A combination apparatus, carrying a pumping engine, chemical engine and a line of hose, mounted on a fast truck, is stated to be the ideal equipment for this town, and would be the same as added recently to the fire fighting equipment of other towns of the country. This, in addition to the present equipment, would give Ferndale adequate fire protection.

It is realized that the apparatus at present at the command of the local department is entirely inadequate, and should a fire get a good start the result might be a disastrous conflagration. The Ferndale firemen have done splendid work with the equipment furnished them, but at times many valuable minutes are lost because of the the antiquated hand-drawn apparatus.

Chief Bartlett and a delegation of citizens will appear before the Town Trustees next Monday evening and talk over the question of the feasibility of financing the purchase of a new engine of the type desired. It is hoped that arrangements can be made to secure the new equipment at the earliest minute possible, as it is realized that any delay may be costly. Ferndale has been very fortunate in the matter of fires for many years past, but this good luck cannot be expected to continue indefinitely.

The matter of finances was gone into and it was stated that there was no doubt the purchase could be financed under a system of yearly payments without any increase in the tax rate, as there has been a neat surplus each year for the past couple of years.

Chief W.A. Bartlett of the fire department was present and outlined the type of engine considered most desirable here, which would be a combination pumping and chemical engine, carrying about 1200 feet of hose. It was the unanimous sentiment of the board that the equipment must be of standard make, recognized by the fire underwriters, which would have the effect of lowering the insurance rates in the town.

A committee was appointed consisting of Trustees Boyd, Mills and Codoni and Chief Bartlett, which will investigate the several types of engines on the market and report back to the board at an adjourned meeting next Monday evening. It is expected there will be a representative of the American LaFrance Company here at that time, and possibly representatives of other companies.

It was the sentiment of the board that no time should be lost in getting the new equipment, but that a thorough investigation should be made of the different machines, that the best possible equipment might be secured for the money paid out.

It will be good news to all property owners of the town that the new engine appears a certainty, as it has been realized for a long time past that the old equipment is obsolete, and that the town has been very fortunate in escaping a disastrous conflagration.

Bids are to be secured for an engine of a capacity of 300, 400, 500 and 600 gallons per minute, equipped with chemical tanks and with a hose carrying capacity of 1200 feet. Bid are also asked for the same equipment without the chemical tanks.

There are some fourteen companies which manufacture fire fighting apparatus, and it is expected that a number of them will put in bids for the new engine here.

The trustees of the town me Monday evening, at which time Mr. Brown, a representative of the American LaFrance Co., one of the leading concerns manufacturing fire engines, was present and explained to the board the type of engine he considered most suitable for this town. The apparatus favored by him would cost the town $8000.

At this amount was more than the trustees had expected to pay for a new engine and was a larger amount than the finances of the town could well stand at the present time, it was decided to ask the property owners to make up a part of the amount by private subscription.

A soliciting committee was appointed, consisting of L.C. Ericcsen, president of the board of trustees, Chief W.A. Bartlett of the fire department, Viggo Eriksen and A.W. Blackburn. This committee on Tuesday called upon as many of the townspeople as could be interviewed that day and succeeded in raising something over $2100.

That evening at an adjourned meeting of the board an order was made advertising for bids, as stated above, to be opened at an adjourned meeting of the trustees on the evening of April 16th.

The people of the territory surrounding Ferndale are also considering the matter of the purchase of a large chemical engine, and met with the town trustees Monday evening to talk over the proposition of entering into a partnership in new equipment. It seems to be the sentiment that owing to a scarcity of water on most of the ranches a pumping equipment on an engine would be of little value and that what is needed is a chemical of large capacity. A committee was appointed, consisting of residents of the different parts of the valley, to call on the people and raise funds for the purchase of the new engine.

It is understood that the Ferndale fire department stand ready to man the engine if it is acquired, taking it to the scen of a fire at any time its services are required.

The following soliciting committees will work in their respective districts, visiting every home:
Centerville - L.J. Lindrum and John Trigg.
Island - Shirley Boyd and Antone Enos.
Grizzly Bluff - Frank Slingsby and Ira Goff.
Grant and Salt River - M.L. Clausen and M.P. Petersen.

The owners of the property and the renters as well will be asked to contribute for the purchase of the engine, and as the matter is of vital importance to all it is expected there will be no difficulty in raising the necessary amount, which will be in the vicinity of $4000 or more.

It is hoped to purchase an engine carrying two 60-gallon chemical tanks together with the full equipment which goes with the apparatus, the machine to have a speed of about fifty miles an hour.

Ranch owners within a certain radius of Ferndale will be asked to contribute $2.50 on each $100 of assessed valuation of the buildings on their property, while further out they will be asked for $2.00 on the $100. A donation of 15 cents per cow on the places will be asked of the onwers of the animals, whether he be the owner of the ranch as well or the lessee.

