Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-01-05

burdens resting upon us today will be
theirs
Exits from Halls.
Although I have referred to the mat
ter Of opcn exits for our thoatcrs and
public halls, am not aware that every
thing possible has been done. Are we
negligent In this mattcri Can We a.
ford TO take the risk when Il costs
nothing 20 avoid iti What Of our ere
escapesi Some Of our commcuiablo
citizens and landlords have fitted their
buildings with these avenues for ready
escape from fro. but I siill note that
some buildings have not yet been proper
~ fitted. am Of the opinion that either
tho committee or someone else IL no
glecting n duty which stands every day
a menace 70 their peace and Happiness
should anything ~ wrong The high
building IL safc enough, 90 long ne the
hre brand sleeps but woe 20 tho unfor.
tunaics caught by q blazing stairway
on a top story.
Gentlemen, We should think of ihcse
things. n We are dcrclict IN our plain
duty. when the law expressly provides
Tor tho safety of those housed In our
tall buldiurs and We fail 20 see that
tho law is enforced. We alone are 70
blame. lot he take heed and opon vida
our exits and provide our buildings
with the proper escape from Gre.
Tho Fire Department
] wish 10 speak of our hrc depart.
mont u H. probably not the best IN
tho world because ~ lack of funds
with which 10 more adequately equip.
TO nay way of thinking . aro depart.
ment Il efficient only In tho degree Il
Is operated FOR tho espre@ purpose for
which u was created, nhat Ia, 20 light
fires. When men are selected whose ca.
paeities for sighting dres arc tho arst
consideration, then tho department. is
generally good. AZ no time should po-
liiieal influence be felt by this depart.
ment and iis good work and efficient
service impaired By the political boss
who would cripple tho department FOR
political gain. We must respect tho
safety of our city TOO much 20 allow
ANY tamperlng with this most Import.
ant Of all departments lot us remom.
ber that We want the best men 10 this
department, regardless OF their politl.
cal color. We must not saeridee ev.
erything 20 machine politics or boss
rule. Maintain the highest standard
possible, and spend a. much money a.
We can with the purchasing Of appar
atua
We should have a light chemical en-
gine 20 replace the heavy monster en-.
gines Instead of dragging theso tre
mendous machines 90 chimney Ore or
false alarm, dart out with the feath.
erweight chemical and save tho eneise
and the wear and tear upon our fsith-
ful horses North Salem, East salem
few Park and South salem should
have our early attention in ~ matter
n a more efficient hre projection. A
lght chemical placed ~ these differ.
mt localities, with a combination on.
''ne and hoso wagon, with one man
md horse would doubtlessly serve for
most purposes Reinforeements could
'e easily had from neighboring sta.
Ions IN ease Of necessity.
also suggest, in this connection
siai the people OF Salem not rely too
nueh upon the hre department. The
'ork OF hauling our large engines a
ong distance through our muddy
'reets takes time Buy yourself a
and extinguisher An extinguishsr In
he kitchen would often save YOU much
amage by fire, and water when the Do
artment arrives. Especially should
aburbanites take heed OF this warn.
~ You who have no water near al
and and no immediate 6re protoetion.
aould consider this matter. Let the
apartment come when Il Is too late
Or you 10 cope with the embryonic
laze. We have no eisterns or hy.
rants In the new wards from which
get water when the engine arrives
pom the scene Of Ere The new wards
.ust privately prepare for Gre until
ydTants can be put in for their use.
The Park Board.
In closing this brief outline OF a
~ Of the more important matters, /
ust take time 70 mention the good
Ork done BY our park commissioners
. owe our thanks Of appreciation 10
b. William Manning Mra d. D. Fry