Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-09-12
GALyEsTos's FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Various Companies Feel that They are
snnbbed and Resign.

Special 90 the Gazette.
GAiNEstoN, Tx, Sept. 1.-THE day
has been one of suppressed excitement,
and those Of this community both
actively aud pasSl,cly interested In the
protection of property against fire, have
been kept on the tender hooks of sus-
pcnse, from which unenvlabc predica-
meut the latest developments have not
tended to Immediate relief. Explanatory of
the condition of affairs. the citycouncll at
recent meeting decided to change the
present volunteer system toa paid depart.
mcnt, aud, TO eject the object, introduced
suitable resolution This resolution
was referred toa special coiamiitee Of the
lire comukttee and three citizens with In
structions 10 report, giving q comparative
statemcntoi the cost of the maintenance
of the paid aud volunteer departments
SomehowF only the citizens committee
reported.b
This report on being submitted TO the
council was referred back Ia the fire com.
mttce, as there was no evidence that they
had a hand IN the proceedings. II was
at tins stage of the affair that tho frcmen
took action, as il were, forcing the issue
on the city. Even before Il WAS authorl-
tatiycly known what action the council
would t1ke In the premises
the fire commissioners, consisting OF the
foreman ana the companies and the chief
engineer held'a meeting, andItook Official
cognllancc OF the report by deciding to
call the attention of the respective COM
panicS TO the fact that system was
threatened and calling on them Tor an cN-
preston OF views.
Last night It was found that there was
n diversity of opinion, Hook and Ladder
No. being IN favor OF remaining until
relieved, Washington No Nhc pioneer
company urging Immediate diSbandmcnt
Numbers . and . siding with
Washington, but not pronounced
In the expression of their views, No 5
incllning toward the stand'taken by the
hook and ladder company No. 9, the re-
manning company not represented. Under
the circumstances the commissioners re-
ferred the matter back 20 the companies
for their definite action. This morn
Ing Washington No. notified the
mayor OF their intention of disbandlng
at noon, and true TO their declaration &c.
cordlngly did so. The chief engineer
thcreup0h'took charge OF the house, ro-
talnlne inc employees OF the organized
allotment men to serve In case OF an
emergency. The Dire committee OF the
council, on viewing this action, held Il
conference with the citizens committee,
and decided to let the mattcr take Its
course until the next council meeting,
when an ordinance creating n paid de-
partmcnt Will be duly offered.
Meanwhile the chief engineer Is in
TOD In III
bandment of the companies to operate
the engines by hired men. This hasty
action of the hremen, which must quickly
result In II paid fire department. was
brought about by the systematic ignoring
of the volunteer tremen by the city conn
ell When the latter came 10 consider
the question of paid department the vol
untecr companies who have protected the
city forty years thought they should have
been consulted, and to show their dis
pleasure determined TO disbund