The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-04
CITY Commission
THEY ALLOW A LOT OF BILLS,
BUT DO NOT BUY A FIRE
ENGINE, YET.

piled DefOre them, ana a SLOW, wet
snow sitting down outside. The
room was cold enough for an engine
of some kind, and the committee of
]. A. Johnson, Marcus Aus and F. c.
Smith, appointed last week by the
Merchants association, was a favor
able influence. The commissioners
objected that the vitality of the treas
ury was low-which is a chronic all
ment of the city e%xchequer, but they |
were willing to talk ii over in a leis-
urely manner, and look at the pic
lures submitted by a Mr., Root, sales
man for the American-La France fire
apparatus outfit.
1t was urged by the waiting COM
mittee that the rates for the city had
been raised recently, and that the
present apparatus was insufficient
and inadequate for good protection.
Commissioner Johnson desired infer
nation as to why they did not advise
the city of the contemplated raise of
rates. There was also a sentiment in
favor of getting some assurance that
the purchase of equipment would
lower the rates. 1t was admitted
that even without a reduction of the
rates, the thing is necessary, for each
insurer of property is carrying about
33 per cent of his own insurance any
way, and in case of a disastrous fire
he would be a large loser. The com
mission gently and softly admitted
that the matter was serious, and that
they desired to do right. But they
could do nothing further in the way
of considering it than to listen to the
wooing of the committee and the
salesman. Their funds would not al
low them to fill the Christmas stock
ing.
Mr.. Root displayed a be%wildering
array of photographs of the different
apparatus made by the company he
represents, and they listened, enrap-
tured, to the descriptions of four and
six-cylinder power cars, gallons per
minute, tractive power-75, los,
! and as high as las horsepower-and
speeds of SO to so miles a minute
but the siren voice of his suggestive
craftsmanship left them unmoved and
cold. He said that delivery could
not be made for less than $50 work
ing days after the order was received
or until the city burned anyway. So
the commission promised to ook in
to the matter, and authorized an in
} surance mar to write the underwrit-
J ers with a view to finding out just
what effect on the rates a good fight
: ing apparatus would have.
Auditor Rae thought that there
should be some fire protection given
/ the machinery of the power plant be-
fore any other property was offered
2 il, and advised the erection of a new
3 power house. The usual transfer of
I funds was suggested, but, unfortun-
: ately, the electric light fund was the
: only one which offered any POSSIBLE
: tiles in that direction. 1t stacked up
3 to $1O,333, but would suffer consid-
: cradle shrinkage when the bills were
charged from it. After the talk had
e run down somewhat all waited pa
: tiently for a time for something to
g turn up to change the conditions OF
: the funds. But after holding their
hands ON the table for inspiration
s considerable time, and the spirit
making no manifestation, they gave
y it up. But in the spring. or next fall
or upon the occasion of making an,
other levy, or any time in the future
o just so 1t is in the future, they will
well, they'll consider ii again. Sc
the committee yawned in close har.
n mony and went home.
There did not seem to be a very
I close business arrangement made be-
tween the commission and the inter
ests along the railroad in their agree
ment to stand the expense OF two ex'
ira patrolmen on a $3.50 basis
o When the bills for the days George
Roberts and George Farrand served
d during November as special police
d were considered the question arose
There was no knowledge of who wa:
e participating in the privilege of pay
e ing, and there was no written agree.
ment with any one. IT suddenly
struck some of the members that il
d was sort of a funny partnership, anc
y that unless care was exercised the
city would be accorded the privilege
a of paying for il all. Then there are
certain items of the sale of old iron
rent for the ball park, the sale of GER
e tain stone and plank. These latter
items were given to the city attorney
e for collection.
Delevan, of Sioux City, contractor
for sewer work, authorized the pay
ment from his warrant of certain
bills filed against the city. The com
mission had not felt warranted il
paying the balance of the contrac
n until some disposition had been made
Of these matters.
n The 2,000-gallon oil tank is OF
the track, spotted for unloading a
n the power plant. This big drum
q must be unloaded at once, and giver
a temporary installation for the win
ter, for storage of fuel oil for tn,
Diesel engine.
The bond of A. j. O'Lien, for OPP
+ Grating a pool hall, was accepted
There is already a license and bono
in existence, held by the former op
~ orator, and the possibility of its con
re flicting with the newer one was dis
r, cussed. But no action was taken re
voking the former one. A recent rul
ing of the commission makes it i'm
:. r4nlo - x.nxfAr %hA n1n-o c.