Putnam patriot., 1914-05-01
PUTNAM BUSINESS
 MEN MEET
Believe Citizens Should Vote on Fire
 Equipment
Think Existing Conditions Warrant
 Appropriatteu

Appropriation
 The Putnam Business Mems assoeia- tion at meeting in Odd Fellows hall last Thursday evening, E. NJ. Whea- ton, presiding, passed upon several im- portant matters the most prominent being the discussion of the fire equip. ment of the city.
 Recently the officers of the assoeia- tion seeing that some action was nec- essary, sent resolution to the city council recommending that the city purchase an sautomobile chemical fire apparatus, tSat a whistle be added to boots be procured for the department, and frequent and systematic test of the hydrants be made. At that time the council referred the matter to the council fire committee, who since then have been making careful investiga- tion of conditions in other cities and towns, and an informal report was made showing cost Of apparatus and methods followed in other places
 Middletown is good example of efficiency. Some four years ago that city purchased machine costing $500. Since then they have had an average of over 60 calls per year, and their total expense on the machine has been S113 aside from the mechanic who cared for the same and drove it. They have paid men to handle the machine, and this seemed to be one of the prin. cipal objections to it's adoption in Put nam until it was learned that M. R.. Joy, an associate member of the fire directly beside the engine house had volunteered to drive the machine, and in case of his absence one of his eXpe- rienced men would otfieiate, this for a term of two or three years.
 Middletown reported a costgof four horses for four year period to have been nearly s4O00, showing that the cost of operating and maintaining the | machine is much less than the horse drawn machine. The results obtained in getting to the. fire in quicker time, thus getting control before the fire had gained great headway wefe Of decided advantage.
 Several recent fires in Putnam have been what are termed 'ehemical fires that is they eoaId have been more ef- fectually handled with chemicals and the loss by water would have practi- caliy been eliminated.
 The proposed machine would have a tank with capacity of eighty gallons, carry a 30 foot extension ladder, 1900 feet of fire hose, 300 feet chemical hose, hand chemicals, ,and room for ten men. It was also suggested that more tap pers be installed in the homes of the firemen making them less dependent on the fire alarm bells.
 Remarks were made by Mayor Mac. donald, C. s. Andem, E. c. Morse, G. l.. Baldwin, V. V. Reed, E. NJ. Whea- ton, ,and others, and 1t was brought out that the insurance rates would in. crease unless added fire protection is secured. Members of the association who have examined conditions in oth- CT places say that Putnam is lacking in equipment. The following resolu. tion was passed and will be presented to the city council:
 Resolved: That the Putnam Busi- ness Mems Association spetitlon the city council to call meeting of the voters to ascertain if the city will pur. chase an automobile chemical fire ap- l paratus.'
 It is probable that the council will call special meeting to vote upon the matter and that it will meet with the full approval of the citizens The association has fifteen up to-date committees all working in harmony and obtaining satisfactory results, and many exceptionally fine plans are un' der way to improve city and town con. ditions and make Putnam a prosper | ous city.
 Much enthusiasm is'being shown in regard to cleanup week, ana 1t is safe to say that Putnam will shine when this committee which consists of four. teen sub -committees,g gets through with | it's work.
 The annual meeting of the associa. ton will be held Tuesday evening in Owls hall at o'clock.