Putnam patriot., 1920-08-06
PURCHASE OF NEW FIRE TRUCK
 TO BE PUT UP TO THE PEOPLE
Fire Department Minus Hook & Ladder Ap- paratus Will Cost $S,O00 to 5000
 Is Badly Needed
Short of Common Counc-Adjourns For One Week
 to Hear Report

Whether the city's fire department shall remain handicapped by not hav- ,ne a hook and ladder truck available for all fires is to be put up to the eiti- zens. The matter was discussed at the regular meeting of the common council Tuesday evening for the third or fourth time. and the council ad- iourf,ed for one week when definite action will be taken which will at least relieve the council from the re- sponsibility of the present dangerous situation.
 No Truck Available
 As tire situation now exists the city owns an antiquated hook and ladder truck. It is a horse-drawn piece of apparatus and there are no horses available to draw it to fire. As has already been stated, it would be pos sible to get the apparatus to a fire Tn the business section by drawing 1t by hand. Outside of the business sec ton the firemen would have to do as best they could without ladders, un- less the ladders are loaded onto some automobile truck and carried to the scene of the fire.
 Danger Has Been Exemplihed
 No argument Is necessary to con vince anyone that a fire department trying to fight a fire on the roof of building or even in the second story, is badly Handicapped if no ladders are available. This sorry spectacle has already been exemplified at the tune the Congregational parsonage burned on Grove street. The Chiekering Hotel fire was another example of the need of ladders Fortunately this fire was nea- fire headquarters and It was nossoble 70 bring ladders by hand. II this had not been possible there doubt less would have been at least one lie lost. as one man was taken down a ladder from the third story, where he had been trapped by the flames.
 Have to Climb to Roof
 Without ladders the department IS handieapped at chimney fires. Sev- eral times the men have been obliged to climb as best they could to the roof of homes where chimneys were blaz- ing. With these examples of need be- fore the citizens it would seem that they will not hesitate to vote the nee essary appropriation.
 Up to Voters
 Certainly there is no argument against the purchase of truck aside from the cost. If the voters had rath- CT let the situation remain as at pres ent and take the chance of having their property destroyed, and possl- bly have lives lost, because the ire de partment has no ladders to reach the necessary vantage point, or to run up to stories where people may be trap ned by the fire, then the common council wants the citizens to assume the responsibility of such possible tragedy and to assume 1t with fuil knowledge of conditions.
 House Burns Before Pump Is Installed
 Befsre a pump was installed on the fire trucl . house burned down De- cause of lack of water pressure, en- tailing a loss much greater than the cost of installing the pump. Assist ant Engineer Ralph Thurston, who has twice addressed the council on the matter of a motor driven piece of ap- paratus fer the hook and ladder com pauy. has seriously urged the council not to wal. until there is great loss of properly, or possible loss of life, to take action ;n realization of the fact that the department needs ladders.
 Fy.t Step Up to Council
 Mayor Marcy has urged the need' the fire committee has urged the need. and tbe mayor has emphasized that the first step, the calling of city meeting, IS up to the city council, but the matter finally is up to the people AS to whether they will vote the mon- ev. He is anxious to have the council take their step and thereby stand re- lieved of responsibility from possible future calamity, and he urged the council, at Tuesday nights meeting, 70 act.