By this method it is shown that the cost will not be excessive to anyone, there being but a very few people in the valley who will be called upon to contribute more than $25, while in the majority of cases the contribution would probably be less.

It is realized that there is a great necessity for the new fire apparatus and it is expected the committees will meet with a ready response in their solicitation.

The work of canvassing the Centerville and Grizzly Bluff sections will be underway shortly, and by the end of next week it is expected that the canvassing will be completed and that it will be definitely known how much money is available for the purchase of the engine. It is safe to announce, however, that if the other districts support the movement as those which have been canvassed have done, there will be ample funds for the the purchase of a large, powerful engine which will give the valley the best possible fire protection.

A letter which was received by the committee this week from Mrs. Lucie Ericksen, widow of the late Erick Ericksen, shows the interest which that lady feels in the movement. Mr. Eriksen, it will be remembered, was an active worker for the purchase of an engine when the movement was first started a few years ago. Mrs. Ericksen, who now resides in San Francisco, writes as follows:

"To the chemical fire engine committee, Ferndale, Calif.

"Dear Friends: Through the Enterprise I have learned of your untiring work of endeavor to obtain a chemical fire engine for Ferndale and the surrounding districts. Mr. Ericksen was greatly in favor of the idea and had lent it is co-operation. Enclosed please find check for ten dollars to help the fund along. Wishing you every success,

"Yours truly, LUCIE G. ERICKSEN."

It is understood that there will be a number of companies bidding, several of whom will have representatives here. Much interest is manifested by the townspeople in the purchase of the new fire engine and it is hoped satisfactory bids will be received so that an order can be placed in the near future.

At a meeting of the committees, held last Tuesday evening, it was found that $3183 had so far been subscribed. There are yet many more property owners and renters to be interviewed and several hundred dollars more are expected to be raised without difficulty.

It is considered that the amount necessary for the purchase of the engine, which will cost in the neighborhood of $3800, is assured. This is a matter for congratulation, as the fire apparatus is badly needed and will doubtless pay for itself many times over within a few years in the amount of property saved from destruction.

Sufficient funds have been subscribed for the purchase of a splendid equipment, and it is understood that representatives of several different companies will be present to submit offers for furnishing their machines.

It is considered that the amount necessary for the purchase of the engine, which will cost in the neighborhood of $3800, is assured. This is a matter for congratulation, as the fire apparatus is badly needed and will doubtless pay for itself many times over within a few years in the amount of property saved from destruction.

The committees which have been interviewing the residents of the valley in raising funds have met with great success, practically everybody giving gladly the amounts expected of them, realizing that the protection afforded by the new chemical will be worth many times the money subscribed.

Eight offers were received ranging in price from $9750 down to $4300, according to the size and power of different apparatus. Representatives of the Seagrave Co., the La France Co. and the Stutz Co. were present from San Francisco and explained the merits of their respective machines.

After the bids were opened the trustees went into executive session with the public excluded and considered the offers of the different companies. Being unable to arrive at a decision as to the most advantageous offer they adjourned the meeting until next Monday evening, when it is expected some decision will be arrived at.

It is common report that the two machines which are most favorably considered are the La France, the bid for which was $7500, and the Stutz, which was offered at $7000. The La France representative through Viggo Eriksen of the Ferndale Iron Works, made an offer of $1000 for the old hand engine in this town, a couple of hose carts and some old hose, providing the town purchased his machine, and Mr. Eriksen stated that he would donate his commission on the sale to the Fire Department, not wishing to make any money from the sale, which was certainly a public spirited offer. This commission, it was stated, would be $250.

The Stutz representative offered to furnish a $7000 machine which had been used for demonstrating purposes, and carried as extra equipment a $125 siren, for $6650.

It is understood that the town trustees are giving thorough and careful consideration to these offers and will use their best judgement in accepting the offer which they consider the most advantageous to the town.

A big La France machine was brought up to Ferndale Wednesday and a demonstration was given Wednesday afternoon and again in the evening, the machine performing most satisfactorily. It is understood that the Stutz machine which has been offered is to be brought here also, though nothing definite as to its arrival has been received. The La France machine was of a larger type than is to be purchased by the town, the smaller size not being available for shipment here at this time.

This action was taken on account of complications which have arisen and by reason of the belief of the board that more advantageous figures can be had than have heretofore been offered. The trustees are determined to secure the best engine which can be had for the money available for its purchase, and are expending much time and effort in acting for the best interests of the town.

Another meeting will be held next Monday evening to consider the matter but it is stated by members of the board that is is not probable any definite action will be taken until the regular meeting in May, which will be one week from Monday evening.

