Financial Statement 1874-187518'74-5.
CITY OF
Statcutent,
-)UBUQUF,.
.a
CLASS
BOOK
earnegie=Stout'free Library
DUBUQUE, IOWA.
L
FINANCIAL REPORT.
To the Honorable City Council of Dubuque :
GENTLEn EN: —I herewith submit for your information
and careful consideration, the reports of the Auditor,
City Engineer, and the Chief Engineer of Fire Depart-
ment, accompanied with a report of all orders outstand-
ing March 1, 1875, and expense of the City for the year
ending same month. For the first time, in many years,
the City has met all obligations due in the months of Jan-
uary, February and March, without borrowing from our
banks; have also anticipated the last payment which was
due on the I. Haynor judgment in May. The whole may
besummarized as follows:
CURRENT EXPENSES OF CITY FOR THE YEAR
ENDING MARCH 1, 1875.
Streets and Roads, $27,482 44
Less Special Assessments on Streets, 16,524 58
Leaves for Streets and Roads, $10,957 86
Police and Gas, 15,004 54
Expense, . 45,365 44
Total expenses of City, $71,327 84
OUTSTANDING ORDERS.
ROAD.
One to Dubuque Harbor Co. which is to be taken up in
taxes on their property, $4,758 05
All others, same fund, . 15 95
2
SPECIAL INTEREST.
One to Coral Nat'l Bank for * 7,564 10
All others, same fund, 5 30
EXPENSE.
Order for H. & L. Truck, payable Jan. 1876, without
interest,
Order for repairing steamer Sol Turek, due Jan. 1876
All others in this fund,
Deduct all orders not now due as above,
Leaving balance outstanding March 1, 18'15,
Balance outstanding March 1, 1874,
Balance outstanding March 1, 1875,
Difference in favor of 1875,
1,200 00
1,000 00
441 80
$14,985 20
14,522 15
463 05
$32,642 52
463 05
.$32,179 47
This showing I most respectfully submit as,a satisfac-
tory one.
A. H. PEASLEE, Mayor.
*This order is claimed in full by the City, and is now in the Supreme Court
on an agreed case.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
March 15th, A.D. 1875.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen of the City
Council of the City of Dubuque:
GENTLEMEN —AS the 28th of February, 1875, closed the
fiscal year, I herewith enclose to your Honorable Body a
full and detailed statement of receipts and expenditures
at the City Treasurer's office for the term, commencing
March 1, 1874, and ending as above. This report shows
the receipts and disbursements by months, for the reason
that the Treasurer reports monthly to this office. It is
pleasanter for those who wish to examine with minuteness
these monthly returns and of what they are composed.
They show every possible source of revenue, whence it
comes and for what; and each item is backed by a corres-
ponding duplicate on file in this office. The disbursing
side of the account is represented by orders on the vari-
ous funds, coupons and bonds, taken up, so that each
item in the disbursing side of the account is sustained by
a corresponding voucher therefor, returned by the Trea-
surer with his monthly reports, as the evidence of his dis-
bursements.
The report thus submitted in detail, closes with a re-
capitulation, which condenses the whole year's showing
on a single page, for ready reference as to monthly ag-
gregates and the year's sum total, with the balance that
should be in the Treasurer's hands on the 1st day of
March, the present month. This balance is thus shown
to be $21,034.65. All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. D. JENNINGS,
AUDITOR.
4
MARCH-1874.
Balance in the Treasury March 1, 1874, as
shown by the records and books in this
office, and as certified to by James Beach,
Esq., Chairman of the then Finance Com-
mittee
City Scales
Pork Packing Licenses
Shows
Rent of Market.
Butchers' C6
Peddlers' «
Special Tax
Fines Justice's Court
Numbering houses
Hotel Licenses
Saloon “
Linwood Lots
Cemetery
Taxes of 1864
1865
1866
1867....
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873...
Receipts of the Month.
Receipts. Disbursements
813,118 01
118 47
20 00
10 00
50 00
50 00
3 00
16 53
1 00
11 20
15 00
4,560 00
30 75
73 50
4 00
50
2 56
40
36 46
56 43
142 86
581 32
3,866 01
Total receipts $9,649 99
Disbursements for the Month.
Road Orders Redeemed
Poli-ce and Gas Orders Redeemed
Cemetery a
Coupons taken up
Special Interest Orders
Expense <<
46,
•6{
Total disbursements....
$ 601 48
839 05
50 00
4,043 98
2,421 05
2,070 73
$10,026 29
APRIL-1874. GRISWOLD'S FINAL REPORT.
