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Show TO CHIEF BYWATER. H As the chief of the fire department we believe that you are exactly suited for the place. We think with others who have watched your work that you are a conscientious man and officer, 1 and one who is doing and intends to continue to H do everything possible in perfecting the city de- partment of which you are in charge. From a scientific standpoint and one of per- sonal judgment and courage in fighting a fire H there can bo only praise for what you have done. H But none of these is sufficient reason for a dis- H play of the speed mania with which you seem H imbued. The performance you gave on Main H street a few days before Christmas between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon, one of the busy H hours of the day in the shopping district, was witnessed by hundreds of citizens who singly and H in groups denounced the unnecessary exhibition.' At the corner of Third South and Main street B your automobile with you and the driver in it M missed a burdened woman by the narrowest mar- H gin, and a short distance further other people lH had to run for their lives. The machine you B were in was alone and there was not the usual jH hullaballoo that accompanies the whole depart- EB ment, and if you weto not going closer to fifty HH miles an hour than forty, wo miss our guess. M There u no fire important enough to risk the H lives of pedestrians as you have on more than VAg one occasion of late, and it is high time for the H city commission to act in the matter if you find it H impossible personally to curb what Is apparently MVJ a mad desire to see how fast you can go. Before VAa the motor apparatus arrived, ten miles an hour VA was a pretty good speed for the horses to make, H and while the motors are a great improvement and H invaluable in reaching fires more quickly, es- H pecially at a distance, there should bo an impera- BAi tive order that tho speed shall not bo excessive. VAj Do not misinterpret, Chief, what wo are say- j ing. We believe you are a good chief; wo believe BAj you are the man for tho 1ob, but wo do not believe M that the province of a fire chiof is to emulate M Barney Oldfleld, and we insist that you recognize 1 the rights of citizens. H |