Delivery is to be made in sixty days. The equipment will consist of two sixty-gallon chemical tanks, with numerous minor items and the chassis will be the 1 ½-ton truck size. The apparatus will be especially made up for this town at the Northern Fire Equipment Company's¹ factory in the east.

The apparatus is highly recommended and will doubtless prove entirely satisfactory here. It is made up by responsible manufacturers who stand behind it with a full guarantee. The money for its purchase was raised by private subscription around the valley and it will doubtless pay for itself many times within the next few years in saving property from destruction by fire.

The new engine will be housed at the fire house in Ferndale and will be manned by members of the Ferndale fire department, who will take it into the country whenever needed.

The American LaFrance engine is offered to the town for $7500, but the company offers $1500 for the hand pumping engine of ancient vintage owned here but not used for many years past and for two hose carts which will be obsolete and a quantity of condemned hose. Also extra equipment to the amount of $388 is included with the engine.

Thus the engine will in reality cost $1888 less than was at first quoted, plus the old equipment which is considered worthless. In addition the Ferndale Fire Department receives a gift of $250 in cash, being the commission of Viggo Eriksen, local agent for the LaFrance Co., Mr. Eriksen not wishing to make any profit for himself on the deal.

The contract calls for the delivery of the engine in 90 working days, and with its arrival Ferndale will have one of the best equipped fire departments to be found in any town of its size in the state.

The price previously quoted had been $7500, with the LaFrance Company allowing $1500 for obsolete equipment here and giving extra equipment to the amount of $388. This it was figured the twon would pay $6000 in cash for the engine and extra equipment, leaving the price of the engine net $5612, not figuring the $1500 allowed for the worthless apparatus here.

At the meeting Tuesday evening Mr. Brown made the concession of furnishing the town with the new apparatus for $5612, including the extra equipment, instead of $6000 as previously quoted. Thus while the town is technically quoted a price of the $7500 for the new apparatus it is in reality costing only $5224 and the value of the old equipment, which is figured here as being practically nothing.

Also a further concession of one percent was secured on the price of $7500, amounting to $75, for cash, and the Ferndale fire department receives a gift of $250, being the commission allowed Viggo Eriksen as local agent for the LaFrance Company in the transaction, Mr. Eriksen generously turning over the amount of his commission to the department.

Not figuring the value of the old hand engine and the two hose carts, the Ferndale people are saving $2601 by the action of the trustees in calling for competitive bids. Our trustees must be handed the plum as the champion fire engine buyers of the country.

The contract for the purchase of the engine was signed Wednesday, delivery to be made in about sixty days.

Your town trustees should be congratulated upon their selection of the American La France Fire Engine.

I was employed for three years as city fire machinist in the City of Seattle and know it to be a good, reliable machine.

I am always interested in the progress and welfare of my Old Home Town and get the news from The Ferndale Enterprise, which I receive regularly.

With best wishes for future success,
Yours truly,
CHAS. H. FLOWERS.

"We feel sure that the Town of Ferndale made the proper selection and for that reason we made rather a strenuous fight to place a car of our make in your town. While the columns of your paper have given great credit to the trustees of your town for the very low price which they purchased this apparatus for, due consideration should be given to the fact that it was not necessarily the trustees that were responsible for the purchase of this car at the low price it was obtained, but it was n 'argument' between two manufacturers of fire apparatus as to which would get the business, we realizing that i was necessary for us to get a low bid in order to best our competitor and get the award from the Board of Trustees."

Those familiar with the facts concerning the purchase of the American LaFrance fire engine will recall that upon the occasion of Mr. Brown's first appearance before the Board of Trustees he offered his machine for $7500, and stated that if bids were called for he would be compelled to raise this price $500, as he had forgotten add the freight, amounting to $500, in quoting this figure of $7500.

The trustees, however, refused to be stampeded, and in the end purchased the same machine at a saving to the people of $2601, not taking into consideration the allowance of $1500 for the old hand engine, which was considered worthless and which had been offered for sale as junk at $25.00.

So The Enterprise still believes that the Trustees are entitled to all credit for the business acumen which they displayed in the purchase of the new fire engine.

The new machine is a splendid piece of fire fighting apparatus. It has two sixty-gallon chemical tanks mounted on a Graham Bros. chassis, and is fully equipped with ladders, hand extinguishers and other apparatus.

It is painted the regulation red and is a handsome as well as an efficient piece of machinery.

The new machine was purchased through C.R. Thompson, the Ferndale agent, at a cost of $3500. It will be kept in Ferndale and manned by a picked crew from the Ferndale Fire Department, in readiness to answer alarms from the country at any hour of the day or night.

