New Britain herald., 1916-05-12
GROWTH OF CITY IS
 LIKE 4 FAIRY TALE
New Britain'S Story Told in An-
 nual Report Of Safety Board

| Several important recommends | tions for the improvement of police
 and fire department service are made l in the annual report of the board of i public safety, completed and signed ! by the members today. The report IS
 a review of what has been accom-
 plished in the past and what should 1 be accomplished and can be accom- -
 plished in the future if the commits
 sion is given funds and the oppor- ! tunity to work out it's plans.
 Not the least interesting part Of the report is that section dealing with the growth of New Britain in the i past eight years. Building values have leaped wonderfully making lt necessary to provide tho fire depart ment with improved equipment The growth of the city also has made 1rl- perative enlarging the police depart ment and an insight into the lncfea9" cd work being done by the blue" coated defenders of the city is in structive, as well as being of interest. The report follows:
 The board of public safety pegs leave to present, herewith, the annu2l report of this department, contain ing the financial statements of the fire and police departments and also the fire and police pension funds.
 The necessity for an additional ap- propriation of $1,200 in the police department was due principally to the strike last fall and of S750 the fire department for the purchase Of Q pair of horses not provided in the appropriations.
 Fire Department.
 The fiscal year now closed marked tho installation of an important new piece of motor fire apparatus-a city service ladder truck, which was pur- chased from the American LaFrance Fire Engine company, at cost Of s5,7Oo Various improved equipment for fighting fires was also purchased; among which was Q new ladder pipe'
 A "fy ladder was purchased for the aerial ladder truck a year ago when it underwent extensive, uncN- pected and expensive repairs follow ing the accident going to the Holmes e Hoffman block fire. Rubber tires were placed on the truck and it is now in better condition than at any time in many years. At best how ever, it is old and not at all up to date.
 From the appropriations of the last year tires were purchased for the mo- tor fire trucks, so that there are now a couple on hand ready for emer- gency. A couple of wheels for the motor trucks which may be used in case of need were also purchased.
 In the year 1916-17 three additional pieces of motor fire apparatus will be installed. Two motor pumps, each of 75O gallons capacity, equipped also with chemical tanks and hose-car- rying bodies, and a junior pump of 100 gallons capacity with hose and chemical tank, have already been contracted for. By reason of tho purchase the appropriations were reduced the following amounts: $1,- 900 from the account for supplies for horses; $1.2O0 from the repairs to apparatus accounts, and S2,5OO from the account for the purchase of new horses; total, $5,35O. Tn addi- tion the city is taking advantage Of the saving of $500 on each piece of apparatus purchased, also is obtain ing an allowance of about 5000 for the sale of some of the horse drawn apparatus and by the use of some of the present equipment
 The city of New Britain now has invested in it's fire deparement, as shown by the latest inventory of Chief Engineer Robert M. Dame, the sum of S11S.91O. of which $72,000 Is land and buildings; $36.425, apparatus; s2.4OO, horses; $2,O00, hose; s360, barn supplies; $500. house furnish ings and 1925, supplies in the store room.
 The department now has 9,100 feet of serviceable hose. Recently 500 feet were purchased and 500 more may be required.
 With the commissioning of the new motor fire apparatus New Britain fire department will be in better