Putnam patriot., 1920-04-09

fire department, told the mayor anC
members of the common council, al
the regular meeting, Tuesday evening
that he had deputized two men to &c
to the north end of the city to see II
hey could get members to man Motol
Truck No. 3. These men returned
according to the chief, and reported
that the feeling In the north end of
the city was belligerent and that any,
one who attempted to form COM
uany In that end of the city would
get his block knocked off," This
confirms the story The Patriot carried
last week that threats were being
made against anyone who Joined the
No. Q company.
Alderman Dean Asks For Information
The chief did not volunteer the
above statement, but matters pertain
ing to the fire department were under
consideration when Alderman Dean
said
"While we are on fire department
matters 1 would like to have Chief
Arnold tell the council why we have
Mt men to man Motor Truck No. %"
Chief Arnold Explains
The chief told the council that he
received notice that the fremen Of
No. company were going to resign
the first of April. He said he appoint
ed two men to go up to the north end
and get new members. 1t was his in
tention to transfer five men from the
company at this end and to recruit
the balance of members from outside.
The men appointed to enlist new men,
bers came back and reported that they
could not get men to join. The chief
said that ''induence was brought to
bear" so that men would not join the
company. "We tried to do the best
we could and then brought the truck
to fire headquarters" said the chief.
Chief Heard Threats
Alderman Dean then asked the
chief If he had received threats.
Chief Arnold replied: 81 have
heard lots of things" Some, he said,
he paid no attention to as he thought
that they were "only words" The
two men deputized to recruit new
members returned and told him that
if they attempted, or anyone attempt
ed, to form a company in the north
end of the city, they would "get their
blocks knocked off," "That's the way
they expressed it," said the chief.
Chief Arnold said further that several
men agreed to join the company but
in two days they backed cut. We
made an effort to form a company up
there but we were unable to get men
to join" said the chief. In regard to
threats, he concluded, 81 have heard
lots of things"
Don't Think Company Would Be In
terfered With
Alderman Dean said to the chief:
You don't think, do you, that If
company was organized and sent up
there that they would be stopped or
interfered With"
mo, l don't think So" said the
chief. "Of course" continued Chief
Arnold, with that influence brought
to bear it is hard to form a company
up there"
Tax Payers Anxious
Alderman Dugas of Ward 3 SAID
that the tax payers of the north end
wanted to know whether they are go
ing to have the protection they are
entitled to and what is going to be
done. They feel that they should have
a company up there.
II agree with you," said the chief,
there ought to be a company up
there. but it wouldn't be any use TO
form q company at this end to man .
truck at the other end"
Matter Up to Chief
'Tsn't the matter of forming com
pany up to the chief?" asked Alder
man Dugas. :.
"It u.s." replied Mr.. Arnold, but 1t
is not for me to go up there to recsive
abuse" The chief expressed ms
opinion that it is up to the citizehs -
the north end to overcome the "
fiuence"
ut would be the same in the east
Of an individual, wouldn't II! saio
Alderman Dugas.
No. / Co. Better Able to Give frotec'
81 suppose So" said the eniei. =
will have to stand as it is Inc chiel
said that the city always got the pT re-
protection from No. l Company ~
said that No. Company was hos ?
we'll situated and that the 'rucA
slower and that sometimes the oiiee.
had to go from this end TO tng noa
end to take out the truck ne %" .
that the men were always Wiling =,
respond but couldn't, not as oui'A'
as No. l Company.
Referred to Committee
Alderman Padgett made a mo'io
that the matter of forming compal
in the north end of the city De Z
ferred to a committee TO consist
AHnxnaen Dugas and Beausoieil 70