The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-04-02
: ,e City Council Voted to In.
vlte Demonstrations
WITH AID. DAWSON OPPOSING
Spirited Argument Enlivened Regula,
Meeting of Council Last Night; Ma
Jority Found to Be in Favor of
the Purchase of Truck.

Another chapter Of Barre's auto fire
truck purchase was written by the city
council last night, when motion was
carried that the fire committee be in
structed to arrange for demonstration
with a view to the purchase of a machine
II the requirements are met This action
followed an attempt to place the present
city council on record as favoring the
purchase ian appropriation of $500 was
made by the previous city council and
still holds) and the motion was accom-
panied by the most notable speech-mak-
ing shown in many weeks.
Alderman Dawson of the fourth ward,
one OF the two new members of the coun
ell came out strongly opposed to the pur
chase on the ground that the present firs
department is so efficient that the new
equipment is not necessary. while Alder.
man Patterson of the second ward, the
other newcomer, apparently favored tile
acquisition The council did not go on
record except as favoring the demonstra
tion, although it is known that the ma.
lority is for the truck Alderman Daw-
son alone voted mo on the motion tc
have q demonstration.
The matter first came up when Alder
man Rossi Of the fire committee asked
for q resolution ratifying the action of
the previous council in appropriating
$500 for such a purchase; ne said he
was not satisfied with a simple motion
of ratification because the money had
been appropriated by a previous council.
whereas the purchase would have to be
made by a council, some of whose mem
bers had not voted on the proposition.
Mayor Thurston interposed that the
council is spending money every day that
was appropriated by the previous coun-
ell, and SO he didn't see that the ratifca-
tion was necessary.
After considerable talk as to the neces.
sity OF the ratification, City Clerk Mac
kay drew up a motion, to this effect
That in view Of the fact that the city
council has appropriated $500 for the
purchase OF an auto fire truck that the
FIRE committee be instructed to arrange
for a demonstration of machines suitable
to the city's needs. at no expense to the
city. Clerk Mackay drew up the motion
on request of the members.
At this point, the motion having been
put before the council, Alderman Daw-
son presented his opposition to the idea.
Alderman Dawson declared that an auto
fire truck is not needed at this time.
He said he had talked with a great many
people who held the project in disfavor.
Alderman Brown declared that the re.
cent petitions before the council in favor
of the fire truck represented more prop
erty than ever before petitioning, and
men of knowledge OF the situation had
declared the truck the best thing for the
city He considered, too. that if some
of the "kickers" should investigate the
they would change their views.
Alderman Dawson: "Can you cite one
instance when our fire department has
failed to respond in timer
Alderman Brown: Not an instance:
but as citizen | am not satisfied with
the protection given my property"
Alderman Dawson Gould the auto
truck 60 up to your house! | doubt It,,
Alderman Rososi here spoke in favor
Of the auto truck and sad that the in.
itial expense Of il would be less than the
cost Of ncw station for North Barre
and its upkeep for two years.
Alderman Dawson II don't object TO
my up-to-dste fire equipment; but since
came to the council the watchword has
been Keep down the expenses, and now
! think there are other things more
needed than fire truck. | don't think
we need it,
Alderman Brown; lots of citizens
don't know of the conditions; we've had
, lot of luck about fires ] think"
Alderman Rossi: we are not criti-
Using the present fire department. but
We think the equipment not complete.r
After this talk, the mayor put the
notion to have demonstration to a
rote; and the motion prevailing, with
,nlv Alderman Dawson voting against
t. So the fire committee will 90 ahead
md arrange for the demonstration,
Many Licenses Granted.
But this question of an auto truck
vas only one of many matters of bust,
less considered by the council. A total
II 55 warrants were read and ordered
,aid, after which Mayor Thurston at
ached his signature TO them.
The license committee reported favor
,bly on the following license applica-
ions. and the licenses were ordered
ranted: Oscar Borgh, lunch room; Ba-
lilo Dente, lunch room; Holmes, restau-
ant; Snow, hotel +. |. Church, lunch
oom: G. L. Woodworth, lunch room;
)iversi, ice cream; Vermont Fruit Co.
unch room; New England Fruit Co., ice
ream; Carroll pool room; John Cleary
; Son. pool room; II. Diversi. pool room;
/ H. Davis & Walter Kierstead, restau-
ant; Ernest Letourneau, lunch room;
William Murray, lunch room.
Adverse reports on applications for
ever extensions on Johnson street ard
n Smith street from the street commit
ee were accepted; and the application
OF sewer extension on Orange ami
liberty streets was referred back for es-
innate of the expense of construction.
X. +. Prouty appeared before the coun-
il and applied for the position of in
pector of electric wires. in case the
ouncil should create that office. The
natter was referred to the chairmen
{ the fire and Legislative committees.
Former Building Inspector J. A. Field
eported five minor permits granted BY
i'm in March; and the report was ac-
,pted The present Inspector. G.. NJ
and. reported favorablv on LcChir &
IcNulty's application for a permit -
,ise part OF the roof Of their granite