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Citizens of Mifflinburg, let us reason together, calmly discuss as briefly as possible our duty in regard to providing some kind of fire apparatus for this borough. That it is needed, none will dispute, but what is best to adopt is the question which should soon be settled upon taking into consideration our circumstances. Since an effort is being made to have councils purchase the Connelly or Babcock Fire Extinguishers, some have advanced the idea of water works, whether or not simply as an excuse to shirk signing the petition praying for the first named, we cannot say: but water works are not to be thought of, as they would cost not less than $35,000— a debt burden we could not endure, and therefore, it is idle to discuss water works. But right here we may add that the project of tapping a certain spring or lake on the big hill is knocked in the head from the fact that said lake of water has disappeared— is “dried up”, as stated by a recent explorer. Next in order, then, to consider is a steamer of the Silsby make, which would cost something like eight to ten thousand dollars. The latter sum was about the figure paid by Mr. William Cameron for the steamer now in use in Lewisburg, which was on trial in this place. But with all their hoses attached, they could not get within several hundred feet of the railroad depot. This figure, too, $10,000 with thousands more for hose, etc. is a squelcher and would sicken tax payers most completely— they could not be induced to assume the debt. And now we come down to the only feasible plan, the purchase of two village engines, Connelly make, at a cost of only $900— payment to be made in five years, with interest at four percent. They are the practical things for this borough and why? Because they can be brought into instant use, do their work well, are not dependent upon creeks, springs or wells and are always primed or charged ready for effective work. Suppose a fire were to break out today, with half the wells and cisterns of the town dry, what would be the outcome? We shrink from contemplating the result. Would not our people in such an extremity knowing that these extinguishers are yet in town and although not ours, would not the people, we say, rush for and demand that they be brought into action? Undoubtedly, and with their demand would be coupled their universal consent to purchase them. This being undisputed, then, what is the present duty of every citizen? Why this— sign at once the petition praying councils to purchase the extinguishers. Dr. Gast has the petition in charge. Their cost is insignificant, hardly to be considered compared to the value of property involved. Why, look at it— less than $1000 to be paid in five years by over 300 tax payers, representing 1300 or 1400 people! It looks like a crime to sanction the investment, which is rated to preserve our homes and probably the lives of our families. Men be men, do the sensible, just thing in this very important case and thus earn the plaudits of your neighbors, friends and of the mass of the community. Since writing the above we learn that Dr. Gast has written the chiefs of Fire Depts. in a number of towns and cities as to their opinion of the extinguishers. One reply has already been received from the Chief of the Fire Dept. of Detroit, Mich., who says, “Yours of the 12th is at hand and contents noted. I have three chemicals in this dept. and I think there is nothing like them, as they get to work so much quicker than an engine or steamer. They put out about 75 percent of the fires that the chemical engines run to. I use them altogether in the mercantile district, as they do not flood everything with water as the steam engines do, and I handle some very hot fires with them, and put them out without the assistance of the steam engines, as I hold the steamers in reserve in case the fire is more than the chemical engine can handle. We allow a steamer to work, but as a rule it gets too hot and controls it. I think so much of the chemical engines that I would not think of dispensing with them for any engine I have. We are using the Babcock Engine and think well of them. James Battle, Chief Engineer. The above letter is certainly convincing in character, assuring us that the extinguishers may be relied upon to do their job. © Copyright 2008 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper Top of Page |
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