Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-03
FRICTION AMONG FlREMEN.
Difference of OPINION Concerning the Man.
per OF Participating In the Parade Next
entauhar

Difference of Opinion Concerning the Nam
per oil Participating IN the Parade Next
september.
Some friction has developed in the
fire department over the manner of
participating in the parade on Septem-
Der 9Th, which is to be given as fea-
ture of the convention of Municipal
Electricians to be held on September
9th, 9Th and It'll.
Soon after the Board of Trade took
in hand the matter of providing enter
tainment for the delegates and visitors
to the convention and electrical exhi-
bition, the boards committee of ar.
engagements suggested that u review of
the police and fire departments take
place on some day during the conven-
ton, to give the visitors, as well as the
people OF the city, an opportunity to
see Just what Wilmington has in the
line of provisions for public safety, and
invitations were sent to the two depart
ments, together with the request that
the police and firemen parade together.
The matter was presented to the
Board of Police Commissioners by
Chief Dolan and so far as that depart
ment is concerned, it was decided to
grant the request of the committee, as
there is usually review of the force
in the fall of each year. The men are
assembled at the stationhouse and their
uniforms and equipment inspected by
the commissioners or parade and are
inspected in that manner, so that no
expense il attached to the parade
feature.
When the invitation went to the fire
department.. representatives of the
several companies held several meet
ings, and, while it was unanimously
agreed to participate in the parade,
the question was brought up as to
whether it would be advisable to have
only the apparatus of each company in
line or to have the apparatus accom-
panied by the members of each COM
pany. At first there was wide differ
once of opinion on the subject. The
| representatives of the several COM
| panies presented tho matters to their
fellow members and as the weight of
the sentiment among the tiremen gen
orally appeared to be in favor of having
only the apparatus in parade, it was
decided at a meeting few days ago,
by q vote of representatives of all of the
companies except the Phoenix Co., to
participate in that manner, with only
| the apparatus, while the Phoenix Co.
insisted on having its mon in limo also,
| and SO far as the members of the COM
| panies have been advised, the matter
stands in that shape. The Phnnix Go.
expects to participate in the parade
with its apparatus and full compile
ment of men, while the other companies
expect to take out only their apparatus.
This" said member of one of the
other companies this morning, is an
unsatisfactory state of affairs. We
think all of the companies should
parade on the same basis, either with
or without the men, and, as the
majority favor exhibiting only the APP
! paratus, hope the Phoenix people will
see the matter as | do and cooperate
with the other companies.
An effort is being made to have the
Phoenix Co. change its plans to agree
with those of the remainder OF the de-
partment, but whether it will be sue
cessful is not known. Whether there
is any change in tho situation or it re
mains unchanged, the difference OF
opinion will not prevent the parade
from taking place and each company
pr oposes to make fine appearance.
Nearly all of the apparatus in the de
partment is being touched up, while
some of the machines are receiving ex-
tensive overhaulings, and the indica-
tions are that everything will look like
now and the parade will be a grand
| success.