, 1906-01-17

the question full consideration. and I
believe that we shall get a reduction
on account of the small losses that are
being sustained. But. If the Insurance
companies do not grant this reduction.
to which we are justly entitled, I be-
lieve it would be fitting and proper for
the city to take action to compel them
to bear a portion of the maintenance
of the fire department, by of a
special license.
| would recommend that three new
fire alarm boxes be added to the pres
ent system, and that new hydrants be
installed; and would further suggest
that the hydrants not be placed until
the question of new mains is fully set
tied. when the best locations for the
hydrants can better be determined.
The old Silsby steamer has served us
well, having been in service for twenty
five years. This steamer is obsolete,
as compared with those in use today
In many fire departments, and is not
OF large enough capacity. Within the
next two years provision should be
made to replace the old steamer with
one that is up-to-date, and of larger ca
pacity.
In conclusion, | wish to express my
thanks to the honorable mayor. and
members of the council for the kind
and valuable assistance they have rem
dered, for by their united efforts we
have been able to organize an up-to-
date service, equal to the best. | also
wish to extend my thanks to the assis-
'tant chief, officers and other members
of the fire department, who have SO
faithfully and diligently performed ev-
cry duty imposed upon them, which
has made it possible to build the fire
department up to the present state Of
efficiency. Respectfully submitted,
OTTO GRAMM,
Chief of Fire Department.
January 1, 1906.
With the report Mr.. Gramm has In
cluded tables showing the property of
the department, amounting to s15,-
231.70, a list OF the fires and alarms
during the year, with the time of SER
vice and the amount of loss, and the
expenditures on account of fire depart.
ment for the year. The largest items
in the inventory of property are the
four horses, $3.50; the steamer, $500;
the chemical engine, $1,000; fire hose,
$1,000; brick engine house, $4,000;
frame house, $3.50; fire alarm system,
$1,000, and hydrants, 81 POI.
During the year there were twenty
four alarms-16 fires, 4 false alarms
and 4 still alarms. The total time of
service by the department was II hours
5 minutes. The total amount of loss
was s5,765; approximate loss to the
Union Pacific, $4,000; approximate loss
to the insurance companies, $2,765.
There were three alarms in January,
n in February, two in April, one in
May, four in June, four in July, four
in August, three in October and n
each in November and December. The
most expensive fire, in the matter of
loss, was that in the Union Pacific ho-
tel on the 9Th of October, when the
loss is given as $500 and the time of
service of the department 2 hours 80
minutes.
The chemical engine was used al the
Kleemann store fire on the Sth of Aug
ust, 80 minutes; rolling mills boiler
sheds, August II, ten minutes; Union
Pacific hotel, August 27, still alarm,
ten minutes; Peterson soda factory,
October 20, ten minutes; Hodgeman
residence fire, November IS, fifteen
minutes, and the Woodruff residence
fire, December 16, thirty minutes. The
total loss was $50.
The total expenditures for the year
were S~4,303.37. OF this the horses and
repairs aggregated S 1865 leaving a
net expense of $3,3S6.S7.
Daily Republican. So cents a month.