Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-04-16
CITY'S CHARTER
NOT DEFECTIVE
Council Discusses Improved
System for the Fire
Department

brought to the attention of the council
last night by demonstration of a fire
alarm system by George E. Waggon,r,
representing the Pacific Fire Alarm
company, and w. Hale Carter of the
Robinson Fire Apparatus company of
st. Louis,
Mr.. Waggoner exhibited a working
model Of his alarm system and made
a proposition to the council to install
a 4O-box system with eight miles of
WIRE sounder for the big fire bell and
electric gong for the fire house at an
aggregate expense of $4,000.
System Offered at Cost.
Mr.. Waggoner explained that this
offer was much less than will be asked
after the company has installed a sys-
tenn in the Inland Empire, and was at
price where the company would not
expect any profit but at this time base
f1rm was making a campaign to install
a system in this part of the country
and intended to continue this cam
paign until they had secured foot
hold
He said his company has recently n
stalled system at Salem. Oregon, and
referred the members of the council
to the city officials of that place. He
proposed to insall his system subject
to a thorough inspection of the citv
authorities and give an asolute guar
antee as to its durability and eff-
cheney. The matter was referred to
the fire and water committee.
Carriers Company Wants Chance.
Mr.. Carter said that his company
was in the market to sell all kinds of
fire apparatus and equipment and
asked that they be notified when the
city was prepared to purchase any,
thing in their line.
He stated that they were prepar q
to supply hose wagons and othe.
equipmen of similar character pre-
tected by guarantee bond for double
the amount of the purchase price. He
said one of the essential points in buy.
ing fire apparatus is to secure the best
equipment with the least possible
weight and that they were prepared to
install combination hose wagon, fu'-
" guaranteed, which is much lighter
than other like equipment now being
offered.
Lewiston's Charter Is o. K.
Attorney f. ONe,ll appeared before
the council and stated he had received
a message from Boise denying the IT,
NOR that an error existed in the man
ner of procedure in passing the Lew
iston charter.
| James B. McGrane asked permission
to plant trees in the cemetery along
the west border for the purpose of
forming a hedge separating his prop
erty from the cemetery. The request
was referred to the cemetery commit
tee.
A contract was authorized with R.
L. Spiker to pump the sewer until
April %, at which time the bids for
pumping the sewer during the freshet
period will be opened. Mr.. Spiker will
receive So for each IL hours the pump
is in operation.
Jay Woodruff appeared before the
council by request and stated that two
years ago he made the city asses
ment. He further stated that for that |
work he received $420, which was but
fair compensation for the work per-
formed
The question as to how the assess |
ment is to be made this year was dis |
cussed. Councilman Osmers held that |
personal property such as household
goods should not be taxed unless the |
values were in excess of what would be
considered as necessary for comfort
Mr.. Woodruff stated that two years
ago pianos and other musical instru-
ments were not taxed.
THE assessment two years ago was
based on 70 per cent Of the real es-
and so per cent on merchandise" said
Mr.. Woodruff. IT believe that the as
sessment should be made with the |
assistance of a map and the name o.
the owner written upon each parcel OF
property. The work can not be sue |
cessfuIly done without map ana by |
its use all possibilities OF error viii be |
eliminated"
Mr.. woodruff stated that he would
make the assessment ana rurnl5n pne |
necessary map for 800.
He said that If he was appointed to
do the work he would want to devote |
more time than was given two years |
ago and for that reason would ask for
more money.
The assessment question was re- :
ferred to the ways and means COM |
mittee to be reported upon at he next
meeting.
Street Commissioner Hill reported |
that he recommended establishing a |
new sprinkling district in the hill Sec
ton This would give three districts |
on the fiat and four hill districts. Each |
hill district win have grade to sprin- |
kle and by this arrangement 1t is be-
lieved much better service can be Sc
cured