Putnam patriot., 1918-04-05
But Committee Recommends That They Not Be Pressed And That They Be Laid On
 The Table Indefinitely
LEGAL ADVICE TO BE SOUGHT IN STRENGTHENING OUT TANGLE CAUSED BY PLURALITY OF FIRE
 COMPANY ELECTIONS
Special Search Light Returned-No Seats ForM Mayor andC Committee at Hearing.-Council Room
 Crowded With Interested Spectators.

trained, with reference to the re- charging and cautioned against try fore the pressure of the old charge has been safely reduced Also, that chemical hose should be carefully washed out immediately after using to prevent deterioration on account of the acid. The Committee findw these charges sustained.
 On charge No 6 we find that broken eross-chain on one rear wheel was not repaired promptly. This lsfS the truck in condition wi4ere 1t would be rather dangerous to run it, as there was enough loose end to tais chain to cause serious trouble if rs should get caught. The Committee believes that it is unquestionably one of the duties of the Chief to see that the men who are appointed, especial ly for the more important work, should be carefully coached and eau toned to faithfully discharge their duties that through no neglect, or act of carelessness, should the firemen be subjected to any greater risk than is necessary. We find that this care was not taken. The Committee find the charge sustained
 Charge No. T. There seems to be difference of opinion as to whether or not hose should be left hanging after it is dried out. It does seem to the Committee important as a matter of efficiency that hose should be tah- en down, and rolled, and ready for quick use, for it is evident to anyone that there would be considerable de- lay in responding to an alarm if the men were obliged to take down and roll hose after the alarm was rung in. We find that there was left in the tower for more than three weeks five hundred and fifty feet of two and one-half inch hose, which in the event of serious fire, would certainly have been needed, and the officers of the department ought not at any time through inellcieney, or carelessness. jeopardize our city by an act of ne glect as was evidenced in this case The Committee finds this charge sus- tained.
 Charge No. 9. We find that the lad ders on Chemical No. 1 were broken in a run to fire on Woodstock ave nue, at a speed greater than should have been allowed, and the excuse given to the Committee for fast driv- ing was that the department had been criticized for slowness in responding to one or two previous alarms, and they wanted to show the public that they were not going to funeral In the opinion of the Committee it is better to endure criticism than to destroy the truck, and a thousand times better to stand criticism than to jeopardize or destroy life. The Committee finds this charge sustain ed.
 Charge No. 10. 1t is fact plain to everyone that when these chargcs were preferred the Fire Department, especially Chemical No. l, possibly very largely througk the resignation of the old company, was in disor- ganized condition. While the Com mittee do not report deliberate ne- glect of duty, we do feel that there was a certain amount of indifference, and failure to grasp the importance and responsibilities of the office.
 We appreciate the importance and necessity of an efficient Fire Depart ment, and would be glad to recon mend any changes that would bring us anywhere near the degree of efs,- ciency which was evidenced in the old company. Your Committee believes, however, that at this time it would be inadvisable to press these charges any further. and we therefore recommend that they be laid on the table, indefin- itely.
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