a fire engine and
other equipment?" The fire commit
tee appointed to investigate the mat
ter submitted its report, signed by.
Chairman Gillenwater and the men,
bers of the committee, which was
adopted. The report was as follows:
Albuquerque, n. NJ, Oct. II, 1905.
To the Mayor and City Council
Conference.-The fire committee fur
ther pursuing the matter of additional
ire equipment for the city. did on Fri
day, the 18th, inst, hold a meeting, at
which all members were present,
which meeting was attended at the in
VltatiOn of the chairman, by Fire Chief
Burtless and by Mr.. A. H. Miller, rep
r~esentative of the American Fire En-
CINE company of Seneca Falls, New
York and Cincinnati, who made a
lengthy explanation of fire engines
manufactured by his company, and ex-
hlbited various photos and models
bearing on the same.
Your committee were of the opinion
that the subject demands further and
careful consideration, and requested
Alf. Miller to appear before and ad-
dress the city council at the present
meeting, which invitation Mr.. Miller
accepted and will, with the consent
of the mayor and council, address this
body.
Your committee has heretofore in
dicated by a written report which ap-
pears on the minutes of the meeting
at which the report was presented,
its views on the situation in our city,
and now reiterates same. and trusts
that the council will see fit to take
definite action in the matter. Respect
fully submitted, etc.
Following the adoption of the report,
A. H. Miller, representing the Amer
ican-LaFTance Fire Engine company.
of Elmira, N. Y, was given permits
sion to address the council. He rec
commended a 6~00-gallon engine as ad-
| equate to the needs of a city the size
OF Albuquerque, and went into details
as to the quality of the machinery fur
nished by his house. One point in IA
Yor of the engine manufactured ny
his company is that 1t is recognized
as a standard engine and can be easily
handled by two horses.
After Mr.. Miller had finished. Sid
ney Bieber, fire marshal of the Dis
trist OF Columbia, and who for years
had charge of the fire fighting forces
in the national capital, was invited
to give his views regarding the needs
Of a fire department in a city the size
Of Albuquerque. Mr.. Bieber's talk
proved highly interesting. He de-
scribed the modes of fighting fires in
the large cities OF the country, the
equipment of the departments in both
large and small ci,les, and in his talk
gave the members of the council very
valuable information.
The matter OF additional equipment
for the local department and the pur-
chase of a fire engine was finally re-
ferred to the finance committee for a
report as to the possibility of the city
standing the expense of such equip
ment at the present time.
Proposes Two Fire Districts.
Alderman Hanley, after the discus
sion OF fire fighting, etc, addressed
The council at some length regarding
the necessity of dividing the present
hre limits of the city into two fire
districts, for building purposes. he
proposed that the first district be
composed of the business section OF
the city, and that tails district be alb
SoluJely fire proof, so far as new con
sttuctiOn is concerned, while in the
outside, or second district, single. or
other non-iire proof roofing would be
allowed on buildings and residences.
The matter was referred to the fire
committee, which was instructed 10
investigate and make a report at the
next meeting of the council.
To Extend Water Mains.
petitions We're read from property
owners on North Twelfth street. ask
ing Tor the extension of the water
mains out that street. and another
from the American Lumber company.
asking an extension Of the main 10 the
city limits in order 10 allow the mills
To- connect with the city water sys-
TEN. The council took action ON Irfb