Evening journal., 1899-03-01
INSPECTION CLOSED
City Council Finishes Looking
Over of Fire Companies
EVERYTHING WAS SATISFACTORY

TEE IN lNSFlEJlWNG UliiE CITY S
APPARATUS Us-LIBEBTY LEADS
ON THE EAST s1DE.
The seml-annual inspection OF the
different fire companies Of the city by
City Council was finished .asl night.
At 8 O'Clock Mayor NIcLear, Council
men Clberly, Smith, Kane, Watson,
Cannon, Morris, Zeb.ey, CLERK Morrison.
Bailiff Ryan, Chief Sasse, of the Fire
Department.; Assistants Joyce and Pur-
cell, City Tneasurer's Clerk Kloberg
and a number Of others took cabs
from the City Hail and proceeded TO
visit the fire houses in the eastern
portion Of the city.
The Phoenix, Delaware, 'fWaslhy"
and Reliance houses were looked over
In succession, an of whose apparatus
was found TO be in fine condition. The
last place to be visited was the Liberty
Company, in South Wilmington. Here
the Fire Committee, chief and assist
ants were more than pleased. The
house was found to be in perfect con-
ditiOn, and the engine, hiose cart and
necessary equipments all that could be
desired. The horses, which come di-
rectly under the charge Of Driver
James Dougherty, exhibited almost
human intelligence in responding to
the tap OF the gong and returning TO
their stalls at the word. Of command
from Dougherty. Had it not been for
the bad condition Of the roads the
company would have given a run for
the benefit Of the visitors.
Among the Improvements noticed in
the house since the last inspection are
new papering and painting throughout
the second stcry, hot and cod water
appliances. bath rooms. and everything
that goes to make the life Of a fireman
as comfortable as possible.
The most noticeable innovation,
however, is a patent electrical device
which at night alike raises the trap
OF the Gliding pole, lights all electric
burners, opens all doors, loosens
horses and strikes The gong. Driver
Dougherty has an attachment i'm his
home nearby, by which, If the alarm
strikes while ne is at a neal his wife.
t,,- ,,.e.-iner a u,,,4for, ,,. bfo ,.~.-fl..rt.,
opens all doors Of the fire house, and
by the time Driver Dougherty. springs
upon his engine all is ready for his de-
paGture for the fire.
In speaking of the Liberty Company
last night Chief Sasse said: 'TThis COM
pany is The youngest in the department
and the rapid strides they have made
toward a perfectly equipped organiza-
ton is remarkable. Considering the dis
tnce they usually have to travel in
case of an alarm and the roads over
which they have to go, they make ex-
csedingly good time"
Mayor nIcLear lis not usually COM
munlcative, but he was heard to re-
mark as he was driven home last
night: wen, that company IS a,
right in every respect
During the evening speeches were
made by Mayor MuLear, Councalmer
Morris, Cannon. zebley, and Smith
Mr.. Morrison, john j. Ryan, Chiel
Sasse and Messrs. Purcell and Joyce
President Pyle, Ct the company; Treas
mer John May and John p. Welch
who i'm the words Of that veteran fire
man, Hugh Wallace. will be the mex
chief of the Fire Department If 1 car
help him." Mr.. Hannigan sang severa
fine selections.
The property of the Liberty consists
Of rea, estate valued at s110O0; per
lsOnal at IS, $3.50, as follows: La Franc
engine, $4,000; Gleason & Bailey hos
Wagon, S40O;one extra wagons, $500; 1,
400 feet OF hose, $500; three horses
$3.50; five sets of harness, $500, AM
furniture, $1,000; membership, 80
The Delaware Truck has three
story brick building and brick stabl
valued at $500; one Hayes extensiol
truck, with 25O feet Of ladder, $4,000
four horses, $1,000. Total $4,000.
The active membership is 80 and tn
honorary enrolment 40.
The Phoenix and the ''Washy" com
panaes need no description, the ambu
e lance CT the former, (which does ser
vice without compensation, was in eN
cellent condition. The "Washy's" az
params was found to be in it's usus
shape, always ready for service tmm'
> diately upon a call. The property {
the Phoenix, including the house, on
hrst-class Carp & Jones engine, or
truck and extinguishers. one hose ear
one ambulance for publii service, 1,2l
feet Of frst-class hose, is valued
S21, 400.
The personal property of the Wasl
ingtcn company consists Of one sc
ond-class Amoskeag engine, one fcu