Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-24

tunity To purchase anything at home
the practice is to go elsewhere" He
favored the purchase of the Knox car
for which Yeggy-Don of this city are
agents.
Fire Chief C. w. Newberry was in
attendance at the meeting and was
asked his opinion. 81 believe the
American-LaFrance car the best piece
of auto fire equipment made in this
country today" he announced.
"You will admit then that the city
purchased the best auto a year ago!
inquired Commissioner NJ. T. Rudgren.
YES" was the reply; "a year ago
thought the Seagrave machine the car
we ought TO have and recommended
il to the commission. However, the
truck was not purchased and instead
an American-LaFrance was bought.
After a thorough test of the machine
which we now have. l am convinced
that the Elmira car is the best and
most reliable fire machine manufactur-
ed
sidering purchasing its first auto truck.
there was considerable difference of
opinion among the commissioners as
to the relative merits of the cars. At
one time it seemed certain that the
Seagrave company would be awarded
the contract, but at the last moment
there was a change in sentiment and
by a vote of three to two, Mayor
ynf-
ing no, the contract was awarded to
the American-LaFrance concern.
Thirteen Bids.
Yesterday, after he had introduced
his resolution accepting the Elmira bid,
Commissioner Hart declared that the
first machine which the city had pur-
chased had proven so satisfactory that
il would be unwise to experiment with
another make 81 believe ii will work
for efficiency and less in the liability of
accidents to have the firemen become
to operating one kind of
he explained. There are
Is bids from 10 different concerns as
follows: American-LaFrance, $4,000,
So, 500; Seagrave company. $4,000; Rob /,
inson company. $500; George c. Hale, !
s.. 900; White company, S5,916.5O; !
Knox company. $4,000. $500; Kissel /
Kar. $500; Peter Pirsch company, 1
$500; How Engine company, S4,95O: /
Motor Car works, $4,000, /
$4,000.
Z. e. Don of Yeggy-Don company, /
addressed the council in behalf of the J
Knox car. We pay taxes here, and |
,an see no good reason why a local |
.r,o
erence in this matter" he declared.
Nothing Personal.
Commissioner Hart took the oppor-
unity to say that he had nothing per-
sonally against the Yeggy-Don com
Dany. but was acting for what he
thought was the best interests of the
,ity.
Chief Newberry stated while the
discussion was on. that the American
-aFrance company was owned by the
Standard Oil company, and the con-
;ern was on the soundest kind of a
financial basis, while the Knox COM
'any was about to be sold under the
ammer.
This statement drew a retort from
ir. Don, who explained that in the
ettlement of the estate of Mr.. Mayo.
owner of the company, the
oncern was forced into bankruptcy.
ut that there was no question of the
acking behind the Knox company.
When the matter was put to a vote.
fter much extended and useless YER
osity, Commissioner Bear was alone
'und against the Observation-Disclosures.
he new machine is not to be shipped !
ntil 30 days, and will make valuable :
dition to the auto fire equipment of
lie city.
Station Not Ready. I
commissioner Hart was authorized
purchase fire MOBILES, helmets, new
ldders and other needed equipment
'r the department. totalling about
500 In cost. He stated that station
o. 4 on Thirtieth street, beween r
ourteenth and Fifteenth avenues.
ould not be ready for occupancy be-
re March 10.