Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-02-17
FIRE QUESTION
At So. AMbOY
How to Take Care of Depart
ment in Best Way is Taken
up by the Common Council
pr sns.ia, corrs.ponaen,

BY Special Correspondent.
SOUTH AMBOY, Feb. 1.-THE
firemen came in for their share of
attention at the meeting of the men,
bers of the common council, held
last night in the mayors Office of the
city hall. What shall we do with
them? This was the burning ques-
ton In the mind of every councilman
present. They realize that the pres
ent condition of the fire department
is d~eplorable. Yet they also realize
that the city cannot afford to spend
any great amount of. money for
equipment and new buildings.
Some of the members are more
or less favorable to the suggestion
made by Chief Smith regarding the
cut in numbers. Another favors the
merging of the two downtown COM
panies, while others favor maintain
ing all as at present. At the pres
ent time the only serviceable appar-
atus in the city that is owned by the
city is the Selden fire truck. Up to
the present time this has never been
assigned to any particular fire COM
pany and as a consequence 1t Is not
properly cared for. The Mechanics
vile Hose company has a privately
owned machine that is n good con-
dition. The downtown hose com
pany and the Protection company is
without apparatus of any kind.
The suggestion was made last
night that all the apparatus in the
city be stored in one central fire
house. That this building be some-
thing that the fremen would be
proud of-give them club room ia
cilities, meeting hall. etc. 1t was
pointed out that with such a build
ing, all the fire companies would be
together. The sectional feeling as to
who would get the most credit would
be forgotten, the overhead expense
of janitor would be reduced and with
something to work for the morale
of the firemen would be better. 1t
was pointed out that with a fire
house in the central part of the city
the firemen could get to any section
of the city within a few minutes.
The council now awaits the re-
ports of the various secretaries be-
fore It takes any decisive action.
The purpose of the meeting last
night was to consider ways and
means of financing the city. At the
present time there is over 800, 900
in outstanding temporary notes
against the city on account of the
water works construction. 1t viii
be recalled that the council author
lied an issue of 100000 worth of
water bonds at five per cent. that
have not been sold as yet. The ques-
ton now is, shall the city sell these
bonds at a loss (less than par value)
or shall they hold these bonds as
treasury stock and reissue new
bonds at a higher rate of interest.
The majority of bond men who have
been brought into the consultation
have advised six year. six per cent
bonds.
A representative of the Grant com
pany was present last night to offer
his assistance and advise. R. c
Stephenson OF the First Nationa
bank, and d. w. Reed of the Trust
company. were present, together
with the city fathers. these men went
over the bond situation in detail
They will investigate further and ad-
wise the council before Tuesday
night, the next regular meeting OF
that body. 1t is likely that some
definite action will be taken at that
time.