The Calumet news., 1911-12-07
FRICTION OVER
FIRE STATION
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BE.
TWEEN MAYOR AND coUN-
Gil OVER ExPEDlENcY
OF BUILDING NOW.

Mayor Dodge and the Hancock city
council clashcd last night over the
question of the expedienoy of letting a
contract for building the proposed new
west Hancock fire hall at the present
time. The committee composed of
Mcssrs. Hosldng O'Nelll and Francis.
appointed recently 20 examine the bids.
reported in favor of awarding the con-
trast to Gauthier Brothers for S6.GS2.
The cost, according TO the report. could
be easily brought within this figure by
making a few changes, such as substl-
tuting a smaller jolst and by making
the brick walls four inches narrower.
"Have we the money with which to
build the fire hall, If we let the con-
tract?" asked the mayor.
I'VE have not" replied Clerk A. r..
Macdonald, FOR possibility Of get
ting any in amounts sufficient for this
purpose,
Alderman Hosking explained that
arrangements had been made by Mr.
Gauthier with the First National bank
by which upon presentation of an or
der from the city agreeing to make
payment when taxes are collected next
summer, to advance the money needed
by the contractor This would relieve
the city Of any embarrassment.
Mayor Dodge demonstrated against
going ahead with the work precipitate-
ly, and thought It might be better to
lay the matter on the table for two
weeks until the fire chief and others
might be consulted as To the actual
necessity for n hall and whether the
plans were agreeable to him. 1t was
suggested that for the time being some
hose and an extra hose cart that the
city has on. hand might be stored near
the car barns where ii would be avail
able in case of fires and serve until
the department could reach the scene.
Aldermen Francis. Hosking, Bran,
O'Neill. and Ojala all spoke i'm favor
of letting the contract now, arguing
that by taking advantage of the pres
ent slack building conditions a consid-
erable sum could be saved the city i'm
the cost of putting up the building. AS
TO the expense of maintenance one big
fire would result in greater damage
than the whole cost of keep of men
and horses at the station would in
volve in year.
Alderman Francis finally made a mo-
tion that the mayor and clerk be in
structed TO sign contract with
Gauther Brothers, which Alderman
HoslUing seconded. The mayor again
protested and asked Mr.. Francis to
withdraw his motion, to which the Sec
ond ward alderman would not agree.
Alderman Hosling said that he
thought the committee was as compe-
tent to judge Of the bids as is the fire
chief to judge citizens whom it was
suggested be consulted. II looked to
him like a slur on the committee. II
it's report was not satisfactory all that
the council had to do was TO refuse
TO vote to accept II. Mayor Dodge
stated that he recognized the ability of
the committee but thought that short
delay wouldn't hurt any and might
have some good effects.
Il am as much interested in the
fourth ward as any one" said the
mayer and desire to act for the best
interests of all concerned"
You are not member of the coun-
Gill" said Alderman Hoskins.
mo, but l consider that am pret-
ty important factor in the city ad-
miristrGtion just the same,' retorted
the mayor.
Alderman O'Neill poured oil on the
troubled waters by suggesting that the
matter might be delayed until Fri
day to which date an adjournment
could be taken. This was satisfactory |
TO Alderman Francis who was pre-
vailed upon withdraw his motion, but
Mir HoslSing. the secondcr of Mr.. Fran
els motion. wouldn't bulge. but said
he didn't suppose 1t was necessary he
should as the motion could be with |
drawn without his consent.
a motion was then made that when
the meeting adjourned ii should be un-
til Friday evening. and that the fire |
chief should be requested to attend and |
give his opinion.
Monthly Report Received.
The monthly report of Justice Fun
key showed SIS received in fines dur
in~ NOccmber and that of Justice Eich- |