Receipts of the Month.
Pork Packers' Licenses
Special Tax $ 40 00
184 00
Butchers' Licenses
Sidewalks
Saloon Licenses
Taxes of 1859
5
1860
1861
1862.
1864
1868
1870
1871
1872
1873
Receipts. Disbursements
50 00
3 40
641 00
10 10
30
30
2 85
50
2 00
30 30
39 20
988 10
Total receipts $1,992 05
Disbursements up to April 14th, 1874, by
H. W. Griswold, Retiring Treasurer.
Road Orders Redeemed
Police "
Wharfage Orders Redeemed
Special Interest "
Coupons taken up.
Expense Orders redeemed
Exhibit "D," paid on Grand View Avenue,
Order No. 98
Exhibit "F," City Orders
$49. $50. $8.25
973, 931, 1219
Orders due for the following various sums,
to -wit :
Exhibit "A," Daniel Riordan's receipt
"B," S. Turek, receipt endorsed by
Finance Committee.
"C," Jno. Pier, am't p'd for spec'l tax
"E," Tax receipts untaken up but
charged to me
"G," Receipt from 1st Nat. Bank for
Ex. & Ex. on Coup's
"H," Exchange on Coupons
"I & J," For am't in hands of Beach
unreported on
"K," Doubtful money taken in office,
"L," Certificate ordered canceled af-
ter giving receipt
"M," Order due me as per Chairm'n
Finance Committee
"N," Obligation due me for return of
special interest, No. 96, out
$ 121 05
320 00
413 35
1,572 70
45 00
1,130 15
1,630 00
107 25
695 97
500 00
148 60
99 76
76 66
6 35
15 16
52 00
75 71
60 00
7,564 10
Cash of Treasurer
Saloon Licenses
Theatre "
Boarding House Licenses.
Rent of Market House Cellar.
Poor Relief from County
Tax of 1873.
1872.
1871.
1870.
"0," For tax certificates for sale o
No. 91, x27x 190
"P," For services in clearing up
books
Total disbursement
NoTE.—Of the above items of disburse-
ments, the Finance Committee have refused
to allow the following, viz:
Exhibit "K,"
«p
$ 52
60
228
150
True credits as allowed by Fin. Committee..
Receipts. Disbursements
f
228 00
150 00
$15.012 31
490 00
$14,522 31
APRIL-1874. RIORDAN'S FIRST REPORT.
Receipts for the Month.
Griswold. $ 695 97
1,295 00
5 00
15 00
9 00
237 30
4,872 10
2 30
4 08
28 26
Total receipts $7,164 01
Disbursements.
Orders redeemed —Expense Fund.
" Cemetery Fund.
Special Interest Fund....
Total disbursements.....
MAY-1874.
Receipts for the Month.
City Scales
West Dubuque Scales
First Ward Scales.
Improvements on 17th street.
Digging graves
$ 28 35
2 60
4 50
40 00
36 00
$3,760 60
23 25
4 50
$3,788 35
Receipts. Disbursements
00
Potter's Field 7 7 00
Sale of Old Hose 1003 00
.
Cleaning Alleys. 0 75
Rent of Engine House 00
Peddlers' Licenses 84 0 00
Team (Wagon) Licenses 180 00
Theatre and Circus Licenses 75
18 75
Linwood Cemetery Lots.
Cemetery Lots 2,291 75
Saloon Licenses.593 12
139 90
373 28
2,304 86
313 33
14 00
Tax of 1870, &c.
1871
1872
1873
Interest on taxes
Costs.
Total receipts
Disbursements.
Orders, &c., Redeemed:
Police and Gas Orders.
Cemetery..
Special Interest Orders
Expense "
Road `.
Coupons redeemed
Int. on Expense Orders.
Total disbursements
JUNE-1874.
Receipts of the Month.
Theatre and Circus Licenses.. $
Hucksters' Stands
Hay Scales.
Teams or Wagon Licenses
Auctioneer
Butchers'
Saloon "'
Peddlers and Dollar Store License
Boarding Houses, &c., License.
Livery License
Brokers' "
Billiards "
Ferry " • • •
Hacks and Omnibus License
Confiscations .
$6,483 84
87 50
100 00
56 35
210 00
100 00
400 00
1,400 00
37 50
75 00
100 00
200 00
20 00
150 00
15 00
1 10
$ 868 40
58 60
373 90
1,639 85
997 95
474 34
75
$4,413 79
Cleaning Alleys Receipts. Disbursements
155 00
126 55
13 50
8 75
77 00
74 10
120 60
249 10
.. 2,212 20
4 42
220 26
20 20
Total receipts $6,234 13
Disbursements.
