Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1904-04-13
CITIZENS..URGE NECESSITY
BETTER FIRE PROTECTION
COUNCIL SHOWN IMPORTANCE OF TAKING
ACTIVE STEPS TO FURNISH MORE HOSE.
Joint Committee Representing Citizens of
Smyrna and Hose Company Ask Council
For 800 Peet Of Hose and S215 Dues.

FAIRIES and John W. Roberts. rem
resenting the citizens of Smyrna, and
Messrs. Joseph E. Carter, Frank F.
Evans and Henry S. Anthony, repre-
senting the Hose Company, appeared
before the Town Council in session
Friday evening to petition that BODY
to furnish the Hose Company with
500 more feet of new hose and to nav
said Hose Company the 1925 arrear-
age due them under the resolution
that Council was to give the Citizens
Hose Company $500 per wear. It
being three years since they have
received a cent. The recent fire at
the Prettymsn Shirt Factory brought
home some serious lessons and has
stirred our citizens up to the point of
having better fire protection. With
only 800 feet of hose when there
should have been 1900 feet, the Hose
Company were obliged to fight the
factory fire under serious difficulties
and with three streams attached to a
slx-lnch South street. main, the pres
SIRE was materially brought down and
the streams of water were not suffi-
Gent to do effective work. Had the
Hose Company been provided with
enough hose to make an attachment at
the Commerce street main the condi-
ton OF things would have been much
better. The joint committee inn
pressed upon the Council the need
for prompt action in this regard and
showed that it would be better for the
town to raise the tax rate sufficient
to equip themselves with the facili-
ties for fighting fire, than to run
any risk. In the one case the ex-
ira burden would only be upon the
people one year, in the other case
there is no telling what might be the
consequences.
Property Owners Willing to Bear Taxation.
At the recent citizens meeting
consisting of large property own
ers, there was not man who did not
favor an increase of town taxes to
purchase the necessary equipment.
They want 300 feet of new hose which
with the 800 now in use, would give
the Hose Company 1900 feet. The
1925 back dues will be applied toward
converting the present cumbersome
ladder truck into a new and up-to-date
one and to getting two new hose car
riages, additional rubber SUITS &C.
The Hose Company has at prese Mt
membership of 30, each of whom has
"a individual locker and suit. It is
the purpose OF the officers of the
Association to increase the member
ship to fifty. Those who took part in
the discussion were Edward G. Walls,
William FAIRIES, Joseph E. Carter and
Henry s. Anthony. The committee
was assured by President Reynolds
that the Council would take the mat
ter under careful consideration.
Pumps al Power Station Undergoing Repairs.
When President Reynolds called
the Council to order, every member
was in his seat, and from beginning
to close the Council had a busy ses-
sion. Much of the time was taken up
In receiving the Trolley and Hose
Company delegations. The various
town departments under the new ad-
mlnistratiOn were found to be in a
good running condition. Chairman
Grieves of the Light and Water Com
mlttee reported plenty of coal on hand
and said work was being pushed as
rapidly as possible in repairing the
big pump at the station. The work
Is being executed by Mr.. George W.
Taylor and would be done in abou
III days. Chairman Robinson of the
street Committee reported that he
mad purchased on the advice of the
committee and several members of
the Council, 1000 bushels of oyster
shells from A. E. Jardine, which was
being placed on the streets. As the
spring weather opens, our streets and
1horoughfares are receiving much
needed attention.
J. E HOfiecker Completes Assessment.
Assessor j. Edwin Hofecker SUBJ
United his assessment for the year
lSO4, which amounted to $1,000, 900
real and $477 poll, a decrease from
mat Of last year of about $725. The
latter is attributed to the wiping out
u the Prettyman Factory. Council
assessed the John II. Hoffecker Es-
'ate' In which the Assessor was per-
Sonally interested. at $1O,5OO. On |
motion an order was drawn for $50 to
pay Assessor HoAecker for his work.
council adjourned to meet next Fri
aAy euening at 7.30 O'Clock when the
aUlley and Hose Company petitions
VIII be finally settled.