The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-10-18
SPARKS FLY AT
DISCUSSION OF
new FIRE TRUCK
Messrs. Henzler and Thompson
in Heated Conversation with
Truck Representative
RECOMMEND $12,5OO TRUCK
Commissioners Propose to Pur-
chase American La France
Type of Fire Apparatus

Sm0uldering fires of anger sizzled
and burst into flames last night at the
city commission meeting-all over the
question of fire truck.
Sparks flew right and left, there
was sputtering and popping as the
confagratlon grew and threatened to
envelope the council chambers, and
just as someone was about to turn
in a frantic alarm the hot controversy
calmed down into animated, conver-
sation.
All because a representative of
truck company was; charged with hav-
ing been discourteous to the two
plenipotentiaries Of the city commits
sion-C. w. Henzler and H. "A. Thomp-
gsOn--On recent trip to the Twin
Cities to investigate fire apparatus.
Make Recommendation.
After the smoke had cleared away
formal recommendation was made by
Messrs. Thompson and Henzler that
the city purchase a 15O-gallon com
binati0n pumping American La France
fire truck, bid price $lz,500. It was
suggested by other commissioners that
the recommendation be put in writ
ing, which will be done, and submit
ted at 9 special meeting today or the
regular meeting next Monday.
: After Mr.. Henzler, in repressed
tones, announced the committee rec
commended the La France, President
Lenhart invited representative of
the company seeking to sell a White
fire truck to say few words, for
which opportunity be Was thanked.
However, soon after the Twin Cities
salesman started he was subject to
fire from Messrs Henzler and Thomp-
son. The salesman remarked that the
committee did not see White truck
in action during their investigation
trip. The two commissioners flared
up Immediately, charged that the EN-
ployer of the salesman, head Of the
Twin Cities firm, had been discour-
teous to them, having not come out of
his private Offices when they were in
the general offices, and that although
they were ready to witness test Of
the White, no test was provided.
Claims Minds Made Up.
To which the salesman hOtly re-
piled that there wasn't any use Of
bringing the employer cut of his pr-
vate office or arranging test, since
Mr.. Henzler had told him that they
were decided on a La France. Mr..
Henzler protested the employer didn't
know this; also that he and Mr..
Thompson had told him they would
60 out Of Minneapolis to a nearby city
to witness a White test but that It
was not arranged for them, and also
that the White man did not take them
to the company which makes the
pumps for the White truck. The
White man in turn protested that he
said he was willing to arrange the test
if they gave the-wor
The fire melted away and the con-
versation turned into a discussion of
merits of trucks. No change in atti-
tude was made by the committee, how
ever.
Bills were allowed as follows:
swaby Manufacturing Co.. ..... $4,000
Police payroll -. 8400
G. A. Finch Lumber Co. .... 11.9O
Street and sewer department. 1875
Humphreys and Moule ., 1850
G. w. Henzler (expehses him
self and H. A. Thompson to
investigate fire trucks) ~. 1873
Mrs. Herman Ode 3.53