The East End Fire Fight
After a local shop burned down, a councilman demands improved water access and fire equipment for the city's growing East End.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
As additional fire protection for the East End, the city will dig a fire cistern at East P and 31st St. to supply water for the fire engine. A store recently burned in that neighborhood because of lack of water to put out the fire. Councilman Hawley made a strong plea yesterday before the fire and water committee for the addition of a chemical engine to the South Tacoma fire house. Chief McAlevy was appealed to to help out the Sixth ward councilman in his campaign, but the chief was slow to recommend the additional expense. He said it would be a good thing if the city could afford it, but left the question up to the council. He was asked to report next week what it will cost to buy a new automobile chemical for the Central department and transfer the one there to South Tacoma.
“A store recently burned in that neighborhood because of lack of water to put out the fire.”
Infrastructure expansion was the primary concern of Tacoma's early council members. The transition from manual firefighting to motorized 'automobile chemical' engines marked a pivotal moment in the city's ability to protect its rapidly developing residential neighborhoods.
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