The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-26


except the Board of Fire Directors, who exer-
csed little or no control over the individual
organization.
A radical change was agitated in 1854, on the
consolidation of the city, and then it was that
the department took the matter into considera-
ton, although it required year to effect new
PLAN The present district system was advo-
Gated and that met with q bitter and deter
mined opposition from some of the companies,
who rather than be limited in their running,
disbanded themselves. However, o majority
favored the movement, and the present volun
teer system went into existence From the
ffty-two companies which accepted of the pro-
visions of the ordinance as passed by Councils,
the department swelled by the accession of old
and new organizations until it reached ninety
five companies. By disbanding and consolida-
ton that number was reduced to eighty-seven,
which comprises the department as it now
stands.
The Organization Of the Present Department.
At a meeting of the Board of Fire Directors
of the Fire Department, held March 20, 1S55-it
being impossible at that time for the board to
unanimously agree upon the reception of the
ordinance reorganizing the department as
adopted by Councils on January 25-it was re-
solved that the board dissolve. motion was
then submitted by D. w. Norris, the delegate of
the Marion Hose Company, and carried, that
the representatives of companies willing to
accept the provisions of the ordinance organize
in accordance with its requirements. II. l..
Sinexson, of the Robert Morris Hose was called
to the chair, and William A. Rolin was ap-
pointed Secretary. The roll of companies was
then called, and the following responded, the
date of organization being included
America Fire Co., April 10, $780,
America Hose Co., Sept 2, 1925
Columbia Fire Co. of Germantown, March g. 1909.
Dfgent Fire Co.. July 4, 1791.
Delaware Fire Co., March 81, 1161.
Eagle Hose Co, date not known
Paramount Fire Co., Feb. o. 1928.
Farmount Hose Co., Jaa. 10, 1s47
Frie1dsnP tmHi;n ttIG Fire re- Coz Aug; 3 1S f.d5 1885,
Franklin Fire Co OF Germantown, March l. 1894.
Franklin Fire Co. of Frankford, Jan 8, l94S
Fellowship Fire Co., Sept. 3, 1919.
Franklin Hose Co., merged with Harmony
Globe Fire Co., May 22, 1920.
Excelsior Hook and Ladder, Jan. 2s. 1853.
Empire Hook and Ladder, Feb. g. 1851.
Good Intent Fire Co. Of RoXborough, May s, 1919
Hope Fire Co., Nov. II, 1896.
Independence Fire Co., Feb. /, 1s47.
Liberty Fire Co., Jan. i, 1S4l.
Monroe Fire Co., March 8, 1928
Marion Hose Co., Aug. 10, 1888.
Mantua Hook and Ladder March 4, 1856.
Nicetown Hose 3d., date not known.
| Neptune Hose Co., Aug. 6, 1905.
Pennsylvania Hose Co., Aug. 4, 1881.
Perseverance Hose Co., May 2T, 1905.
Philadelphia Fire Co., Jan 25, 1893.
| Philadelphia Hose Co., Dec 15 1893.
| Phoenix Hose Co., Aug 25, 1917.
Reliance Fire Co., May 10, 1856.
Robert Morris Hose Co., March IA, 1881.
| Schuylki Hose Co., Dec Q, lS33
Southwark Hose Co., May G, 1906.
South Penn Hose Co.. May q, 1916.
| Spring Garden Fire Co., July II, 1851
Protection Hook and Ladder Co, date not known.
Rescue Hook ok and and Ladder Co. jan 81 1885,
Union Fire Co., March 10, 1919.
Nigiant Hose Co., Jan 2, 176O.
Warren Hose Co., March s. 1888.
washington Fire Fire Co. Of Fank6ord Jan 1872
Western Fire Co, April I, 1910.
Western Hose Co., merged with Fame.
Wissahickon Fire Co.. Dec. 81, 1s47.
Of the remaining companies in the depart
ment prior to the reorganization, the following
accepted the provisions of the new ordinance
at subsequent meetings of the Board of Fire
| Directors
| Assistance Engine Co., December %, I7s9
Cohocksink Hose Co., merged with Resolution.
Columbia Engine Co, September l6, 1796.
! Columbia Hose Co., May l, 1906.
Congress Engine Co., May II, 1915.
Decatur Engine Co., February H. 1903.
Diligent Hose Co, June 8, 1920.
Fame Hose Co. January /, 1918.
Good Intent Engine Co., April 26, 1919.
Good Intent Hose Co.. March s, 1904.
Good VIII Engine Co., March 27, 1902.
| Good VIII Hose Co., March !, 1884.
Harmony Engine Co., August "a, 1I84
Hiberna Engine Co., February 20, 1852.
Hope Hose Co., August II, 1905.
Humane Engine Co., March l, 1894.
Independence Hose Co., July 4, 1881
Kingsessing Engine Co., October g. 1857.
Lafayette Hose Co., October 81, 1881.
! Lincoln Hose Co., June 5, 1855.
Manayunk Engine Co., January l. 1888.
Mechanic Engine Co., August H. 1889.
Mount Airy Engine Co., February Q, 1904.
| Moyamensing Hose Co., July 22, 1887.
Niagara Hose Co., March 2S, 1927.
Northern Liberty Engine Co.. May |, 1886.
Northern Liberty Hose Co., May I, 1928.
Resolution Hose Co., April H. 1904.
Rnggod Hose Co., March 20, 1S4T.
Southwark Engine Co., Feb. s. 1927.
| Spring Garden Hose Co., May ~, 1915.
| Taylor Hose Co.. May l, ls47.
TtVOli Hose Co., June /, 1850
Union Hose Co., January 10, 1856.
United Hose Co., date not known.
United States Hose Co., July 4, 1926.
Vtgilant Engine Co, February 2, 1860.
Washington Hose Co., February 22 1911.
! Weccacoe Engine Co., May l. 1890.
West Philadelphia Hose Co., May 10, 1885,
West Philadelphia Engine Co., merged with Co.
! lumba.
William Penn Hose Co., February 8, 1880.
The Officers of the Department.
At q meeting of the Board of Directors of the
department, held in 1855, the following gentle
men were elected its first oflicers;-H. L. Sinex-
son. President; w. K.'Cox and d. R. Ettla, Vice
Presidents; Wm A. Thorp, Treasurer; VIM. A.
Rslin, Secretary; and j. Sloan, Jr., Assistant
! Secretary.
One Of the provisions of the new ordinance
required that the Board of Fire Directors should
ballot for Chief Engineer, and the names of
the three gentlemen receiving the highest num-
Der of votes should be submitted TO Councils,
upon whom devolved the duty of electing chief.
This system carried on for several years,
and finally the power of choosing Chief was,
! In no NJ fha acfa MT End