South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-03
PURCHASE OF FIRE
APPARATUS STARTS
COMMITTEE FIGHT
Members Call Halt and Ask
For Demonstration of
Both Machines.

After a verbal combat that in
short time would have reached the
heat Of 40 fistic encounter an armis-
tice was signed by the committee Of
the whole Monday evening after de-
batting on the purchase of the Amer
lean LaFrance. or South Bend Motor
Co. apparatus for the local fire de
partment. Which of the two pieces
OF apparatus is nearer mechanically
correct Will be decided by the mem
bers OF the council Friday evening
at $3.50 o'clock at which time dem
onst-s ton of both machines will be
held IN the Studebaker yards. ac-
Cording TO the final decision reached
by the committee after it's prolonged
discussion.
Some little time ago the board
of public safety advertised for BIDS
on three motor bumpers and hose
wagons. After receiving the bids OF
both companies the contract was
awarded 10 the American LaFrance
Co. subject to the approval of the
common council. The South Bend
company Overbid the American La
France Co. a little over $4,000.
Feeling that the local concern did
not have proper chance figures
were presented at the last council
meeting by Councilman Edward
Luther showing that other cities had
purchased similar apparatus as ad
vertised for by the City of South
Bend at q considerably lower figure.
At this time the resolution was re-
ferred TO the committee Of the whole
for further investigation.
Read Letters.
At Monday evenings meeting Of
the committee, a letter was read
from the chamber of commerce ad-
vocating the purchase of the appar-
atus from a South Bend company, If
possible; also figures showing the
purchase of the American LaFrance
apparatus by other cities Al lower
price than that quoted the South
Bend officials. William Ditch, rep
resentative of the American la
France Co, strongly denied the ale
cations made against his company
and endeaVored 10 show the commit
zee OF the whole how the prices or
fire apparatus were governed accord
ing TO the extra equipment specihed-
Mr.. Ditch further stated that,
should the committee desire. he
with affidavits attached showing that
would present the contracts or copies
the American LaF'rance Go. used
only one price on all its apparatus
sold However. according TO MI
pitch. the company does sell a
cheaper machine than the one sPeci-
fled for the city OF South BEND ana
in several cases this was the mae hiile
sold 10 the cities in question. Ihe
American LaFTance will no Longer
tolerate such tactics from compel
g.-.ar nd -
ond time that this has occurred
some action Will he taken, conclud-
cd Mr.. Ditch.
Debate on Merits.
The committee debated for some
time as 10 whether the machine con-
structed by the South Bend com
r,,Dv would last as long as the one
ordered by the board OF safety. Al
prcsent the city is using one La
France pumper and one pumper pur-
chased from the predecessors CT the
South Bend company. SeNera! mem
bers Of the committee feel that the
machine built in South Bend has
not passed the experimental stage
and il would be unjust 10 the prop
ertv owners 10 eNpend such large
amount for public protection where
there is any uncertainty.
During the recent lit dt eliN
Sudebakor lumber yards the pump
or purchased from the So1th Bend
company was put out OF commls-
sion owing TO the fact that consider
able dificulty was encountered IN
securing parts 20 make repairs.
Horace Kimbau, OF the Studebaker
Corporation. appeared before the
committee and stated that several
tines the corporation has suffered
severely from fire loss because or the
fact that the pumper would not
work and added that the loss during
the recent fire could have been cut
down from $40. 900 to $4,000 had
the South Bend pumper been IN
working order.
Councilman Charles Boyer stated
that he was in favor OF giving the
local company every possible oppor-
tunity 10 make good even though It's
machine might be classed in the
experimental stage. His contentious
were borne out by Councilman
Luther
Dr l.. !. Smith. president OF the
(CONTINUED OK PAGE FOUR)