The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-10-14

~N''SN al SoiHcCliOH Win MS
search for information concerning
fire apparatus. Mr.. Glenn then
stated that the fire committee had
at recent meeting recommended
by vote Of four. to three the pur-
chase of combination chemical en-
gine and hose wagon. Mr.. McLaurin
moved that this report be adopted.
Mr.. McKeiver amended Mr.. Nc
McLaurin's motion by moving to
recommend the purchase Of a pump
er and hose wagon combined. At
this point the Mayor turned the
chair to the mayor pro tenn and
made a short argument In favor of
the pumper. He said that it was
impossible TO tell what improve
ments would be made In the ma
chine In the next two years. but after
carefully going over all Of the data
which Mr.. Glenn had collected and
some more which he had. he had
come to the conclusion that the
pumper was what was needed in Sum-
ter. He knew that accidents might
occur to the machine, but they also
might occur to the auto truck and
chemical engine. He was satisfied
that gasoline engines could be used
successfully for pumping, as he had
used several on his places for a
number Of years and some of them
had been run by persons ignorant of
anything connected with the engine.
what was wanted was the pressure
and while he was sure that the
chemical engine would not be Of any
benefit for this purpose. the pumper
would be OF service at any time It
reached the fire. and 1t would re-
quire very much less time to start
the Pumper to working than it would
the steamer. even IL 1t was carried
to the fire by the auto truck. He did
not see the necessity for purchasing
$4,000 apparatus for carrying hose
to fire.
The members Of Council In favor
of the chemical engine had little
to say outside Of asking a few ques-
tiones and making a few statements.
The question was called for and by
vote OF five to three. voted against
Mr.. McKeiver's amendment. Mr..
McKeiver then moved the purchase
of an additional hose wagon and a
new pair Of horses. This motion was
defeated by a vote Of three to four,
Mr.. Rhame not voting. 1t wasi~at
this point that Mr.. Rhame stated
that "He didn't know just where he
was at" He said that he had come
to the meeting with the full inten-
ton Of voting in favor Of the chemi-
cal engine and truck, but after
listening to the Mayors argument,
he had decided that the truck was
not the best thing for the city and
he would, even at the risk Of being
considered inconsistent. like to re-
consider his previous vote and vote
Tor the purchase Of a combination
automobile pumper and hose wag-
on. Mr.. McKeiver's first amendment
was again put and was tied by a
vote Of four for and four against It.
The Mayor broke the tie in favor Of
the pumper. Those voting fo the
pumper were Aldermen Glenn, Will
der. McKeiver and Rhame. Those
against the pumper and in favor of
the chemical engine and auto truck
were Aldermen Booth, Wright. Cut
tino and McLaurin.
1t was decided to refer the matter
of selection Of engine to the fire de-
partment committee.
Mr. Cuttino wanted to go on rec
ord as not being opposed to the fire
department. He said that the opin-
ion had gotten out that he was fight
ing the fire department, and he
wanted II clearly understood that he
was not. He said that he had on
several occasions stated that the fire
department was not kept in a good
condition and he still said this. He
said that what he was complaining
OF was the lack Of care Of the
apparatus which the department
now had on hand, not that 1t was
not paid for their services, but that
someone ought to be paid to see that
everything In connection with
the department was kept in good
condition.