Connecticut western news., 1920-11-18
CANAAN FIRE CO.'S
 TRUCK COMPLETED
Increased Efficiency May Re- duce Insurance Rates of
 the Canaan Fire Go.

will be on exhibition at the fire house Sunday afternoon. AS it is unusual ] for a town of the size of Canaan to have such a valuable piece of fire fighting apparatus, the readers of the News may be interested to know little of the inside story connected with the procuring of the truck.
 In the spring of 1919 the Fire Company decided to increase their fire fighting efficiency by having combination chemical and hose auto truck. A committee was appointed and in the Fall of last year Rec speed wagon was purchased. This truck had been used by the Great arrington-Monterey stage for some time but was in good general condi- tion. The truck was thoroughly over hauled, the rear springs strength ened, high tension magneto ignition, etc. added, in order to adapt the truck to the new requirements. A double 35 gallon chemical tank unit was purchased from the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company and the work of constructing the appar- atus begun. With one or two excep- tions the entire labor was donated, the members of the Company work ing night after night until Il and 12 o'clock. B..
 There have been many discourag- ing nights but the spirit which has kept the Fire Company in active existence during the last ten years finally triumphed and the completed truck now bears witness. Iron by the yard has been hack sawed, holes by the dozen have been drilled, and if different townspeople outside of the Company had not given very gen. erously of their abilities and ma-f terial it is a question if the truck could have been constructed. When finally completed mechanically, it was decided that the truck should have a real fire department appear ance and it was voted to have H.. E. Mead of Winsted, the automobile painter, put on the finishing touches. The truck is now in the paint shop, but will be brought home either Fri day or Saturday of this week. r-t--i.sl
 When fully rigged, its equipment will consist of the following two 35-. gallon chemical tanks with 200 feet of chemical hose, 800 feet of 2s inch standard water hose, two three gallon hand extinguishers, two Py- rene extnguishers, 12 coats, six pairs of boots, one 24-foot extension ladder, gas search light, siren horn, portable electric search light, two nozzles, crowbar, axes, wrenches and other fire fighting paraphernalia. By way of comparison, one of the fire companies in Winsted recently purchased Rec single tank combin- ation chemical and hose truck, ready built, for which $3,500 was paid. The Canaan truck will cost between $1,80O and $1,9OO and will possess the added advantage of having two chemical tanks instead of one In order that the people of the village may see the truck it is planned to parade it with the company Thanks giving afternoon, leaving the Fire House at 3:30 o'clock. The entire village will be covered, although the exact route has not been determined. If stormy, the parade will take place the following Sunday afternoon. As the company have great deal to be thankful for, it is hoped that the townspeople will be charitable if the boys are a little noisy in their dem onstration.
 A partial list of those who have helped with either money, labor or materials is here given. G. H. Trieschman, W. W. Burghardt, L. H. Adams, Conn. Power Co.,, United States Tire Co.,, H. E. Mead's paint shop, Gladys V. DeHart, Mrs. H. D. Humphrey, Brewer Bros. garage, John R. Fuller, William Beilkie, Johnson 6 Lindell, Borden's, N E. Lime Co.,, Mrs. L. B. Smith, A. A. Lawrence, c. D. V. Barnes, Wallace Canfield, Mrs. E. M. Carter, Mrs. H. A. Peet, Mrs. F. F. Clemans, E. W. Warner, Misses Granger, James Graney, Miss A. M. Brown, Mrs. A. K. Rhoades, Miss Emma A. Lawrence.
 In order to provide greater com fort for fighting fire in cold weather, additional coats and boots would be very desirable, but the Company treasury will not permit this added expense at the present time. A regulation bell for mounting on the fire truck would be very acceptable although it would not add to the fire fighting efficiency of the truck.
 When the parade passes your house, if the Thanksgiving spirit makes you want to help The Canaan Fire Company, you may draw your check in favor of Harry A. Holt, the Treasurer. Anonymous communica- tions will also be accepted, with thanks.
 The insurance inspector has an- nounced that an inspection will be