Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-08-21
CONTRACT PLACED
TO EXTEND PAVING
city be given to each, the wife and
mother of Joseph L. Crixell.
w. S. BLACKSHEAR,
BERNARD l.. CAIN,
c. H. THORN,
Continued from page one.)

w. S. BLACkSHEAR,
BERNARD l.. CAIN.
c. H. THORN,
Committee.
This goth day of August, 1912.
Upon motion these resolutions
were adopted and ordered spread
upon the minutes Of the council.
Standpipe the Necessity of the Hour.
Alderman Kirk then presented the
following resolution:
To the Mayor and Board Of Alder
men Of the City Of Brownsville,
Texas.
Gentlemen-Not alone on account
Of past losses by fire, or the fact that
by the grace of God our city still
stands, but to take an initiative
toward the future prevention against
what is liable to happen.
/ am obligated to do my duty as
an alderman, as all other city Of
ficlials are, from mayor down. Be
fore and since | entered this council,
| have heard and know to what eX-
tent our city has been and is now
exposed to destruction by fire. The
unaccountable fac" that the city so
far has escaped is no assurance for
the future.
AT the present we have an unsafe
water system. Usually at the COM
mencement of past fires there has
been a scarcity of water, with little
pressure, and oftimes neither water
or any pressure whatever. A break
in our present overtaxed machinery
at a critical time, and with nearly
two miles of direct pressure, and
with weak pipes, would leave our
city helpless. and especially with a
strong wind the chances are good
that we would be wiped off the map,
unless some safe means are provided
to check a fire at the start.
Personally there is no intention
Ito reflect or interfere with the wa
ter and light committee. or in fact
with any other committee, but
rather to assist them in their worthy
efforts for the betterment of our
city whose citizens have elected us
IN Officially urnrly IN hnrnonnu ar
for each of US to share our proper
amount of responsibility and work.
l have often wondered whether it
was my youthful appearance, lack
of experience or business qualifica-
ton which caused our mayor to
practically obliterate me from mem
bership on the standing committees
iof this council, which has to an ex-
tent impaired my usefulness as a
councilman. This being the case |
am enabled to become a free lance in
all matters pertaining to the general
good Of our city. | have the time
and inclination to so act and under
no condition will | allow myself to
be a %igurehead.
Our duty here is to act, but as far
as | know the subject matter now
on my mind has consisted only in
talk up to this time in this council.
Something must be done. The fact
is apparent to our citizens and
should be to us as their representa-
tives.
A standpipe is the necessity Of
the hour. 1t will take the extra
strain from the pumps and will en-
able the machinery to be saved, and
not worked to its utmost capacity,
and also with less danger Of a break
down when most needed besides in
surfing a water pressure always and
particular at the incipiency of a
fire.
The general sentiment seems to
favor a standpipe as offering the
most reliable future protection and
the practical solution of what is
most needed.
This measure should be supported
and | hereby offer the following
resolution in order that this matter
be brought before the council:
Believing this city should have a
~standpipe, be it resolved that this
council advise and instruct its mayor
to appoint a committe and take such
action as he deems proper to accom-
pish the end in view.
Yours for action,
II. j. KIRK,
Alderman Ward Three.