The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-04-01
Mayor COfman issues Statement Explain,
ing Proposal TO Be Submitted to
Voters Next Tuesday; Compares
Cost with Present Plan
ISSUE OF BONDS IS
NOT CONTEMPLATED
About Half Of Necessary Funds on Hand
and Installmenls for Remainder;
Reduction Of Insurance Expect
ed but Not Guaranteed

Explaining proposal that is to be
submitted to the voters of the city
next week, Mayor Coffman today is-
sued the following statement:
my object in bringing up the mat
ter of the election. to be held next
Tuesday, April 4th, in conjunction
with the regular election Of aldermen
on whether or not the city council
shall purchase motor equipment for
fire department to your minds, Is to-
enlighten the general public on the
nature of such election, as there Is al
certain amount Of misunderstanding
among the voters and general public
n regard to such election. ~
First, | desire to inform the voters
and tax payers that this is not bond
ssue, but is merely a vote, giving to-
the city council the power to expend
4 sum of approximately $4,000 for the
purpose of purchasing one motor
pumping engine and one roadster to
he used by the fire chief
"This matter has been discussed al
length by the city council and all the
members OF the council have voted to
leave the proposition up to you voters.
We believe that the city needs such
improvement IN fire department, as
some O the horses now serving on the
department are old and we will be-
compelled to buy more horses and
ewing TO the scarcity of such nurses
az We would have to have. caused by
the war, they would cost about $500
or 5000 We must make some ini<
provements, either horses or motor
apparatus and we believe it is more
economy in the long run to purchase
motor equipment, and by doing so we
can dispose of four horses. Our books
show that this item alone is saving
at least S40D per year as it costs about
$500 to feed four horses one year,
While the reports from other cities,
which have more fires than Chicka.
sha has. show that the upkeep of mo.
tor machines is not more than fifty
dollars per year each. All citizens
know that when motor apparatus is
standing idle there is no expense
while the expense of horse drawn APP
paratus is going on continually regard
less Of fire calls.
Second, | wish to state the propo'
siiion as to how we intend to pay for
such apparatus, if the election is in
favor Of same We will have funds
available that can lawfully be applied
upon such improvements to make a
substantial payment down at time of
receipt Of machines. In other words.
we can pay approximately one-half
down when equipment is received, and
can pay the remainder on the lease
purchase plan; that is, we can pay
$3.50 per month, or $500 per year, and
if the valuation of city remains as IL
is at present the city can pay for sucli
equipment in very few years and no
one will ever miss the amount 1t costs
"The inquiry is often made, how
much will this machine reduce the in.
surance rates? In reply to same will
say that we have letters from tho
state rating bureau which states that
by the purchase OF such improve
ments the rates will be cut between
four and five thousand dollars per
year. However We can not guarantees
that the rates will be cut as there is
10 guarantee to US from the rating
bureau. but regardless Of insurance
rates we need the improvement.
q want to close by saying that Il
as mayor OF your city, am heartily id
favor of making the purchase as bes
lieve the city need the improvemontss
Thanking you for your considsras
ton in this matter, am yours for
better service.
o. C0FFMAN. Mayor. Y