Evening journal., 1900-02-27
INSPECTION OF
FIRE APPARATUS
Made Last Night by Members Of
the Fire Committee of City
Council.
DEPARTMENT IN GOOD SHAPE

NIX AMBULANCE DURING THE
THREE YEARS OF ITS EXIST
ENCE-wEsT SIDE COMPANIES
VISITED.
The semi-annual inspection of the To-
cal Fire Department by Council began
last night, and five companies, Fame
Weccacoe, Phoenix, Friendship and
Water Witch were visited. Contrary TO
the custom of past years, the entire
members Of Council did not make the
inspection, as only the Fire Committee
composed of Messrs. Mousley, Smith,
Kane, Monaghan and Pierson, accom-
panied by President Alexander, Chief
Sasse and Assistants Joyce and Pur-
cell, made the tour of the various FIRE
houses. The trip was made also by
trolley car instead of cabs, as for
merly.
The first house visited was that of
the Fame Fire Company, on Second
street. Here everything was found tol
be in frst-class condition, and the COM
mittee was much pleased at the appear
ance in general. The secretary's re-
port was presented to Chairman Nous
ley, as follows: Value of real estate,
$4,000; personal property, $4,000; one
secOnd-class la France engine, one
Silsby hose cart / 500 feet of first-class
and $50 feet Of second-class hose and
three horses.
QUICK TINE MADE.
The next house visited was that Of
the Weccacoe Company, Second and
jackson streets. Here a peculiar incl
1,r r-f
at all inspections for the various COM
panies to give a test alarm to allow
councilmen to note the time in which
the apparatus can get ready for SER
vice. Scarcely had the visitors entered
the engine house when the gong sound
ed Many thought that it was the
usual alarm. but when the bell struck
No. 123 from the box on Eighth, west
Of Orange. it was known that a fire
was under way.
Before the gong had sounded the sec
ond round the horses of the company
dashed from their stalls into their re-
spective places at the apparatus, and in
twenty-five seconds the chemical en-
gine was manned, upon the street, and
the horses started on a dead run for
the fire.
For tie first time in the history of
the Fire Department all OF the officials,
Chief Sasse and Assistants Joyce and
Purcell, rode to a fire on the same ap-
paratus, all three being upon the
chemical engine. Twenty minutes
later the chemical engine returned and
was housed.
The report Of the company as hand
ed to Mr. Mousley was as follows: One
three-story brick house. valued at S12-
900; one second size Clapp & Jones en-
gine, $4,000; one chemical engine with
two sixty-gallon tanks, $4,000; one
hose wagon, $500; 1,6OO feet of first
class hose, 1920; 500 feet medium
hose, s400; five horses, 81 200; house
hold goods, s1,5OO; making a total OF
s23, 800. The company has 104 active
and 20 honorary members.
THE PHOENIX AMBULANCE.
Leaving the Weccacoe Company the
party boarded the trolley cars and pro-
ceeded to the Phoenix house, Twelfth
and King streets. Here, as is always
the case, everything was found to be
in excellent condition. The valuation
Of the property was quoted as follows:
Real estate, $4,000: personal property
SIC, ,450, including one first-class Clapp
& Jones engine, Cne combination truck
and chemical. one hose carriage, six
horses in good condition, one retired
1000 feet of first-class hose and 75C
feet Of second-class hose.
What attracted the attention OF the
visitors most, however, was the ambu-
lance. The conveyance has been in
service under direction of the Phoeni1
Company for three years, and during
that time has responded to SIS calls
Since November 4 last the ambulance
has done all the work in the city anC
vicinity, as on that date the Delaware
Hospital ambulance met with an acci
dent near Centreville, and as the cos
of repair was considered too great, thl
conveyance was put out Of service.
The crew of the ambulance do no
receive one cent from the city as pa.
for their services, nor does the com
pany have any appropriation for tn
maintenance of the vehicle and horse
Their work. is entirely charitable, an,
is extended to all classes and creeds
DR.. James II. Morgan, the ambulanc
surgeon, has not only contributed hi
services since the company began it
ambulance service, but has. also fur
nished implements for surgical cases
medicines and appliances absolutel
AANt " AndA
The visiting committee was nucl
impressed with these facts, and il /
probable that in the near future
measure will be introduced in Counci
10 appropriate money for the suppor
OF the ambulance and for payment q
the attending surgeon.
Before leaving the visitors were in
vited to partake of a fine lunch a
guests of the company.
FRIENDSHIP VISITED.
After leaving the Phoenix house III
committee called upon the Friendshi
Company. Tenth and Shipley street,
Here they were cordially received an
shown through the house by memberi
The Friendship Company has one {
the finest equipped houses in the cit,
its meeting room being especially al
tractiye and created much favorabl
comment.
The report from the secretary fo
lows. One fbur-StOrv brick fhOusq va