Council Awards Contract to W.S. Nott Co. to Install Rebuilf Four-Cylinder Four-Wheel Tractor.

——–

EQUIPMENT WILL COST $4750-

-GUARANTEED

——–

Installation Will Be Made Here in Ninety Days-Fire Apparatus Was Sold by Government.

——–

The New Ulm city council, at a special meeting Wednesday evening, awarded a contract for the installation of a rebuilt motor truck for the hook and ladder, which is now horse-drawn, to the W. S. Nott Co. of Minneapolis, who are the representatives of the American-La France Fire Engine Co., Inc., of Elmira, N. Y., in the sum of $4,750. On an entirely new motor truck their price was $14,700, with an allowance of $1,000 for the hook and ladder now in service. Representative R. G. Browning in explanation, stated the rebuilt apparatus would be practically as good as a brand new one, inasmuch as the engine had only been run approximately 200 miles. He further stated that the truck had been sold to the company by the U. S. government, who had contracted for it in 1919 and that it had been put in up-to-date condition; that they were willing to enter into contract with the city, giving a guarantee and allowing a ten-day trial that the job of motorizing the aerial truck would be satisfactory in every respect. The rebuilding will be done in this city and under the supervision of competent engineers.

Proposals on New Tractor

The lowest proposal was made by the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Co. of Cincinnati, through the Jos. F. Suel Co. of Minneapolis, considering the class of equipment they agreed to furnish. A new aerial truck would have cost $16,500 with an allowance of $2,800 for the present equipment, making it net, $13,700. They agreed to furnish a 4 wheel 6-cylinder tractor for $8,200, including installation.The Seagrave Corporation, of Colum-bus, did not submit a proposal on a rebuilt motor, but on the 4-cylindler motor their price was $14,750, with an allowance of only $760, or net $13,990.On a 6-cylinder their price was $15,250 with the same allowance or $14,490 net. Their bid on a 4-cylinder tractor was $7,500 with entirely new extra wheels, costing $750, or a total of $8,200. A 6-cylinder tractor would have cost $8,750.

Firemen Are Consulted

A goodly representation of the New Ulm Fire laddies were present, including Chief Henry Engel. The council asked for the views of the firemen as regards the different proposals submitted and Chief Engel stated that if the lbidder would guarantee the work in every respect the rebuilt motorized truack would suffice. He did not believe that it was advisable to spend $14,000 to $16,000 for a new one if the same service could be secured for one-third the cost. He was interested in getting something that would operate efficiently. Frank Niemann, Jr., held the same views.

Fred Pfaender believed that the proposal of the rebuilt motor truck was not in accordance with the advertised call for bids and was unfair to the other bidders and did not favor buying anything but new equipment.

Emil Wicherski expressed the same views.

Jack Forster believed the matter ought to be thoroughly investigated, as his experience in France and the United States on fire apparatus, has convinced him that power tests must be established before entering into contract.

Councilor Gronau was willing to give the boys what they wanted, but he also believed in economy where possible. Councilor Saffert believed that inasmuch as the company was willing to give as good a guarantee on the rebuilt motor truck as on a new one it should be accepted. Councilors Vogel, Siebenbrunner and Woratschka also believed in acceptance.The council unanimously agreed on the proposition,and on motion of Councilor Siebenbrunner, secondedby Councilor Vogel, the contract was awarded to the American-La France Company. Councilors Gollnast and Hamann were absent, The successful bidder agreed to complete the motorization within ninety days.

Brown County Journal,

August 25, 1925

————————