The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1921-12-22
NO FIRE TRUCK

lTHOSE who were opposed to the
j purchase of a fire truck voted at
Saturdays election. Those who were
not opposed didn't vote and the cleo
ton was lost, and now those who for
got to vote are surprised that the fire
proposition failed to carry.
AS always is the case with any
public issue opposition was created
in part by false rumors. The report
was circulated that the purchase of
a fire truck would mean the MAIN
tanning of at least two paid firemen
at high salaries. Not only is this not
true but the facts are that the only
hope for anything like efficient work
with the present equipment is to hire
one or more men and keep them at the
fire station at least during the night.
The strongest opposition to the pro-
position came from the suburban dis
tricts where there are no or few n.y.
drants. Residents in these districts
took the viewpoint that they are un-
willing to vote additional taxes for
something from which they derive no
benefit. Such a view point is erron-
eous. The far-out residents are the
very ones who need better fire pro-
lection. As long as some parts Of the
city are in reality farming districts
it will be impractical to maintain
enough hydrants so that all homes can
be reached with hose that can be car
ried in hand carts. Had the fire truck
been purchased it would have carried
1000 feet of hose and many homes
that cannot now be reached would
have been brought within reach of the
MIGRANTS.
Again, the fire truck would have
been equipped with modern chemical.
Nine out Of every ten fires can be ex-
by the use Of the chemical
if it can be gotten to the scene in
time. A chemical that cannot be got
ten to fire while it is yet in its in
cipient stages might as well be left
in the station. The present hand
drawn chemical, particularly at night. |
cannot be gotten to fire in the SUBJ
urban neighborhoods in time to be of |
any use, yet the only protection
homes in these neighborhoods have,
save bucket brigadpe, is the chemi-
cal.
After all, whose business is it to |
put out fires in this town? For in
stance if fire breaks out in the home |
of Mr.. Blank, Of the Garden Tracts, or
in his business building, or the rented |
dwelling he owns up town, whose bus
mess is it to turn out from their beds
at night, or leave their business or
their jobs by day, and fight the fire? |
Mr.. Blank is unwilling to vote taxes
upon himself either to maintain paid |
fire department or to adequately equip |
a volunteer one, yet he expects some
body to put out a fire if it breaks out |
III Ills PIOPcfCy.
Kennewick's fire department is a |
few men who have volunteered to |
train themselves to handle the fire
to answer the fire alarm
day or night, to endure exposure, and |
perhaps risk their lives to protect |
from destruction by fire.
True enough, they are paid nominal
sum for turning out to fire, but the
compensation they receive isn't enough
to pay for cleaning soiled clothing or
to cure cold contracted while fight
ing fire. But because they have vol
unteered the public sits back and ex-
poets and demands service of them.
they resign? Are the men
who voted against the purchase of a
fire truck willing to volunteer and
man carts and the nozzles and take
the damnation of the public for fail
ure to do a good job with inadequate
equipment?
The city needs better fire equipment
and it is to be hoped that disastrous
fire will not be necessary to convince
the people of the need.
WILSON TRANSFER, fuel hay and