Morning journal and courier., 1889-03-29
TALK IN WEST HAVEN.

Will There Be a Paid Fire Depart.
 ment2-A Chemical Engine to be Pur-
 chased-VariOus Plans Discussed.
 Much talk has been aroused within the limits of our neighbor, West Haven borough, since the late fire there, over the question of having fire department. The effort some months ago to have fire department there was ''fash in the pan" but now the sub- feet is reawakened and the matter is spirited ly discussed. Much diversity of sentiment,i it is found by our reporter, exists. The hose cart problem is again agitated. It is claimed by some that this is all that is needed, with the use of the hydrants. Others want 8 fire steamer and hose with it, with regular available force of iremen. Others still ad vocate using New Haven steamers. They think that some arrangement should be had by which the New Haven fire department, or at least portion of 1t, could be called in if there was any need of it. They think that a special agreement could be made about bills, and do not anticipate any hitch in this direction if their plan was adopted. It seems more profitable to them to make use of our excellent fire service at comparatively small cost than to spend far greater amount upon an engine of their own, which would not be nearly as good or serviceable. There is atill another class.
 The most liberal of all in views upon this mooted question, which has indeed been 8 spectre to the borough for many week be- fore the present fire, and before the Hinman house fire, are those bold individuals who came together last fall and formed pioneer fire company. The company was there, but the apparatus was not, and men without some sort of squirter are well nigh useless in caseeof fire. Their efforts to get even a shown. without avail. These men are now, however, again awake, and the company which was then formed and has since dwindled almost into oblivion is now once more prominent. In fact they have taken rapid strides upon their own authority, and 1t is understood among the knowing ones that the communi- ty will not long rest in it's unprotected plight but will soon have thing omnipotent in their midst which will revel in fire as mon ster in it's natural element.
 It will be chemical engine.
 This is the first offspring of the late fire, and promises to grow at last to something like thing of self-sustenance. It is true that every big fire in the borough, and there have been several at one time and another has given rise to just such move ment, which has finally dwindled away af- ter period of agitation. But people say this last move has come to stay, and indeed it seems to bear that appearance. The new engine will be given trial about the first of April by the fire company, and if everything is satisfactory it will probably be secured as permanent dweller among West Havenites and constant prop, defender and protec tion against the fiery ravages of out successfully by the bold fire company, it is possible that the borough it. self will at last venture to take hand in the matter. It is also understood that the same borough has learned good lesson by late experiences and will shortly pay the $250 which it owes to the New Haven fire depart- ment for services rendered, and people gen. erally add services rendered very cheaply too. Prominent West Haveners say, how- ever, that the borough has acted in perfect good faith about the bill.
 But the issue is to come and however it will go when the thing comes to a final trial is food for speculation perhaps, but no one seems to be at all clear upon the subject just at present.