Putnam patriot., 1920-09-24
OLD FIRE FIGHTER OBJECTS
Believes Fire Company Should Stand.
Scores Those Who Voted NO
tContributedl
To the Editor Putnam Pstriot:

Contributed
To the Editor Putnam Patriot:
After reading in your publication,
of the controversy over the matter of
the Hook and Ladder truck, and the
recommendation Of the mayer, the
disbanding of the company, II seems
to me. as an ex.fre fighter, that the
recommendatien is a dangerous form
of judgment
From reliubfe information it is said
that two lives were saved by the SER
ice OF the Hook and Ladder company,
ct the Chiekering House fire. This
one act Ct service was well worth the
payment of 5000 a. the Hook and
Ladder company.
Throughout the whole proceedings
regarding the purchase of motor
ladder truck, and finally the recon-
mendation Of Mayor Marcy, makes II
seem that human life and property at
fires are of secondary concern. That
the citizens OF Putnam were so in
consistent in throwing down the ap-
propriation for the purchase OF a
motor truck. is to be regretted, and
words of ccensure cannot be toe
strongly expressed. 1t is most dan
gerous situation that a city the saze
of Putnam has no adequate means OF
saving human hfe and property al
fires.
Alderman Dean says the city as
paying $500 per year and the men arx
doing nothing, and there is nothing
they can do. What can be done es
the Hook and Ladder company canho'
he foretold by anyone. IL is com
naandeL'- --o.eh the ecIty. fis""ees
but not at the expense of jeopardiz
ing life and property. III is a neces
sity that for the possible saving of lhu.
man life that the Hook and Ladder
company remains intact and respon.
sive to duty Human lives and prop
erty approximately near to the fire
station are worth the services Of q
hook and ladder company.
That there should exist harsh feel
ings by citizens of one section of the
city toward those of the other section
jeopardized, is most unfortunate
and dangerous state of affairs. II is
high time that such citizens come out
of the bralnstorm, and get together
in the interest of common cause
and see TO it that the city Of Putnam
has adequate fire protection, and rea-
sonable pay for service. To wait un.
til number of iives are lost, for the
want of hook and ladder truck
would be disgraceful record for the
city of Putnam.
Perchance that citizens of Putnam
have an opportunity to come before
the city council. they should not ne
gIect 10 tell tho council that life and
property risks demand the continu-
ance of the Hook and Ladder com
pany subject TO service. Also at the
earliest moment reconsider, and pro-
vide ways and means that the city be
provided with adequate means of pro-
lection Of life at fires. What proper
ty owner can foretell that their prop
erty will not need the services Of an
up-to-date Hook and Ladder truck?
The question is not only for the
property owner, but for every eiti-
zen, who in case of fire, is in dan
gerous position. No one is TO blame
but those who were so inconsistent as
to vote down the proposed appropria-
ton for a motor Hook and Ladder
truck. Your life or mine may be sac
rifced for the need of the service of
a Hook and Ladder company, and
motor truck. How soon no one can
foresee. Why take such chance on
life?
r. p. S.