Police and Gas Orders redeemed
Cemetery- 66 66
Special Interest 66
Expense 66
Road 66
One Thompson Bond
Coupons
Interest on above orders
Total disbursements.. .
Poor Relief.
Fines from Justices
Linwood Cemetery
Cemetery
Taxes of 1870 and prior years
1871
1872
1873
Special Assessments.
Interest on Taxes.
Advertising costs
Saloon Licenses
Team
Peddlers 66
Butchers 66
Circus 66
66
66
"
66
JULY-1874.
Receipts of the Month.
..$
Hacks
Dog 66
Streets
Nines City Marshal
Deputy Sheriff
Cleaning Alleys, Street Commissioner
Costs Illinois Central Railroad Company
Sale of Hose Cart, Alderman Cooper
Taxes 1870
1871
1872
1873
Interest on above years.
200 00
120 00
44 50
100 00
50 00
5 00
8 00
2 00
6 00
10 00
21 00
21 10
150 00
63 05
1,796 70
1,332 50
2.986 60
638 70
Total receipts $7 555 15
$1,016 00
50 00
3,085 33
2,918 65
2,335 65
100 00
209 00
12 70
$9,727 33
66
66
66
9
Receipts. Disbursements
Disbursements.
Police and Gas Orders redeemed
Cemetery
Special In ter est
Expense
Road
Coupons
Interest on above
6•
6
66
i6
Total disbursements
AUGUST-1874.
Receipts of the Month.
Peddlers' Licenses
Dog 6l
Saloon
Circus "
First Ward Scales
City
West Dub. "
Fines from Justices
a6 City Marshal
Deputy Sheriff
Hucksters' Stands
Rent of Engine House
Tax Deeds
Costs
Linwood Cemetery
Cemetery
Taxes of 1870 and prior years
1871
1872
1873
Special Taxes
Interest on Taxes
Total receipts
Disbursements.
Police and Gas Orders Redeemed
Special Interest "
Expense
Road
Cemetery
Wharfage
Coupons
Interest
''
Total disbursements
11 00
4 00
95 00
40 00
8 43
21 15
2 80
15 00
5 00
3 00
61 00
18 75
3 00
20
147 50
133 75
67 60
114 30
60 60
2,391 24
8 82
309 39
$3,523 53
$1,249 83
5" nn
27 ba
1,828 10
2,176 20
688 6.0
22 46
$6,043 04
912 00
46 03
1,952 74
1,477 20
354 62
15 00
254 17
7 30
$5,019 06
i
i! I
10
SEPTEMBER-1874.
Receipts of the Montle.
Butchers'
Peddlers' Licenses „ Receipts. Disbursements
$ 9 00
Livery 44 50 00
50 00
......................
Wagon (( ......
Theatre (( 75 00
City Scales........... .... ...' ' ' ' ' . 800
Hucksters ................................... 89 62
62
Stands............
Cleaning Streets.... """...... •• 111 50
Gift Enter r' ........................... 6 25
p ise............
Sale of Pamphlet ordinances........ ................ 22 00
Linwood Cemetery Lots,,, 75
Cemetery Lots . 121 50
Taxes of 1870 and "..121 50
187.1.,.....rior years
129 85
1872................................................. 35 20
1873.................. .............. 143 80
Special Tax..,.. ..... 1,640 20
Interest ........."". 293 00
on taxes .......
Costs.... ..,................. 231 86
....................
Total receipts .......... $3,182 80
Disbursements.
redeemed..
(( •......... $ 847 50
98 37
..................... 111 10
................... 1,425 35
.................. 1,461 20
Interest on order......., • .."""""••• 15 00
65
Total disbursements
Police and Gas Orders
Cemetery
Special Interest.
General Expense
Road
Wharfage
OCTOBER-1874.
Receipts of the Month.
Saloon Licenses.......,,,
Livery (( $ 50 00
...................
Theatre .
50 00
Team (( 30 00
...............
• .................
Sale PeddlersEngine16 00
Hand Fire ""
West Dubuque .....""""""' 99 60
Scales .....................................
Fines from Justices....................................""""• 7 50
Street Commissioner •••• 7 50
missioner...,.,,.
$3,959 17
Receipts.. Disbursements
Taxes of 1870 and prior years 56 25
" 1871 181 85
1872 366 25
1873 4,679 66
Special tax 100 00
Interest on taxes 810 23
Costs 47 80
Total receipts
Disbursements.
