The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-11-18
81 SUMTER. S. Co. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 49, 1911

was need for the fire APPARATUS
right now and as 1t would be three
months before pumper could get
here he did not think it a good thing
to get 1t at this time, while 1t was
necessary to put the steamer in SER
vice right away and he thought that
the heater which was needed now
ought to be purchased right away.
He then moved that Council defer
action In securing other apparatus
until next meeting. He said that he
was still opposed to the purchase Of
pumper.
Mr.. Glenn and others were opposed
to Mr.. Cuttino's motion. Action of
Council was wanted at once as Coun-
Gil had already delayed action too
long. The apparatus was not kept in
proper readiness for fires at the de-
partment house now and l.e agreed
that reorganization of the depart
ment was wanted and stated that a
foreman ought to be placed in charge
of the building and apparatus.
Mr.. McKeiver moved that the re-
port Of the committee be adopted,
and that the La France machine be
purchased with a five year guaran zee
bond on it. This he thought ought to
satisfy Council concerning the pra"-
ticability of the machine and its
durability.
Mr. Glenn was opposed to the pur-
chase OF machine without first go.
Ing into the specifications of the two
machines furnished by the com
panies when they submitted their bids
to the city.
Mr.. jennings stated that ne was
still OF the same opinion concerning
the pumper as he was when the
matter was up at former meeting
OF Council, but that hen the discus
sion was as to the choice between the
pumper and the auto truck. He con-
sidered this the weight matter
that had come up for consideration
during his administration and he
vented to see 1t decided properly.
He mad given the matter much
thought since the former meeting of
Council when the matter was dis
cussed and he had come to the con-
clusion that at the present time the
horse drawn apparatus was what the
city ought to buy. He thought that
the pumper was a good thing and all
that but on account Of the present
financial condition of the city. the
fact that Sumter was not such a large
town that the horse drawn ap-
paratus could not run to fires in the
limits, and because Sumter could not
at present afford to keep a paid fire
department. the hose wagons and
horses were what this council ought
to buy. He had had trouble with
automobile tires himself and he knew
what an expense it was to keep ther,
in repair and he did not think that
at this time 1t would In the end be a
saving to buy the pumper. He had
talked with the chief Of the fire de-
partment about the matter and
thought 1t over fully before arriving
at this conclusion
Mr. Wright then made a motion to
purchase the wagons and horses. Mr..
McKeiver thought that the former
resolution Of Council ought to be re-
scinded before Mr.. Wrights motion
was in order. Mr. Glenn here again
stated the need Of a hired foreman
for the fire department house and his
statments were endorsed by Messrs.
McLaurin, Cuttino and Booth. Mr..
McLaurin especially spoke in favor
OF placing we'll paid foreman in
charge OF the department building.
Mr.. Wilder seconded Mr.. McKeiver's
motion to adopt the report and rec
ommendation Of the fire department
committee. This motion when put
to a vote was defeated by vote &c
three for and four against it. Mr..
Rhame not voting.
Here question of parliamentary
law came up for the Mayor to de-
eide. Mr.. McKeiver stated that he
thought that the former action IF
council In deciding upon the pur-
chase OF an auto pumper should be
reconsidered before motion could
he In order for the purchase of 9th
er fire apparatus. This motion for a
reconsideration must come from tho
Affirmative side Of the question and
no one on that side was willing 10
put the motion for vote. The Nav
or lAI