The Battle for Belltown's Fire Engine

To the Editor of the Post-Intelligencer: You are taking no part in the agitation in regard to the removal of the fire engine to Belltown. This is well. We do not desire to involve you in the matter, and if you see fit to publish this, the writer is alone responsible for the statements expressed herein. I am a business man. The petition for the removal of the engine was presented to me and I refused to sign it. Is there any reason for my refusal? I think they are abundant. We have both engines and all of the fire plugs in a limited area, and a favored portion of our enterprising city. The people of Belltown, or the northern portion of the city, are taxed just as we are for the support of the Fire Department, including the engines and the fire plugs. Shall we keep the engines and have monopolized all of the plugs in this portion of the city? Is there any justification for this? I ask, can it be justified on any principle of fair dealing and honesty? We answer—No. The demand of the taxpayers of the northern portion of the city is a just demand. They need protection against the devastating ravages of fire, and have just as much right to demand it as we. They do not leave you all of the fire plugs and one engine; we ask but the protection of one engine, and the business men, by their petition, are opposed to that. Is there any equity or equality in this refusal? Even in the event of a threatened disastrous conflagration, the engine, if sent to Belltown, could be brought here in 10 minutes. Are those opposed to the removal of the engine wrong in this matter? If there is any better foundation than an unfortunate friction in the management, do we, in justice and equity, refuse the equitable demand of the people in the northern portion of the city? If we do refuse, let us for fairness all release them from the payment of all taxes for the support of the Fire Department, in the benefit of which they are not allowed to participate and whose protection they are not allowed to have.