Police and Gas orders redeemed..
Cemetery 44
Expense
Road
Wharfage
Interest on
((
Total disbursements
$6,513 84
NOVEMBER-1874.
Receipts for the Month.
$ 500 00
Scales 65 05
Fines, &c 12 65
37 50
376 50
41 65
166 65
113 00
Cemetery Lots • 80 00
Taxes of 1870 and prior years 93 95
1871 188 10
1872 486 96
1873 3,763 20
Tax sales 4,182 44
Interest on taxes 1,543 40
121 01
Sale of hand fire engine
Rent of Engine House ..
I11. Central Railroad Company
Saloon Licenses
Butchers' Licenses
Linwood Cemetery Lots.
Costs
Total Receipts
Disbursements.
Paid out on Police and Gas orders.
( Cemetery
Special Interest
General Expense
Road
Coupon
Wharfage
((
((
$11,772 06
1,962 85
113 35
2,506 12
1,381 50
15 00
17 24
$5,996 06
$ 1,244 35
129 10
242 49
3,119 47
4,531 66
319 88
35 00
12
Interest on orders presented for payment
Total Disbursements
Receipts. Disbursements
26 51
DECEMBER-1874.
Rent Receipts of the Month.
Scales
Cleaning streets
Fines
Butchers' Licenses..
Billiard «
Saloon 66
Peddlers' tt
Boarding House Licenses
Theatre Licenses `•
Pork Packers' Licenses
Cemetery Lots
Linwood Cemetery Lots
Taxes of 1870 and prior years
1872
1873
1874.
Interest on taxes.
Costs
79 15
100 97
20 00
25
150 00
35 00
85 83
4 00
30 00
30 00
80 00
43 50
37 25
8 20
582 20
526 00
60,607 60
259 05
80
Total receipts $62,679 80
Disbursements.
Police and Gas Orders redeemed.
Cemetery tG
Special Interest. " . . . . . •
General Expense "
Road 66
Bond (Thompson's)
Coupons
Wharfage
Interest on order
Poor Relief
Scales
Saloon Licenses
Inkeepers Licenses
G6
66
66
Total disbursements
JANUARY.-1875.
Receipts of the Month.
$ 44 00
172 26
200 00
90 00
$8,648 46
$1,799 50
81 05
2,627 20
7,770 34
7,867 62
100 00
1,044 82
20 00
283 77
$21,594 30
44
66
bt
4.6
66
t6
Rent from Am. Ex. Co. (barn)
City Scales
Fines from Justices.
Butchers' Licenses
Theatre "
Billiard
66
Team
Saloon
13
Billiard Licenses,
Butchers' "
Theatre
Peddlers
Expre: s f6
Linwood Cemetery
Cemetery
Fines..
Special Taxes
Taxes of 1870 and prior years
1871
1872
1873
1874
Interest..
Costs
Receipts. Disbursements
126 65
12 50
5 00
1 00
85
26 25
62 50
11 75
109 44
2 23
6 50
8 40
167 00
81,545 81
32 62
1 20
Total receipts $82,625 96
Disbursements.
Police and Gas Orders redeemed.
Cemetery
Special Interest
Expense
Road
Bond (Thompson's)
Coupons
Interest
Total disbursements......
FEBRUARY-1875.
Receipts of the Month.
$ 1.5 00
169 65
Linwood Cemetery Lots
Cemetery Lots
Taxes of 1870 and prior years
1872
1873
1874
Tax Sales
16 90
50 00
22 00
40 00
10 00
25 00
11 65
48 00
6 00
20 70
68 40
5,620 12
135 83
$ 2,201 00
62 50
38,452 10
10,341 68
2,923 05
100 00
8,380 06
2,401 29
$64,861 68
14
Interest on taxes
Costs .
Total receipts
Police and Gas Orders
Cemetery..
Special Interest
Expense
Road
Coupons redeemed
Interest
Disbursements.
Orders.
c.
Total disbursements.... .
RECAPITULATION.
Balance March 1, 1874,
Receipts of the month of Marcb, 1874
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of April, 1874
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of May, 1874
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of June
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of July
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of August
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of September
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of October
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of November
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of December.
