Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1920-03-12
CHIEF RECEIVES RESERVATIONS
OF DEPARTMENT MEMBERS
No Reasons for Leaving Department April First
Are Stated In Either Communication
Believed That Men Are Dispeased And Dissatisfied With Re-
organization of the Observation-Disclosures Will Be
Filed.-Statement Made By Associate Members

and an average of 10 men to all still
alarms. That is better average
than any company ever had.
We have been replaced by men
more than half of whom struck and
walked out two years ago as did the
members of the Boston police, leaving
the city without proper protection IN
the business section. Some Of the
other new members are cripples and
four or five others are around 80
years of age and wouldn't go up = 20
foot ladder. We cannot see how this
is going to strengthen the depart
ment.
We feel that these men who left
the department two years ago win
soon be the head ones in No. COM
-pany.
We feel that the trouble that &C.
CURED ut our regular meeting at fre
headquarters February 18th was nm
necessary and that we have been
placed in false light by some Of the
statements since made.
We wish the public to know that
we gave our best endeavors TO he
work Of the department after We vol-
unteered to take the places Of The
men who quit and that we have the
interest of the department at heart.
We believe that the action va have
taken is for the best interests Of the
city and for the department.
Publicity COMMITTEES
The fire chief has little to say, but
does not seem TO be surprised nj tho
action taken While he is not gener-
ally discussing the present situation
he does say that the No. 2 truck win
not be allowed To rust This is taken
10 mean that the truck will be manned
and Kept in use.
The designations SO far have little
effect on Motor Company Ne. l and
in all probability there will be no ma
terial changes IN this company. Thsre
may be one or two more designations
from the company but the newly mp
pointed members who have accepted
the appointments are sufficient NUM-
Der to assure the truck being manned.
II there is trouble. in manning the
No. 2 truck the north end Of the city
will be the most affected. While Ne
No. company will respond to al
alarms as before, there will be no
truck availible in the immediate VI
entity Of Providence street where al
Of the business blocks are Of wood
construction.
In all probability property ownsn
in the north end of the city will want
protection and men can be found TO
man the No. 2 truck by the first 81
April.
There has been much street corner
discussion over the recent turn Of
events and many stories have been
told and some of them printed. The
fact that stands out most prominently
is that the men who have resigned are
not in accord with the present reor-
ganization of the fire department.
Frederick Dumas, captain OF the
No. 2 company. states his position 70
be that he had already sent his resiE-
J nation To the members Of the COM
pany feeling that as superintendent
of streets he should not hold an ONES
l ia the fire department that would Of
necessity call him from his work g.
cry time an alarm OF fire was rung In
| Just what effect these wholesale
designations will have on the depart
ment remains to be seen, but perhaps
it will clear up the atmosphere to have
all dissatisfied members carry oue
their intention to resign and allow
men to be appointed who will work n
harmony with the officials and other
members.
There is one thing sure, this city
wants an efficient fire department and
wants it working tremendously, that
it may be efficient. This is the senti-
ment of all disinterested citizens
that is, disinterested as to the trou-
bles Of the members. but Interested In
having good department.