Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-08-05

the new committees were generally
ready with reports, which were mostly,
however, In the way of bills. Council
decided to pay SEQ to w. A. Hukill
which decision was on long standing
matter. Back in 1895 Mr.. Hukill had
paid license of $3.50 as an auctioneer.
Other auctioneers, however, did not
pay the license, and finally the question
as to one of them went before Judge
Ball, but no decision has been given by
him on the subject. The constitution.
atty of the law under which the license
was issued was questioned, and Council
afterwards made the license fee 800,
under an ordinance passed in con-
formity with a legislative enactment.
For long time Mr.. Hukill has been
wanting to get his money back. Upon
presenting Mr.. Hukill's bill for the
Sl50 Mr.. Oberly submitteds an opin-
ion from City Solicitor Conrad on
the subject, which opinion was that
although Council was not compelled TO
do 30 yet it would be justice to return
the money, and Council would not COM
promise itself in doing 30. Thereupon
on Mr.. Oberly's motion an order was
passed in favor Of Mr.. Hukill for the
amount specified.
Chief Engineer @. II. Welde of the
Fire Department presented his report
for June, which showed five alarms in
that month, three of which we're on ac-
count of coal oil or some kindred fluid.
The report was received and fled.
The chief engineers annual report for
the year ending May 10th, 1897, was
received and accepted, and the commit
tee on printing was authorized to have
it printed.
It is Chief WeIde's first annual re-
port, but the 29th annual report Of the
department. Within the year the de-
partment had responded to 10 alarms,
67 box alarms, and ~ etill alarms.
Fires were fought at Newport and
Barleywood. Reference is made to the
securing Of chemical engines by the
Weccacoe and Water Witch companies.
The fatalities for the year include the
deaths of James McNeal, killed by a
falling wall at morocco factory fire,
October 6th; Oliver Courtney, Novem-
Der I'd, at Eighteenth and Market
streets; W William Dougherty, December
oath at the Union street crossing of the
B. & o. railroad; Mrs. Katie Price,
December Sth, explosion of gasoline
Mrs. McVey, January 18th, suffocated
by smoke. At the morocco factory fire
Of October Sth the entire department
was in service. Boxes 70. lie and III
have been added in the year. The mum
hers OF fire alarms by months, were
as follows: May, 1896, A June, s
July. s.; August 6; September. 8; DC
tober. s.; November, 6; December, -
January, 1897, Z; February, Z; March
5; April, 4; May, 9.
The equipment of the department in
cludes eight steam and two chemica
engines, one truck and four fire extin
guishers, five hose carts and two hose
wagons, one combination chemical en-
CINE and hose wagon, SO horses, min
engine houses, 81 alarm boxes and fiv
tower bells. An official list of tn
membership of the department is given
Chief Engineer Welde recommend
that each engine house have a tele
phone; that another truck be provided
located in the western part of the city
and that something be done toward
having wires be put Underground. Ii
expressed the belief that the law wa
being violated with regard to the stor
ing of combustibles and he thought
careful watch should be kept along thi
line and an inspector should make
his business to examine all bushes
places and not allow boxes and rubbis
accumulate that might impede til
fighting of cellar fire He suggeste
that foreign fire insurance companie
doing business hero be taxed a certai
percentage towards maintaining the fiji
department.
He reported excellent discipline, an
returned his thanks to City Council, I
former Mayor Jstferis for his declart
tiOn in favor OF continuing the yoluI
teer fire department, to Chief of Polit
Dolan, Capts. Chambers and Kane an
members of the police force, to I'll
press, to Superintendent Ayden an
Lineman Hyland, to citizens and
his assistants, Messrs Sicily and .WelsI
The death roll of the departmel
shows IA deaths in the period covered
the membership of deceased havir
been az follows: PhpnIx, /; Fan
Hose, ,; Washington, 3, and Wat
Witch and WeceaGoe, each.
Mary Davis sent communicate
through Councilman Cannon reques
ing that Council refund $93l allegt
overpaid taxes on No. AT East Secor
street.
Mr.. Oberly of the Twelfth ward pr
seDted three communications in rega1
TO alleged overpaid taxes From GeOrl
W. Bush who desired $50. 03 refunder
the money having been paid in 1s
and 1897 for G3, acres of marsh Ian
which being subject to overflow is e
empt from taxation; from Thomas
Appleby, who desired SILL refunde
having overpaid that amount of capt.
tion tax; from j. W. Marklem who d
sired 81 refunded, having paid th
amount of capitation tax, although
resides not here but 10 Christians hu
dred. al the communications on th
subject were referred to the finan
committee.
Mr.. Watson of the Ninth ward Sc
up petition from property owners al
residents OF the eastern end Of that wa
asking that night watchman be plac
at the Twelfth and Fourteenth sire
crossings OF the railroad which o
declared to be dangerous. On mott
Of Mr.. Watson the petition was REFER
to the Street and Sewer Commission.
From ths Police Commission Coun
received request for favorable acti
upon the desired house for bicyces
he erected in the City Hall yard, a
for which Engineer James Wilson ri
pared plans. The commission also
minded Council of the ACCESSIBILITY
cementing Tho cellar Of the City Tia
which is used for ludgers. On mott
OF Mr.. Kane the communication was
ferred to the public buildings q
police committees. After this mad be
uone, Mr.. O'Neill declared that I
police committee had nothing to do vi
it, whereupon Mr. Kane moved rert
sideIatiun OF his motion, and upon
being reconsdered he moved to rs
to tho nubiic huildinus pnmmit "a