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of January, 1875
Disbursements of same
Receipts of the month of February
Disbursements of same
Balance March 1, A. D. 1875
Proof
Receipts. Disbursements
71 63
19 20
$6,350 08
$ 13,118 01
9,649 99
9,156 06
6,483 84
6,234 13
7,555 15
3,523 53
3,182 80
6,513 84
11,772 06
62,679 80
82,625 96
6,350 08
$1,744 06
70 37
19,048 20
4,901 66
2,607 88
20,112 48
726 08•
$49,210 73
10,026 29
18,310 66
4,413 79
9,727 33
6,043 04
5,019 06
3,959 17
5,996 06
8,648 46
21,594 30
64,861 68
49,210 73
$228,845 25 -._
$207,810 57
21,034 68
$228,845 25
CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT.
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City
of Dubuque:
GENTLEMEN -Herewith I submit my second annual re-
port of street improvements placed under my supervision
for the year ending April 1, 1875. The following table
shows the names of streets and alleys that have been
curbed, guttered and macadamized. Appended is a brief
statement of the total amount and cost of all improve
ments placed under my charge during the year.
co r�PWcc -70 C
cr
°dam r
n 0- CI)
C m
0
coo -• m: - m � J -
0 "7 "'S ni CD CD 0 0
e- 0 0 CD CD 0 n r.
W r' �* •�+ cK- c*
0
5
0
0
r_
0
td
0
0
0
0
pr, _,.„ i! 'n 0, ° a : - .- g): : ",- r. ,c/ `4: pr:'' ''.3:7;jt sl_ 7?-6-,.., .t),..,e:i t : CHI : : ' , °Pc '1
C) t-1 1 R° L-i � `t " " `�' `yam wy
eCi
°�� m
x
MCnM<w , M7• .- ,
m m 7 m '' F' o
0' ° •
C
' BB5� 5�B �b aPtd'
5`cB'°ti p ^5'5c0
0 ° P c°0� R°C oti ( 0 CD s
m :st P••0
0
c
0
•saolouaquop
H
H
0
Lt
�y
16
Total amount of grading, estimated,
Total cost of grading
Average cost per cubic yard 19i cents.
Total amount of curbing set
Total cost of curbing set
Average cost per lineal foot 75 cents.
Total amount of gutters laid
Total cost of gutters laid
Average cost per square yard 71 o cents
Total amount of macadam broken on streets.......8,588 cubic yards
Total cost of macadam broken on streets . $10,405 55
Average cost per cubic yard $1,21.
Total distance macadamized 8,033 feet or la tulles.
Total amount of masonry used for retaining walls ....847. o perches
Total cost of same $928 55
Average cost per perch 8 1,09.
6,547 cubic yards
$1,273 57
4,101i lineal feet
$3,076 52
2,945 o square yards
$2,103 69
SEWERS.
Seventeenth Street sewer from Main street west 100i feet..$402 00
One-half paid by City, balance paid by Wm. Rebman.
Julien Avenue brick sewer, 130 feet long,
First Street brick sewer, 514 feet long,
Second Street culverts, 215 o feet long,
$354 90
$3,209 73
$462 68
Total cost of work under my supervision, ...$22,217 29
Of this amount 816,524 58 has been assessed against abutting
property owners, or was otherwise provided for by special con-
tract. The balance, $5,692 71, was paid by the City. This amount
comprises the following items, viz :
One-half 17th Street sewer, $201 00
Julien Avenue brick sewer,
Total amount of grading estimated during this year, .....$1,273 57
Balance on First Street brick sewer, $354 90
" Seventeenth Street improvement, $1,7 54
$2,54
7 70
Total,
$5,692 71
It will be seen that the average cost of curbing and gut-
tering exceeds that of last year. This is owing to the ex-
pensive curbing and guttering used in 17th Street im-
provement.
Macadamizing, however, is considerably below the aver-
age cost of last year, reaching the very low figure of
$1.21 per cubic yard.
Seventeenth street has been completed from White to
Iowa street, at a total cost of $4,834.30. Of this amount
17
$2,286.60 has been assessed to abutting property, the bal-
ance, $2,54'7.70, has been paid by the City. This includes the
total cost of rebuilding the retaining walls on each side of
17th Street, lowering grade of Clay, Iowa and Seminary
streets, to correspond with changed grade of 17th Street.
This work has been done in a thorough manner, and thus
far gives evidence of answering the purposei ntended.
During the present year, the first step has been taken
towards permanent sewerage, although but a small one it
is in the right direction.
The brick sewer on First Street is in every respect equal
to those constructed in eastern cities. Most of the bricks
used in the sewer were from Mr. Ham's yard, at Eagle
Point, and were of a superior quality for this purpose,
The clay of which they are made, is capable of being
subjected to intense heat without injury to the form of the
brick.
