Evening journal., 1901-02-21
QUESTION WILL
BIB DISCUSSED
Legislators to Meet Firemen
in Friendship House
This EIeniDg

From indications the question or
"comblne" and "anti-combine" be-
tween the fire companies ofWilmington
has become a serious one to firemen,
public opinion being divided about
equally for and against
In the Friendship engine house this
evening at 8 o'clock, the question viii
be fully discussed. when members Of
the Wilmington district Of the Cen
eral Assembly will meet committees
from the several fire companies in the
city and hear arguments, pro and con,
regarding the bill now before the Leg
islature governing the election of Off
cials of the department A committee
Of three from each company will be
present, twenty-seven in all, and the
combine" and "anti--combine" will
each present its side Of the question
of the subject TO the legislators. The
first proposition was to have hear
ling before the Fire Committee Of Coun-
ell, but that body, not caring to take
part in the controversy, suggested that
as it was a matter entirely for the
General Assembly to decide, that the
situation should be thoroughly explain
ed TO Wilmington members of the Leg
lslature, and it is probable that any.
suggestion they make make in Dover
viii be adopted
WANT REASONABLE PROPOSITION
Members ofthe' anti combine 'compan-
.esies which includes the Fame, Ret
lance, Water Witch and Delaware, ca
press themselves willing to agree to
any reasonable proposition. 1t is said
they say that hey are willing TO con
cede the next chief Of the Fire Depart
ment TO the combine" companies.
provided that at the following cleo
ton the chief shall be chosen from
Company No. /, the Friendship. and
then follow the selection down the
line in rotation, until the Liberty. No
49, is reached. They Will agree to no
other proposition.
Members Of the combine" fire com
lpanies of the city are stnenuOusly op-
posing any measure that may be
brought before the Legislature to
change the present method OF electing
lofficers.
The following communication has
been prepared by the combination,
and will be presented TO the General
Assembly:
] To the Members OF the Legislature in
> Dover Assembled.
Dear Sirs: We, the undersigned, rep
resentatiyes of a majority of the fire
8 companies of the Wilmington Fire De-
partment, would respectfully ask that
you, in the event OF a bill being pre-
sented at this session Of the Legisla-
. ture, changing the law in regard TO the
election OF Officers OF the Wilmington
/, Fire Department, use your influence
and vote that such bill may be de-
I feated, as we deem the present law a
fair and just one. in that it enables a
majority Of the fire companies OF the
department to make it's own selection.
which wa consider is proper in a vol
) unteer department, as 1t creates an
interest and rivalry in the companies
which we believe to be beneficial. for
under the present law, this depart
ment has Progressed and is as well
equipped and as efficient as
any paid department in the
, United States and its officers have
been capable and impartial in the dis
charge of their duties; and further be.
lieve that il the proposed change in
the law is made that, Instead of har.
mOny which exists at the present time
except that a minority of the compan.
les refuse 30 be governed by the ma.
jority there will be bitterness and baf
9 feeling; also that 1t will have a ten.
p dency to destroy the present efficiency
and discipline of the department; ant
II we also believe that It would create
bad precedent, In that it would encour
, age other dissatisfied members of tn,
department TO go to each succeeding
Legislature with a bill and keep the
department in an unsettled condition
and thereby destroy the best volun.
teer fire department in the world, ant
e saddle an additional burden on the al
$ ready overburdened taxpayers of vii
n mingtOn.
e Hoping that you will give this mat.
l. ter due consideration, and that at least
o. before this law is changed you will ac
) cord the representatives OF the ma.
iofty Of the fire companies a hearing
we remain,
Respectfully yours,
WILLIAM MORGAN,
Friendship.
/