The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-28
THE FIRE ENGINE.

pump, together with ladders, etc.
Suffice to say that this machine is
guaranteed to climb any Hickman
hill and thoroughly fulfill its
mission. The same thing is used
at Fulton and other nearby towns
with satisfactory results.
There is considerable objection,
We know, TO this bond issue.
But, we had just as we'll look
the matter square in the face, and
do so from a business point of
view.
Ii this issue does not carry, our
fire insurance companies are go
ing TO pull out of Hickman; at
least, they say so and there is no
law to compel a company 10 oper-
ate against its wishes. You
may say this is all campaign thun
der, but the Courier has no more
interest in the matter than any |
other citizens. You will admit, if
you have kept in touch with facts
that at least a dozen companies
have already pulled out of Hick-
man.
There s a reason.
In 1914 the companies doing
business here received in pre-
miums so, 203. They paid out on
fire losses $32,SlS. Their actual
loses were approximately GO per
cent. They can only hope TO
make money by preventing so
many disasterous fires, and to
prevent them calls for better e.
quipment-and better equipment
means a bond issue.
The companies have continued
in business here because they
were informed that this matter
would be submitted TO a vote.
They are awaiting the action of
our citizens.
With the desired equipment, we
may expect a reduction of from
3 to II per cent on insurance, ac-
cording to the nature of the risk.
This we have from Mr.. Gray, of
the State Fire Board. Without it,
We may not be able to get insur-
ance at any price. Just think for
moment what it means to go UNI
insured.
The biggest argument against
the issue is that the equipment vii
be handled just like our present
equipment-nobody' business To-
look after it and soon will be a
pile of junk. Under such cir
cumstances it would be proper to
vote against it. On the other
hand, Mr.. Moorehead, OF the Pub
lie Service Co, has kindly ten
dered the service of their organ
ization here TO look after this
machine, if the city fathers de-
sire, and see that it is regularly
inspected, tested, and always in
trim for service. This offer is
from a civic interest purely, and
there would be no charge on their
part. Under the supervision of
this eompany-whose business
methods are acknowledged by all
there would certainly be no UNI
easiness about the care and up
keep of the truck. We have 1t,
also, from several of the nine
men, whose names appear on the
ticket for councilmen, that they
will do their utmost 10 see that
our equipment has the attention 1t
deserves, if the citizens see fit
10 vote it. Unfortunately, the o.
dinances make it no one s duty to
look after our fire apparatus at
present. The City Marshal has
given it about all the attention
received, but he is not paid TO do
80, uDT u IL HlH hhbg' IL ehh A'"'
ter, an ordinance could be passed
that would fix the responsibility
and will, if the measure ear
ries. Other towns have no trOu-
Bile in this matter; why can t
Hickman do what others dOH
In conclusion, remember that
something must be done. This IS
probably the shortest way out
of an unfortunate situation. III
the insurance companies do not
pull out, watch for a big advance
in rates. They have on one or
two occasions laid their plans for
sweeping advances, but at the
solicitation of local agents and
other interested citizens have
held up the order, pending the
outcome of the election.
This election is close at hand.
1t is up to you, Mr.. Voter.