Total cost of building the sewer $3,209 54. Of this
amount the I. C. R. R. Co., the C. C. & D. R. R. Co. and the
D. & D. Bridge Co. pay $1,894 19, leaving a balance of
$1,315 35 paid by the City.
I must again urge upon your attention, the necessity of
procuring a road roller for rolling newly macadamized
streets. I would not recomend an expensive outlay in
this direction, as one can be constructed at a small cost,
that will answer every purpose, and would pay first cost
in one season. It sometimes occurs that newly made
streets receive injuries from floods or excessive use, while
new, that could easily be avoided by using a roller. If a
street is packed hard and smooth before being used it
will wear smooth and consequently much longer without
repairs.
I wish to call the attention of the City Council to the
filthy condition in which many of the alleys are during
the summer season, in the thickly settled portions of the
City. As these alleys are not improved it is impossible
for the Street Commissioner to keep them clean, without
incurring to much expense upon the City. Although quite
a number of alleys were improved last season, there are
CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE,
Dubuque, Iowa, March 31, 1875.
18
many more that should receive your attention. As a
sanitary measure this should not be overlooked.
The Record Map of the City of Dubuque, spoken of in
my last annual report, is now completed and mounted in
a convenient and substantial manner. I have spared
rp-;ither pains or labor in making this work thorough and
complete. It has been necessary to make many surveys,
and to spend much time searching records, deeds. &c., in
order to make the work reliable.
I will not occupy your time with a detailed description
of this work, as it is a matter of public record, and can be
examined at any time. I take pleasure, however, in pre-
senting this work for your inspection, and can but feel,
knowing the labor it has cost me, that it will meet with
your hearty approval.
I take pleasure in acknowledging the many favors re-
ceived at your hands.
Respectfully submitted,
W. H. KNOWLTON,
City Engineer.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
DuBUQUE, MARCH 29, 1875.
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of
Dubuque :
GENTLEMEN: I herewith submit a statement of the con-
dition of the property connected with the Fire Department
of the City, and such other information relating to the
same as, in my opinion, should be of interest to your
honorable body and the citizens at large.
Sol Turck Engine House, No. 1, located on Iowa, be-
tween Fourth and Fifth streets, is a two story brick build-
ing 25x50 feet. We have in this building one of H. C.
Silsby's first class steamers, recently thoroughly over-
hauled, and is in as good condition, if not better, as when
new; also, hose cart and 1800 feet of first class hose.
J. K. Graves Engine House, No. 2, located on Iowa, be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, is a three story brick
building, 23x40. In this building we have one of Silsby's
second class steamers, with hose cart and 1800 feet of first
class hose; also, heater attached to boiler for keeping the
water hot at all times.
Hook and Ladder Truck, No. 1, (a Babcock B. truck)
recently purchased, is located on the corner of Fourth and
Locust streets, in a temporary building, which is not
large enough, as we are compelled to remove the tongue
to get it into the building.
The FifthWard Hose Company is located on Eighteenth
and Clay streets, in a one story frame building, 18x40 ft.
We have in this building a light hose reel and 500 feet of
Clark's linen hose.
The Third Ward Hose Company is located on Ninth
and Jackson streets, with light reel and 300 feet of linen
hose.
20
The entire property for extinguishing fires is in good
order and ready at any time.
It is a well established fact that rapidity in reaching a
fire is the most essential feature of action. In my opin-
ion this is the most glaring defect in our organization,
and calls loudly for a remedy. Five minutes gained in
the start of a fire often decides the fate of thousands of
dollars worth of property. Fifty per cent of the fires are
discovered when they could easily be put out with a few
pails of water; give them five minute's time and you re-
duce your chances fifty per cent; give them ten minutes
and your chances are not one in ten of putting them out
before the building in which it originated is consumed,
and other property endangered. This being true, it seems
to me that any reasonable expense incurred, to enable the
fire department to reach a fire in from three to five min-
utes, would be economy in the long run.
Feeling that a great responsibility rests upon me as
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, it has been my
aim, and will continue to be while holding this impor-
tant position, to perform the duties pertaining to the office
to the satisfaction of your honorable body and the de-
partment.
In conclusion I would respectfully present the following
recommendations for your early consideration, some of
which having been presented by me before:
First, that suitable buildings be erected. Second, that
horses should be purchased. Third, that a few men
should be employed permanently and kept on duty at all
hours.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. T. COOK,
Chief Engineer.