Putnam patriot., 1920-10-08
A CHANCE FOR EVERY VOTER
Hook and Ladder Again Before City
 On October 18th

Having found themselves flat up against stone wall in the matter of providing the city fire department with a means of bringing ladders to local fires, the Common Council has once more brought the matter before the voters of the city and they will be given an opportunity to vote on the question for a second time on next Friday. October 18th There can be little or no doubt of the result of this second town meeting. The vote at the last meeting. when first effort to obtain proper appropriation for the purchase of a motor driven hook and ladder truck was small, and apparent ly many people did not vote to whom the matter of adequate fire protection in the city was most vital These and all those who have expressed their surprise at the rejection of the pro posed appropriation Iwill be given their opportunity this time to vote for the appropriation whose wisdom is too apparent for doubt.
 Fires in Putnam during the last winter were numerous and serious. That the department was sadly ham pered in at least one case is a matter of fact. At the present time the fire fighters are helpless if 8 blaze should gain headway on the second Or third story of building until some means have been found for bringing the fire ladders to the scene. This was amply demonstrated when the Congregation al parsonage was burned and the fire men were obliged to stand about help lessiy until the ladders were dragged to the fire by the aid of commercial motor truck.
 The members of the common eoun- eil have no personal interest in this matter except as they are property owners and citizens. The firemen have DO personal interest in the mat ter except as they wish to be able to do their work and do 1t well Both bodies are. however, in position to realize fully the gravity of the situa- ton. There are times when a failure to vote an appropriation IS false economy and this seems to be distinct ly one of those times.
 The local fire department has been depIorably in the limelight for mum Der of years. Probably every citizen will welcome the day when the de- partment. well equipped, is again run hing smoothly and the citizens can unite in praise of the organization, so long pride of the city in years past.
 There is no disputing the fact that there is feeling of dissatisfaction over past affairs and there are those who are so disgruntled, dissatisfied and narrow minded that they are will irg to block every move that will lm- prove the department regardless ot the risk it will entail. There are, however, others who really believe that matters can be left as they are and that through some good fortune or in some manner which they cannot explain. ladders will appear at fire if they are needed. Another element seems to think that some way can be devised to procure the desired result more economically. When asked how it could be done they suggest "some kind of a machine to draw the present truck" but give no definite idea of just what they believe will work effi- ciently
 No man or woman, and the women now have a part of this responsibility, with any intelligence, will be heard to say that a fire department without ladders to use can be an efficient fire fighting organization. If this IS so, then what? Is not the risk that every owner of property is running worth an expenditure of $9,5oo to abate! If it is not then the voters will prob ably so express themselves at the polls i Friday, October 18th.
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