Semi-weekly herald., 1912-07-25

Extra team in winter and
spring account snow and
mud ....--........................... 1896
Horses purchased, three -....... 10000
Total for four years IS, ,T429 95
Average per year .-..-................$935. "a
Items charged in other accounts
which are not easily segregated but
which properly belong in the mainte-
nance account of the fire department
would bring the foregoing average to
above the thousand dollar mark. More
over, the purchase of another horse
to replace Logan, nearly superannu-
ated, and Dan, whose life on the de-
partment is limited, disregarding en-
tirely the humane side of the ques-
ton which would dictate the use of
three instead of two horses on the
heavy wagon in use; also the fact that
the outlying districts of the city will
have adequate fire protection, a thing
whicn they have never enjoyed, amply
justify the purchase in the minds of
the members of the council, who long
and earnestly considered the matter,
some Of them being only convinced
after having once voted against the
proposition.
The committee of citizens which re
ported to the council ard whose report
the Democrat reproduces did not con-
slider the matter in its proper light,
as Mr.. j. A. Clay, who presented their
report to the council and who was the
only one of the committee present at
the meeting of June IS, admitted after
a discussion of the matter following
the presentation of the committees re-
port. Mr.. Clay then said, speaking for
himself, that the manner of financing
the purchase of a truck was not un-
derstood by the committee and that
he, after being enlightened on that
phase of the question, was favorable
to the immediate purchase of a truck.
The objection regarding the deferring
of purchase so as to permit of trying
ont in the winter is met by the state
ment that the delivery of the truck
bought will not be made until about
Nov. 1. But there is no doubt about
its performance in mud and snow, for
numerous inquiries made in as many
directions as could be thought Of have
elected almost unanimous approval of
the use OF auto apparatus as against
horse apparatus. The fact is, only
one reply nlade to inquiries sent out
m this phase of the question was un-
favorable to the auto truck and that
came from New Orleans, where con
|ditions are notoriously bad. The last
automobile number of the Literary Di-
gest cites over ninety cities that are
about to buy automobile fire trucks or
auto fire engines and states that the
past year has seen the purchase of
over three million dollars worth of
such apparatus.
The Democrats appeal on account OF
tie pipe line is irrelevant in the pres
ent case. Money appropr i d for the
fire department could not be in any
went be used for the replacement Of
the pipe line and no appropriation is
ing to be increased ~ reason pf
the purchase of fire truck However,
money saved by the use of motor ap-
paIatus instead of horse apparatus
will pay for the motor apparatus. is
this not real economy Would not
the Democrat, if it could buy a ma
chine that would pay for itself without
the necessity for increased present ex-
penditure, jump at the chance? OF
course it would.
Anent present insurance rates the
vI.ter fully agrees with the Demo
crat. But merely to rail against lar
cenous rates will not do much toward
reducing them. A recent letter from
the Rocky Mountain Underwriters as
sociation to Chief Dietrich among
other things contains the following
"Change to motor apparatus should
he followed by increased efficiency and
lowered expense" Three or four al
terations in the ordinances and the
mole efficient motor apparatus will re-
suit in lowered fire insurance rates
Without assuming to speak for the
whole council the writer feels per
suaded that this, as far as it goes
fairly represents the belief of that
body, which, while not infallible, car
not in this instance, at least be ac
cused of lack of interest in the vel
fare of the taxpayers.
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