Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1887 — About Those Fire Cisterns. [ARTICLE]

About Those Fire Cisterns.

Editor Republican:— Not long since there was a notice in the papers that our Town Board was talking of putting in a number of cisterns ‘and purchasing a hand engine or two, with which to fight fire. It would take from six to ten cisterns to supply the central part of town, while those near the limits would not be any better protected than they are now. Cisterns holding 200 barrels would cost about one hundred dollars each, and six of them would cost not less y than six hundred dollars then they would have to be filled. They would be liable to be out of repair and empty just when needed. After paying out from six hundred to one thousand dollars for cisterns, the next thing would be to- purchase an engine, which would be likely to cost as much more.

- Were the Board to purchase a good chemical engine, it would be cheapest, easier to handle arid -far more effective than tire little Band engines. The chemical engine is no more liable to get out of repair than the water engines and it would take fewer men to handle it. Let our people think about it and investigate lor themselves. The Board had better investigate thoroughly before commencing a very expensive and not very efficient system. -

TAX PAYER.