New Britain herald., 1926-05-06
CHIEF NOBLE TELLS
 Us OUR NEEDS


 that accompany civic enlargement IL is therefore not surprising to learn from Chief William J. Noble Of the fire department that there arc certain needs that appear more necessary today than when the city was smaller. The requirements as pictured by the chief may cost money: but so does everything else required by a growing city. The only type of cities that can get along in the same old way. with tie least expenditure of money and effort, arc tae cities that are not as fortunate as Now Britain in be- ing able to show a steady increase in the various items that go 10 make up tGe totals Of progress.
 Chief Noble can be relied upon 10 talk sense when given the op- porrulicy. In lis annual report to Mayor Weld he accepted the op- portuufty and indicated completely that he was in very good form,
 Who, for instance. can find fault with the chfers suggestion for an fncincrator in which to burn rub btsH, nor with collection by the city of ,ha rubbish? Scarcely any oao. and the only objection that can be anticipated is that it has never been done before in this city, and will cost a little money, The facts are, it costs money now 10 dispose Of rubbish, only the money is paid directly by house holders and not through city taxes. And it also requires more effort and bother than would be the case if the city itself attended to this civic function.
 As 10 the nuisance arising from burning rubbish on city dumps. tho runs of the fire department at times to put out such fires when they become meuacing-and every such run costs the city money - and the doubtful expediont in the first place of ever utilizing city dumps for waste paper and similar rubbisb there can scarcely be a diversity Of opinion. But there no doubt will be some citizens who, while admitting the reasonablencss Of the fire chiefs suggestion, will maintain the city has gotten along to the present time without an in cinorator, such things cost money, and the collection Of rubbish costs money, and - well, it can be put off for a year or two longer, etc. These contentious arc hard to con- bat, but there can be no doubt they have nothing in common with civic progress. Personally we prefer progress and all il entails,
 And then there is tho question of fire station in the west end. There may be many citizens living in other sections Of the city who do not realize there is no fire sta ton in this rapidly growing west end. They ride through it occasion ally along West Main street on the way 10 Plainyille and see some of tAc progress that has taken place. But such progress is more than can be taken in by a feeting glance from an automobile. What is to be one of the largest schools in the city is being built in the west end, am astonishing total of new build iugs have been constructed in this section during the last two years since, by the way, tho national board of fire underwriters were here and suggested such an addi- tional fire station - and an army corps Of garages have been added 10 existing property Factories and additions to such plants have also increased.
 Yet fire houses cost money, not only to construct hut 10 maintain and man. And there will be some citizens who will claim that fast trips can be made from the other fire stations in case of necessity. Bus wa trust tHe mayor will give due consideration 10 the needs as outlined by the lire departments haad.
 As Was 10 be expected, the fire chief again touches mp the subject Of tHa central fire station being va cant when both companies answer au alarm, and wAat is more impor- nn. leaving no telephone operator m charge 10 receive still alarms ..t might be turned in at such 5w,s The condition seems nearly .tHauHous and unbelievable, for what Is tha use Of having a fire department when an alarm cannot as turned in hy telephone at all times. Some day such gambling with raea is going 10 bad to a sorry p@E,a of troubta,
 1..euas. am army officer had r... strong drink in his quarters