Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-09-21
CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS FOR
NEW AUTO HOSE TRUCK
Ryneal Hose Co. No. / Wants
Better Equipment.

John w. Dean, With Working Sub
committees, viii Endeavor to Raise
$4,000 BY Popular Subscription
Campaign viii Start In a Few DAYS.
Messrs. n. p. Thorn, Frank ]. Tram.
nell and John w. Dean, three wei.
known business men of Martinsburg
have been appointed by Ryneal Hose
60. No. l as committee to devise
| ways and means for the better equip.
ment of this particular company. This
committee met Monday night at Mr.,
Deans store to talk over the matter
and formulate some preliminary plass
with that end In view.
II was decided to inaugurate cam
paign to start within the next few
days for the purchase of a triple
combination automobile truck, includ-
ing force pump hose, ladders, etc.
While the plans for this compaign
have been pretty well worked out the
committee will not announce them
to the public for a day or two
yet. 1t may be stated now, however.
that the major portion of the money
for the purchase of the auto truck is
to be raised by popular subscription,
though by plan at once feasible and
business-like, and one that is thought
will meet with general approval.
AS has been told before in these col
umns. Ryneal Hose Co, has $500 in
rn fntu ar.dc -
q truck, and the pledge from Mr.. Geo.
Ryneal, jr,, for an additional $500 for
the same purpose. This sum of $4,000
is the nucleus for the amount propos
ed to be expended for the auto truck,
that is $4,000. 1t is given out with
an air of confidence that the City
council will make an Appropriation of
$4,000 to the company, raising the
amount of money in sight to $4,000,
leaving balance of $4,000 to be rails
ed by subscription. This looks like a
large sum of money to'be thus obtain
ed, but the members of the committee
confdentially believe ii can be done
and the donors will not be financially
hurt.
To be sure, cheaper or lower-pric-
ed auto truck could be bought, hut the
committee think that while they are
about it they might as well get some
thing that will fully meet the require.
ments in the case and be a credit to
the city and all individually concern
ed. 1t is to be understood that in the
event of the purchase proposed the
two horses, chemical wagon and some
other equipment of the Ryneals shall
be sold and the proceeds applied to
the auto truck fund. This in itself
would be quite lift ia the direction
contemplated.
That Martinsburg needs better fire
fighting apparatus and more equipment
vas clearly demon strated at tho cost
ly fire at the Stewart Vehicle Co., Sun
day evening. Not only was more
hose needed, but with the low water
pressure, especially during the first
ste res Of the couhagraticn, a force
pump would nave been an effective
auxiliary to the fremen in their
work and this very thing is to be
part of the equipment of the new auto
truck for Ryneal Hose Co.
Another thing is to be taken into
consideration with reference to this
auto truck matter. The Ryneals, equip
ed as they are with a horsedrawn APP
aratus-the only one in Martinsburg
are expected to answer every fire
alarm sent in from any and every sec
ton Of the city, whether the fire is
large or small, or, as sometimes hap
pens, it be false alarm To be sure,
three men of the company are paid a
salary by the city, but that does not
lessen the fact that the volunteer
members of the company are expect
ed to turnout whenever needed to-
help extinguish blaze. This they
have always done and will continue to
do, but why not equip the company
with adequate up-to-date apparatus
with which to more effectually per
form their duties, and not hamper
their work with inadequate and be-
indebtedness equipment Another
big fire is liable to happen at any time
and the lesson may be dearly bought
This, of course, is in nowise intend
ed as a reflection on the other com
panies of town, because they have al
ways done their full duty al time OF
fire, handicapped as they are with an
tiquated apparatus and insufiiciency
of hose.