Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-11-20
CITY FACING NEED.
Of NEW FIRE TRUCK
COMMISSIONER SAYS
COUNCIL DEBATES OVER CONDl-
TON OF PRESENT APPARATUS.
WITH ALL AGREEING SOME.
THING MUST BE DONE IMME.
DIATELY.

That the City of Ottawa is faced by
the proposition of having to re-equip
its fire department by purchasing a
lew truck without any more delay
han necessary was generally agreed
asst night at the regular weekly meet
ing Of the mayor and commissioners.
There was a difference OF opinion l.
TO what pattern and style OF equip
nent was needed. but as fai as the m
,eratiye need OF immediate ACTON l.
Concerned the council was unan-
ousiy agreed,
The matter constituted the suu
total of discussions brought up at
he session. 1t was injected into the
meeting by Commissioner Palmer,
Aho. in referring to the casualty
which befell the present truck at Il
,rucial moment when lis services
we're solely needed to save the HON"
ii Mr.. ana Mrs. Fred Cole, clearly
hCwed that OTTAWA cannot take any
my more chances with its present
quiz ment.
II want 20 call the attention of th'
CunCil to the condition Of the tire
iuck, which as you know, wcnt
,r0ng on US this morning. We are
confronted by the necessity Of buy
ne a new truck. and / want seriou
consideration given The matter, hH
aid.
The present truck is not nCr ncYe.
las been adequate for Ottawas needs
,omething should be provided to give
he city ample and sure protection
gainst fire.
Two weeks ago the present true ,
vas down and we had to use sub
| titute machine. With it We ar
| liable to meet disaster at any time,
| We have had it placed in as good cor
| ition rs expert mechanics can max"
| C., but We have no assurance that
| hesc repairs VIII be sa Is ac Dry,
! he machine has gotten 10 the pcint
| here is never will be depenuWCrthy
ny more.
! This truck has only gone 1000
! lilies, speed meter figures, yet it has
! cen back to the factory twice, and
| ne com ANY has sent mechanics her
| rerair and now L l., virtually done
is subject to these spells because
| II faulty construction,
| Mayor Weeks advocated the rur
base of two small trucks instead G.
| making one large expenditure for a
| ig machine.
"Pers nally." said the mayor, ="
| hink these big companies WHO mana
actule ire 2, Daratus pile Oh Il lot o
! .nCSSential fancy stuff and then slai
| II equally fancy piiCe on their prod
ct, and the fellow who gets the blow
the city that buys from them
would favor the purchase of two small
rucks, which probably could be pur
| hased al much less money than on,
I these big affairs and give equaIll
Is much, if not more. satisfaction
low much, Mr.. Palmer, do you thinh
new truck would cost-one thai
would meet UP with your require
lents?' he interrogated
About $4,000 responded Mr.
'almer
! Nv ell. ii you are going to spenc
| lU,l for a truck, Tor one don
now where you will get the money,
nswered Mr. Weeks.
| Commissioners Dougherty Bradle'
nd Sticklen had no fixed ideas OF
hat should be purchased Tor thc cit.
| apartment, announcing themselves
being willing to leave that re-"
in those better verscd in the us
fire apparatus Commissions
! Cugherty took issue with Commits
| Toner Palmer on the service given b,
he old truck and affirmed that th'
machine had done good work in it
ay, but probably now it was becon'
ng useless for city purposes
Commissioner Palmer suggested
ond issue upon which the people o
| ottawa would vote, and though no ten
alive plans were agreed upon for gel
, ing the proposal before the publ
ne possibilities are that the matte
ill be more thoroughly gone into a
II early date and an election dcCide
pm. The proposition will also cor
lin clause providing for the reha
iltation OF the police and fire alarl
ystem. which in all probabilities vii
,ost approximately another Sc, 0Go.
| Commissioner Palmer announce
nat the truck now serving the city 4
| place of the dead one was supple
~ J Ward Cunde, who hurriedly III
,ressed it into the citys service, a
| Don as he was tod the fire truck wa
ut OF commission. The loan OF In
ruck viii tide the department owe
'ntil repairs have been made on IN
| tvs own machine.