The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-02
NORTH SIDE NEWS.
Much Need of a Fire Steamer
North of River.
But Cannot Be Accommodated at
Station No. 1.
NOT ROOM ENOUGH.
Requires Addition to Present
Building.
Mayor and Fire Chief Favor New
Arrangement


| water mains necessitated by the Melan
bridge extension the water was shut
off from the North side several hours
yesterday. The Ahrens steamer was
sent over from headquarters to fire
station No. 1 for use in case of fire.
! This calls attention to the need of
| an engine to be permanently located
| on the Moth side. Chief Wilmarth on
May II, 1909, recommended to the city
council that such action be taken.
| However, this would mean that new
building or addition be built to No.
to accommodate the engine. Nothing
was done. The present mayor, ]. B.
Billiard, also president OF the Civic club,
is in favor of such measures as soon
as they can be brought about.
The four mills, the Central Sash &
Door company's planning mill and the
lumber yards. the tie storing plant
Mort side in the opinion of nearly all
of the First ward people demand bet
ter fire protection than is afforded at
present. No steamer is stationed per-
manently north of the river, and in
case one should be needed it would re-
Quire about fifteen minutes for one to
come from headquarters to almost any
place near Nelan bridge. If a fire
should break out at the tie treating
plant, on the west edge of Topeka,
much longer time would be required
for the arrival of the engine there.
This is not to mention the residences
which would he at the mercy of flames
if the water pressure should fail. And
many of the houses, especially those on
the outskirts are beyond the reach or
the hose from the hydrant.
These conditions are we'll known to
the fire chief and mayor. The latter
said this morning: Il am in favor OF
installing a Are engine permanently on
the North side. 1 understand, how
ever, that such a plan would involve
the building of an addition to No.
station as there is not room enough
for the accommodation of the men or
equipment for steamer IN the sta
ton at present.
This was confirmed by Chief Will
marth. He said: ION May IT, 1909,
recommended to the council that the
Ahrens engine be sent to the North
side. However, this means that an
addition be built to the present station,
and nothing vas done about the mat
ter:
mission, while the measure mentioned
will eventually come about, do not
wish to appear to crowd them with
new propositions until they have had
time to draw their breath.
Before sending the recommendation
referred to 1he council I took many
measurements at station No. 1 to see
dated as the building already stands.
but thirty years of experience in build
ing engine houses tells me that it
could not. the only way would be to
build an addition to it.
Eat present it is too narrow. Modern
stations are arranged so that the
horses and stalls stand at the side of
the equipment, for the most efficiency
as at headquarters, but No. 1 was
built before the new style. The horses
and stalls are back of the equipment,
and as far as 1 can see, there would
be no room for the engine and the ex-
ira men to go with it, unless an addi-
ton be made.
Just how much such an improve
ment would cost, or in what way it
could be done, I am rot able to state
now. However,, I am in favor OF such
a thing, and rs 1 said. believe it will
come in time"
Harry Lang died of consumption at
his home in Menoken about o'clock
this morning. He was &c years old. He
was the son of Mr.. and Mrs. F. G. Lang
of Menoken. Up to the time of his last
sickness he had been carrying mail
Z. He leaves a wife and two children, a
boy and a girl. He is also survived by
three sisters, Mrs d. Chrisman, Mrs.
Carrie Harrell and Miss Laura Lang,
and four brothers, Ed Lang, Harvey
Lang, Fred Lang and Willis Lang, all
of Menoken. He came here from
Mitchell county, his birthplace. about
ten years ago. The funeral arrange
mentS nave not Deen maze.
Mrs Ella Ewing died of old age at |
her home, 248 Jefferson street, early |
this morning. She was rs years old. |
The funeral will be held at 2 p. m. to- !
morrow from the Central Baptist |
church The body will be buried in the !
Rochester cemetery.
Community Comment.
A Santa F'e shopman says he is more |
enthusiastic about a square meal" |
than the much talked of square deal" |
1t is always hard to decide between |
strawberry short cake and apple dump |
lings.
The high school seniors are now |
studying up Beyond the Alps lies |
etc.
Next to a sore corn a woman's idea |
of torture is a broken corset stay.
The Madonna halo has been replaced |
by rats and carnation braid.
In this age of the new woman, even |
the married women are interesting If |
they don't talk too much about red |
ants and poor wash ladies'
Besides the romance of knowing an /
actress or trained nurse there is the |
pervading thrill which enthralls a |