Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-07-13
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BOND ISSUE AGAIN.

The matter of properly equppng the fire department at the city
is matter vital importance allow matter ct anger "r
neece TO enter into the controversy is not matter IN winch
the present council particularly interested personally as el are
comparatively light property owners and the Te-aard Is OF no
more importance them any Ottawa who owns ms
own home or its contents TO the city whole It Is OF the great
est possbe Importance big manufacturing plants
be DESTROYED and the calamity would reach every citizen IN
Ottawa The employed would be thrown ont OF work. ie
merchants would suffer proportion the size OF the industry and
the feeling of depression would be most tarreacg III us 'c
Even if the asked the proposed bond ISSUE represented III
additional tax (Which does would be the cheapest insurance
any property could take taking into consideration the
feno f security instead of panic the fire bell rings
But the bond would be additional tax Distributed over
pod Of ten wears the essencd the upkeep of the depart
ent would paw the bonds; meanwhile would have something
Without the equipment would pay ont the same or very
nearly the OF money and have nothing at the ed o
the period and protection worth considering the meanwhile
There feeling OF resentment at the actions OF the council
in some quarters Of the city, whether justified not should cut no
figure this poor policy for anyone to cut off his nose
to spite his face No feeling of against the council
of lis members should allowed Interfere with matter
vital as this for the preudced cannot but admit the de
poac condition of the fire department apparatus at present hat
every citizen may be satisfied that the movement 10 reatate The
department unsesh and solely for the best interests OF the city
would suggest that committee OF representative citizens be selected
TO act conjunction with the council in the selection and buying
of the apparatus The Chamber OF Commerce the Business Men As
ISOLATION the Rotary and Kwans clubs anu perhaps other
sentative organizations have endorsed the and should be
represented the This would be reflection whatever
upon council but would give them the advantage OF having the
Judgment of the best Ottawa addition to their
would silence any accusation that anything could be put
by shrewd salesman and would insure the city the best pos
be buy No member OF the council could righuly resent the
addition of such the buying committee unless possibly he
might feel that OF the glory being taken from him or the
council Such opposition under the circumstances could be taken as
evidence that the offering did not have the best interests OF the
heart willing to make slight sacrifice Tor
the common good.
1t is of the utmost importance Ottawa this time that this
issue should carry and every step that would strengthen it,
should be taken regardless of personal views feelings here
much stake in the buying of this equipment which must last Tor
years. mured get the best and the best udg
Of many practical business possible is not too strong
asaeguard provide that purpose As stated above this bond
the greatest Importance matter of safety property
if of life itself and nothing within should be allowed to
Interfere with its being authorized