Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-03-08
ASK FOR AERIAL TRUCKSWEENEY REAPPON7ED
Two Boards of Council Hold Joint
Session Last Night When Speakers
Advocated Purchase of Apparatus.

The question of securing a nev
truck to take the place of the presen
apparatus known as the Relief Hool
and Ladder was discussed at lengtl
at joint session of City Council las
night, presided over by F. F. Mar
bury, president of the board OF al
dermen. The discussion ended about
9:45 o'clock, after which the recon-
mendation of the fire and finance
committees to purchase new truck
which was presented at the last
meeting, was recommitted to the joint
:, committee on fire and finance and It
is expected that this committee will
Z soon make report.
Before the joint session convened
Councilman Bryan, vice president,
who presided in the absence of Presi-
dent Smith, stated he called the
meeting for the purpose of consider
ing the ACCESSIBILITY of purchasing q
new truck.
President Marbury, after the joint
session convened, also explained the
object of the meeting.
Councilman Foster said the object
of the meeting was to clear up any
differences that may exist in the
minds Of the members of council re-
garding. the need for new truck.
Walter w. Withers, representing
the American La France Fire Engine
Company, was then given the floor,
and he answered many questions pro-
pounded to him by various members
of council regarding the differences
between aerial and what are known
as city service trucks. His company,
he said, sells ten aerial to one of the
city service trucks. Among other
things he said the wires in the city
would not necessarily interfere with
The operation of an aerial truck; one
man can operate a siyty-five foot
ladder On such truck; aerial trucks
cost $10,500 and city service trucks
) $4,000: city service trucks are all
right for towns of 5000 or G,000 in
habitants or cities where they have
more than one truck.
In reply to a query of Councilman
Ballenger. Mr.. Withers said it would
cost about $4,000 each to motorize the
fire engines, and that new motor
fire engine cost $4,000.
1t was explained during the meet
ing that the details incident to pur-
chasing new truck would be ar
ranged by the fire and finance COM
mittce and submitted to council and
different companies invited to submit
bids.
Fire Chief Robert E. Gronau was
given the floor, and in reply to a
query of Councilman Foster said that
if smoke and fire issues from win
dow the present ladders are practi-
cally useless, as the ends arc fire.
ouently burned off. The Chief also
stated that it takes from fifteen to
eighteen minutes to get up the big
ladder Of the truck in case of fire.
He favored an aerial truck from an
economical standpoint. The Chief
also said it takes eight to ten men to
handle the big ladder of the present
truck. and he regarded it as danger
Gus.
John II. Trimyer, president of the
Relief Hook and Ladder Company,
next took the floor. He expressed
the hope that council would give the
truck company an up-to-date aerial
apparatus. Continuing Mr.. Trimyer
said: eve have'a volunteer depart
ment and | don't believe volunteer
company in the country excels it. All
are willing to go anywhere and at
all time. The present truck is thirty
years old, and the company of which
am president contributed $500 to-
wards its purchase mad also gave the
harness. "The present truck is un-
safe and dangerous and out of keep
ing with the progress of the city of
Alexandria. The company is of the
opinion that an aerial truck shoulc
be purchased"
Kenneth w. Ogden, captain of tht
Reliance Fire Company, declared i
was we'll known fact that the pres