Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-07
PIG IN POKE, ?"
BURKE ASSERTS.
OF ENGINE PLAN
Objects to Purchase of Fire
Apparatus Before Specifi-
cations Are Read.

Failure on the part Of certain mem
bers Of the Fire Board to read and
| familiarize themselves with the
specifications accompanying bids for
auto pumping engines resulted in the
postponement of the award of
a contract for an apparatus of
this type for at least u week.
| The matter came UP in the course of
yesterdays meeting of the board and
an interesting tilt between Commits
sioners Stratton and Burke figured
in the proceedings.
Mr.. Stratton, who had bundle of
papers containing specifications be-
fore him, moved off-hand that an
American-La France engine be pur-
chased for the measly little 5000
allowed for the purchase of an ap-
paratus"
Mr.. Burke at once took occasion to
say that TO his mind the specifca-
lions We're hazy. They were at least
mystifying, he said.
No, 1 don't think the specifica-
tions are hazy," was the reply Of
Commissioner Stratton.
Commissioner Burke was seen to
smile, and then asked Mr.. Stratton
If he had read the specifications. He
replied that he had. Then question
after question was asked by Commits
sioner Burke relative to the specifica-
lions and these Commissioner STRAIT
ton could not answer.
You don't have to go to factories
or TO catalogues or TO moving picture
shows. to ascertain the relative
merits of engines" went on Mr.
Burke. I'VE have them right here at
our door. The best way to make a
choice is to compare what we actually
know about and not take too much
stock in the talk handed out by sales
men.
IF you have read and digested these
specification in the few minutes you
have had them before you, you are
truly a remarkable man. Why you
could easily adjust that Mexican dis
pute.
II state that I am of the opinion
that the specifications are hazy, as
the American-La France concern does
not state whether the water pumped
per minute is from hydrant pressure
or from suction"
Had Not Read Specifications.
At this juncture of affairs IT was
seen that the other commissioners
had not read the specifications as
| thoroughly as Mr. Burke had.
Another argument used against the
| American-La France engine by Com
missioner Burke as that the engine
has shorter stroke and smaller bore
than the Boyd or Webb engine,
which can be obtained for the same
price as the engine wanted by Com
missioner Stratton.
Fpv77 fescyf y,
commissioners if the American-La
France concern was going TO give the
city the same cahbre engine for S.
900 that the city recently paid S.
500 for. If not, viii the city accept
an inferior grade of engine.
The American-La France apparatus,
according to the opinion of Commits
sioner Burke, fell down on several
recent tests, while the Boyd or Webb
! engine is as good today as the date of
purchase, and the last Boyd or Webb
| engine passed thoroughly satisfac-
| tory test.
The American-La France is a good
| engine, but it is not as good as the
| Boyd engine. This statement is
| proven by the fact that the Boyd ap-
| paratus. the one we have had in SER
| vice for several years, was the only
one in this city which stood the strain
1 or the heavy wintry storms" con-
| tinued Commissioner Burke.
Why, Commissioner Stratton, YOU
| yourself told me that the Boyd engine
was the best constructed engine" said
| Mr.. Burke.
We'll, l do not think I made it as
strong as that, but il is certainly a
| good machine" replied Commissioner
| Stratton, but I want the other en-
| CINE, just as the other commissioners
| want it,"
| A Pig in Poke"
I know all about that" remarked
| Mr.. Burke. 81 have known for some
| time that you gentlemen have made
| up your mind to purchase this other
engine but that does not alter the
| fact that we should not buy a pig in
a poke Let us give the city a show.
We are in the market for motor
| driven apparatus. and it is up TO US
TO get the best on the best terms.
| am saying these things by way of ex-
planning my vote, you know
Il move that we buy a LaFrance
| engine according to these speciflca-
tons suddenly exclaimed Mr.. STRAIT
ton, Shaping a document supposed to
contain specifications on the desk.
What specifications? asked Mr..
Burke, the ones you haven't read?"
Il have read them, or, at least,
haven't had time TO read them as
carefully as you have, perhaps" said
Mr.. Stratton.
But you know so much more than
ordinary mortals like myself" per-
sisted Mr.. Burke. that perhaps you
can tell us how a pump with a short
er stroke and q smaller bore than
another nIlrl1p is er11s9 "a n fppd 70 raps-