Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-03-20

"A couple of weeks ago reference was
| made in this correspondence OF the
| brutality exercised by some drivers of
| horses in drawing fire apparatus to
| fires, and the statement of facts occa-
stoned favorable comment as well as
adverse criticism. 1t was stated that
when horses were going at top speed
| and doing their very best some driv-
| ers, not all, used the whip freely in a
useless endeavor to urge the horses to
run beyond their limit. and that this
action was brutal, inhuman and should
not be permitted.
After two weeks of silence Chief
Engineer Stanners rushes into print
with the declaration that the critic,
meaning poor me. must have been look
ing through smoked glasses, whatever
that may mean in this matter, and that
he (the chief hal never seen anything
that resembled brutality on the part of
drivers. If the chief really means what
he says. he must have been looking
through glasses that were not smoked,
for he evidently could not see. as in
stances OF the kind referred to have
been within his observation.
But it is not the object to eriticise
the work of the Norwich fremen at the
Shannon fire, but rather to defend the
New London department from accusa-
lions in a printed article in which the
name and statements of Chief Stan
ners are given prominence. Looking
through smoked glasses Ell?
Wonde. il that cold blizzard night of
winter before last, when there were
three fires in New London. escaped the
critic of the local department? On
that hight, with o binding snow storm
and half a gale blowing, there was call
for a fire on the roof of the Lewis
building in Estate street, and the fire
was confneN to the roof. Then came
call for fire en- a tugbOat at Cha opells
lower wharf. one of the obstinate kind,
but the boat was saved. Then came
call to a fire in q four story wooden
building in State street, with fire from
cellar to- attic. and the volunteer rrs-
men kept the fire confined to the build
ing and saved the structure Here
was a case where a wooden building
almost as high as the Shannon build
ing. with wooden. not brick, buildings
adjoining. and the total loss was not
$1,000. Pretty fair work for volunteer
firemen in a single night, and one of
the worst possible nights for fires.
But to the point at issue, the over
driving Of horses in running to fires.
The next time there is a fire and two
companies are near each other just
watch the race. and If the cad is not
vigorously applied it will be exception
to what has happened in the past. and
as it should be. fer there's no sense in
urging horses with the whip to do the
impossible. This has been done and
no man in New London knows that to
be fact better than Chief STEAMERS. a
good fireman and a good fellow. but
not always discreet in his sayings and
doings.
After considerable agitation on the
part of people and press the trolley
company was induced TO substitute a
fifteen minute schedule for a twenty
minute schedule. In order to do this
it became necessary, Of course. to make
the trip in five minutes less time. and
to do this why the cars were sent
along as faster speed Hardly had the
new schedule commenced when mp rose
certain citizens and registered their
knocks at the increased speed. at the
refusal 20 stop except at the white post
stations, and because slow passengers