Putnam patriot., 1918-01-25
VOTES TO MAKE COMPANY MEMBERSHIP IN HOSE NO TWENTY-FIVE INSTEAD OF FIFTEEN-THINKS
 SOCIAL FEATURE HOLDS MEN TOGETHER
Company Will Be Organized Once Meeting Harmonious.-Fre Committee Authorized
 to Spend $l0O ForF Furniture.

 cants for further consideration. He thought the men should be chosen from all parts of the city, so the truck could pick up men in whatever direc- ton it might go.
 Aldermen Lapalme asked how many members 1t was intended to have in the company
 The mayor replied that the ordi. nance fixed the number at l5.
 Alderman Lapalme said that he thought 1t would be a good thing if some members of Hose 2 could be transferred, He said that some live near the Manhasset mill and would be handy There were members of Hose No. 2, he said, that had gone away from Putnam but had now re- turned and were willing to rejoin if there are vacancies. He thought that by transferring some experienced men it would be a great help to Hose No. 1.
 The fire committee asked for few minutes more recess and brought in two more names, making the total 9 Alderman Padgett said Don't you gentlemen think that the social feature of the old company kept the men together?" He said that he knew they had social gatherings and thought it brought them together and kept them together, and that he, for one, had rather see the number 25, as this would make more certain getting men on the job when wanted
 Alderman Johnson agreed with AL derman Padgett, but said that under the ordinance all the committee could recommend was l5.
 Alderman Padgett then made a mo ton that the ordinance be amended so that Hose Company No. 1, shall hereafter be composed of 25 mem bers, the Hook X Ladder Company of 15 members and Hose No 2 of l5 members. This was unanimously car ried
 Alderman Duvert asked if the men who stayed at fires to guard against their breaking out and thereby lost days pay were not entitled to reim- bursement.
 The mayor said he thought they were and that the city would be will ing to pay it.
 Alderman Beausoliel said that it was known that the old company had removed all the furniture from their rooas, "even taking the lock from the door," he said. He asked whether the city was going to pro vide new furniture or whether the men would have to buy it. He said he thought some of the furniture should be restored, for he knew there were settees and chairs there, owned by the city, but, "I suppose they have been burned for kindling." he added.
 The mayor asked about the furni- ture in Hose Company No. ? quarters and was informed that the city own ed all but the pictures.
 Alderman Padgett moved that the fire committee be empowered to ex- pend $50 for furniture. Aldermen Lapalme and Beausoleil thought the amount too small Alderman Beauso- lel said he thought Alderman Pad gett ought to make it hundred.
 Alderman Padgett said that he had every confidence in the committee and knew that they would not spend more than was necessary and changed the motion to $100. This was carried.
 Alderman Dean asked regarding the fire alarm system.
 John Daigle, superintendent of fire alarm, was present and replied. He said that representative of insur- ance underwriters from Boston had been in Putnam this week and went over the system thoroughly. The agent recommended, among other things, that system be installed whereby the operator on duty at the telephone office could ring the alarm. This would often save valuable time. If a house caught fire the operator could be called and told where it was She would look on a chart and see what was in the neighborhood and then ring that box.
 Another suggestion was that the alarm system ought to be in fire proof building.
 The present system of tappers is also a bad feature, as it makes many