Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1913-01-14
AN AUTO FIRE
TRUCK NEEDED
MAYOR MARSHALL AND CHIEF
BEBB RECOMMEND THAT LEW.
IsTOWN PURCHASE ONE.
WILL SOON Be NECESSITY
City Should Aim to Realize Full Bene-
fit From Large Sum Expended on
Its Water System-To Move Into
City Hall About Jan. 2o-Pavna Of
the Business District.

wy Sldt UUOUe JdIs EV-Tdvln0 OI
the Business District.
Chief ]. G. Bebb has suggested to
the mayor and members of the coun
Gil the advisahslity OF giving considera
ton to the purchase in the near fu
ture OF an auto truck and some ad.
ditional equipment for the fire depart
ment. The fire team is a splendid
one, probably one of the very best in
the state. But the horses have been
in service "a number of years and as
the chief says, are not getting any
younger.
"The city is constantly expanding"
said Mayor Marshall in discussing this
matter with the Democrat yesterday.
New additions are coming in and we
have a larger area to look after. Now
We have expended a very large sum
in securing first-class water system,
the chief purpose of which was to in
crease the protection against fire.
But in order to realize the benefit of
this large expenditure-in other words,
to get interest on the money we have
invested-we should be in shape to
make this improvement tell for eff
cheney. The fire team no longer fills
the bill exactly.
While over in Bozeman the other
day l had an opportunity to inspect
the auto truck and see it's efficiency
demonstrated. About seventeen, most
OF us visitors from other cities, got
on the truck and went all over town
and away up to the agricultural col
lege. We came back to the head of
Main street. That thoroughfare is
paved and was icy. For ten blocks
right through the heart of town we
went like the wind. For six blocks
of that ride the auto registered rate
OF fifty-five miles an hour. Going
some? Well, the mayor of Lewistown
felt nightly relieved when the ma
chine finally stopped and we had a
chance to get off. Such truck would
cost us around $500, but it must be
remembered that the cost of maintain
Ing it is merely nominal. My recol-
lection is that the Bozeman auto has
cost the city less than So month for
its upkeep and oil.
"Now with Lewistown growing and
spreading out the way it is, with a
new era upon us bringing in four
story business blocks, our fire team
does not meet the requirements"
City Hall Addition.
In that connection" continued the
mayor, II want to call attention to
the city hall addition. The fire depart
ment is now we'll cared for in con-
venient quarters that will be adequate
for long time. The city officers have
apartments we'll suited to their needs
and we have a nice council chamber.
About Jan. 20 these new quarters will
be occupied. Besides the convenience
to the public and the officials, we will
De saving a snug sum in rent an
nually. Now this addition, complete
with the heating plant, will represent
an outlay of about $4,000. The ex-
pense was incurred because we be-
heved the change was a necessary
one. We could finance it in several
ways, but have not yet formally
adopted any plan.
"Now the city has authority to bond
fer sum of $4,000 in addition to
the existing debt for general pur.
poses. My idea is that at the spring
election we should submit to the peo-
pie a proposition to issue bonds for
say $4,000 to cover the cost Of the
city hall addition and purchase an
auto truck and some equipment, such
as ladders. This would put us in ex-
cellent shape for a long time to come.
1t would enable us to realize the full
benefit from our water system and
would certainly bring us a reduction
In the insurance rate which would
soon cover the amount expended for
the truck.
by making this suggestion now the
people will have plenty of opportunity
to think it over, and we can hold an
election In the spring at the time of
the municipal election at practically
no expense. I hope the people will
take to this plan. In recommending
1t l have only the best interests of
our city In mind and hope that the
suggestion will meet with favor"
Street Paving.
Last year the matter of paving the
business district was taken up for
mally for the first time, and after con-
siderable consideration the engineer
was instructed to prepare a general
plan for this improvement. Then the
boundaries were tentatively fixed and
he question of material came up.
There was strong sentiment in IA
vor of using vitrified brick if it was
.ound that the local plant could pro- |
luce this material of the required |
quality. The conscientious men back |
If that enterprise began extensive ex.
'eriments to determine the point and |
While they were In progress the whole |
natter went over for the year, ex-
;ept that in preparation for the i'm.
1t was decided to install a