Evening journal., 1901-02-22
FIRRMEN NOW
SERIOUSLY AT ODDS
Combine Representatives
Refuse to Meet "Anti-
Combine Men

Firemen throughout the city are much
agitated as we'll as interested over the
bill now pending before the General As
sembly providing for a change in the
method of electing officers OF the Fire
Department.
There is also much ill-feeling among
members Of the combine" and anti
combine" as was shown by the proceed
ings last night when representatives, OF
the combinations met In the Friendship
house TO explain to the legislators OF the
Wilmington district the merits and de-
merits of the measure pending. The only
members of the General Assembly pres
ent were Senator McNulty and Repre-
sentntives Healy, Monaghan and Hitch
en-. Senator Knox and Representatives
Robertson and Baynard did not come up
from Dover, telegram being received
from Mr., Baynard saying that he was
navoidably detained.
REFUSED JOINT SESSION.
The first outward sign Of any friction
among the fremen was when the COM
blnation representatives refused TO come
into the room at the same time as the
anti-eombination men and debate the bill
before the legislators. The "anti-com-
bines" claim that the reason the com
bine" hremen gave for this action was
that discussion might arise between the
two factions which might result In
trouble. The Combine" men say that
/ they had nothing To discuss and were
willing that the "antis" should have their
say first and then they would present
their side of the question afterwards.
The anti-combnation men had engaged
| W. +. Kurtz TO state their case TO the
legislators and urge them 10 press the
passage Of the bill Mr. Kurtz spoke
briefly OF the object OF the meeting and
regretted the fact that the combine
hremen refused TO meet the others on
open ground and discuss the proposed
bin freely and fairly. lie said that al
1.-THE ant-comhination men asked was thai
the Legislature pass the proposed meas
ure which would give each fire company
an equal chance 10 select officers OF tn
department. He said that the creates
, complaint OF the anti-comhination com
panies was that the combination com
panies had entered into another agree
ment 10y which officers would be clecte
for the next ten years. II the bin shoul
pass, harmony would exist In the eDtir
department.
Frank Brand, president OF the Fam
Hose Company, spoke in behalf Of tn
/ bill and said that the present combination
u was "more vicious than a modern trust.
Frank Shull, Of the Delaware Company
James II. Kane, Of the Reliance; Il. Il
Reynolds, Thomas @. Doub and 70. i
Kane, OF the Water Witch, spoke strong
ly in favor OF the proposed bill.
After the "anti-combines" were give
a herring, the Combine" delegates wer
, admitted and stated their side of tn
question. Chief John =. Welsh, OF IN
Liberty, former Chief Dennis $. Shield.
, Weccacoe; William Morgan, of th
Friendship. and John Shipley, Of tn
Washington, urged the legislators 20 'le
well enough alone" No legislation wa
wanted as the department is in bette
, shape than ever and that the iremen ar
. able 20 take Of their own officers. Tn
combine" men denied absolutely that tn
"anti-combine' had a majority Of th
hremen in the department, that the
might have a majority of honorary mem
bers. but not of active ones. They ais
denied positively that any former Oilicia
of the department is in favor Of breakin
the combination.
Senator McNulty, who acted as chair
man. after the meeting had closed, sal
Il was unfortunate that the fremen coul
Q not settle their difficulties without apply
ing to the Legislature. 1t Is probable tina
, the bill will be reported unfavorahly b
y the Wilmington members Of the Genera
Assembly. Representative Kitchen wa
7 not present the entire evening, having a
important engagement which called hii
away.