The need for a chemical engine for the country has long been felt and it will doubtless pay for itself many times over in the next few years in saving property from destruction by fire.

Everybody cordially invited to be present and see how the new apparatus will work in extinguishing a fire.

The Ferndale fire department responded to the alarm with the country chemical but the fire had then broken out all over the building and through the roof and was too far gone to be gotten under control by any means. The pumping engine was on the ground later and by means of two stream succeeded in deadening the fire and preventing further danger to adjoining buildings.

The building, which was owned by the Ferndale Building Association, was built in 1889, and was the first creamery in California. For a number of years past it has been occupied by R.M. Poole as a box factory in connection with his mill on the Wild Cat. The machinery was totally ruined and Mr. Poole estimates his loss at $12,000, with no insurance.

Mr. Poole will build another factory and install machinery as soon as possible, though as yet he has made no definite arrangements and is unable to say whether he will locate the factory in the valley or at the site of the mill, having both plans under consideration.

A telegram received by Chief Bartlett of the fire department stated that representatives of the company will arrive in Eureka this morning to attend to the unloading of the big machine, and will bring it out to Ferndale today.

The new engine is the latest thing in fire fighting apparatus and will make Ferndale fire department one of the most efficient to be found in a town this size anywhere in California.

The new machine is a beautiful piece of workmanship and in the tests which have been given it since arrival has fulfilled every requirement, states Chief Walter Bartlett.

It is a combination pumping engine and hose wagon, known as Type 89, one of the new models put out by the American LaFrance Co. Its pumping capacity is 450 gallons per minute.

The machine comes fully equipped with accessories and is up-to-the-minute in every particular. It presents a handsome appearance with its brilliant red paint and nickel trimmings. It is equipped with 40x8 tires on the rear wheels and 38x7 on the front wheels. It is a sturdy built machine, with chain drive and chassis which seems heavy enough for a big freight truck.

Underwriter's Test

A representative of the Underwriters of the Pacific will arrive in Ferndale this morning and with Mr. L.C. Lonkey, a representative of the American LaFrance Company who had been here this week tuning up the new machine, will conduct the official test, commencing at about nine o'clock this forenoon.

This test will take four or five hours and is a thorough one. There will be a capacity test which will last two hours, a 200-pound test for thirty minutes, a 250-pound test for thirty minutes, followed by quick lift, relief valve and vacuum tests.

If the new machine successfully passes all these tests, as it seems certain it will, the new equipment will be taken over by the town trustees at the next meeting.

The pumper will be a big addition to the fire fighting apparatus of Ferndale and will give the local fire department one of the best equipments to be found anywhere in a town the size of Ferndale. The list price of the engine is $7500.

The new apparatus passed the test successfully, showing more power and capacity than had been required of it, and has been officially accepted by the town trustees, conditional on the official report of the underwriters.

Different members of the Fire Department have been given instruction in operating the machine by Mr. Lonkey and will be capable of handling it efficiently in the event of a fire.

The new machine is a big addition to the fire fighting equipment of Ferndale and gives this town one of the best equipped departments in the state in a town of this size.

The results of the test as given to The Enterprise by Mr. Lonkey, are as follows: Capacity test, 120 minutes at 120 lbs. pressure, 461 gallons per minute. Pressure test, 30 minutes at 200 lbs., 219 gallons per minute. Pressure test, 30 minutes at 250 lbs., 139 gallons per minute. Quick lift test, 9 seconds. Vacuum test, satisfactory; battery test, satisfactory; relief test, good.

Ferndale now has one of the most efficient fire fighting equipments to be found in California in a town of its size. The town now possesses two pumping engines (ed. The 1905 Waterous and 1923 LaFrance) and a chemical in addition to other apparatus. Also the new chemical engine owned by the people in the territory surrounding the town is housed here and is available for use in the town as well as outside. Property owners are glad to note the arrival of the new equipment.

The alarm was again sounded Sunday afternoon, when a burning chimney threatened damage at the home of H.M. Bonnikson on Brown St. Like that of the previous evening the chimney burned out without damage to the house.

The old Torrent, as that type of engine was known, was purchased by public subscription in this town before the town was incorporated and did good service for many years until it was replaced by the small gasoline pumper which has been in use for many years past, and which in turn gives way to the new LaFrance engine, though the smaller gasoline pump is still here and in readiness for an emergency.

The old Torrent engine would throw a good stream of water providing enough men could be kept at the handles to man it. It was a man-killer and a few minutes at the handles of it was enough for the average man until he had a rest. It was, however, instrumental in saving much property and preventing many disastrous fires here and has earned its retirement. It will probably go to some motion picture company to be used in filming some old-fashioned fire fighting scenes.