Connecticut western news., 1908-12-31
,cANAAN's GREATEST NEED

Another year closes to-day and Canaan is but little better fortified against the Yavages of fire than 1t was twelve months ago. It is fact that small quantity of hose and one hose cart have been pur- chased, thanks to the Board of Trade, but some of the hose procured num- Der of years ago is thought to have out lived it's usefulness and the new hose IS about equal to 1t in number of feet therefore the net gain in fire fighting equipment is one small hose cart or reel.
 A modest sum of money is i'll the hands of the Board of Trade fire de- partment committee to be used as they deem deem wise and this amount will be somewhat increased i'll the not far distant future when Canaan amateurs produce a drama partially under the auspices of the Board.
 The members of this committee have discussed and re-discussed various pur- poses for which to expend the money they have on hand. If more hose or carts are purchased there must be suit able building in which to store them. Such building is not now at the dis posal of the fire district. The building and the hose are both needed, one fully as much as the other. The present funds would not erect building, they would not purchase great quantity of hose. The money is being allowed to remain on deposit. however, until the financial result of the drama is known. It is possible that the fund will then be in- creased sufficiently to permit of move being made toward the construction of 8 hose house. The committee believe liberal hearted Canaanites will subscribe the amount lacking.
 Canaan's lack of interest in the sub ject of fire protection is often been . subject of comment. The fact is cited that fire fighting apparatus and fire com panies are found in Norfolk. Lakeville, Sharon and other Litchfield County villages. None of these places is larger or more progressive than Canaan along other lines. But in this one particular they have Canaan "beaten to frazzle. ]" A destructive fire in Canaan would arouse plenty of enthusiasm for more hydrants, more hose etc., but why wait for a calamity of this sort before looking the danger squarely in the face?
 Canaan is growing and it's progress should not be retarded by misfortune which little foresight will prevent. More hydrants and an annual rental for the same would mean the expenditure of money but they warrant it and would bring about reduction ill the remark ably high rate of insurance which pre- vails.
 THE NEWS believes that if the fire district should vote to have. the water mans extended and arrange for an ade- Quate number of hydrants, the necessary hose, carts and other equipment could be obtained by means of entertainments and other devices and not necessitate the laying of tax other than for
 
 We realize that any suggestion which savers of the expenditure of money will not, particularly Ut this time, immed- lately after the enlargement of the school building, meet with the favor of many Canaan residents but the village is, fguratively speaking, sitting on a volcano which is likely to ''pop" at any moment. It does not require vivid imagination to determine what wonld happen should fire break out to-day in frame building in the thickly settled portion of the village.
 This matter of fire protection is one which is entitled to the careful con- sideration of every Canaanite- And prompt action should follow such con- sideration.
 Don't let another year pass without taking the step toward the prevention of the destruction of Canaan's school. stores, residences and other buildings.