Evening journal., 1904-08-15
FIRE COMPANY
HAS DISBANDED
'Deplorable Condition of AZ
fairs Made This Step Neces-
sary on Part Of Firemen
COUNCIL WILL REORGANIzt It

Special to l-he Evening Journal
New Castle. Aug. 15.-At an adjourn
ed meeting of the Lenape Fire Com
pany held in the engine house yester-
day afternoon it was unanimously de-
cided to disband the company and turn
over all equipments and papers and
accounts pertaining to the organization
TO City Council for the purpose Of re-
organization.
The meeting was called to order at
2.3O o'clock and owing to a vacancy in
the presidential chair James J. Ryan,
Jr.. was named as temporary chairman
and John Fitzgerald temporary secre-
tary.
Mr.. Ryan stated the object Of the
meeting and requested a statement
from Councilman Smith in relation to
the matter.
Mr.. Smith said that the committee of
Council was not yet ready to make
complete report. 1t was impossible for
Council to show the true condition of
affairs at present. 1t had been busy
for some time working to straighten
out the tangle in the books Of the COM
pany, but had not met with the de-
sired success. Now it was awaiting the
books Of Treasurer James b. Toman,
who was looking after some vouchers,
and when that was completed Council
would have finished a statement Of the
organization from the reorganization
in 1901 to the present time. 1t is claim
ed that the treasurer has not received
the appropriation, which was the pro-
ceeds Of the last ball, Report had been
made that it had been. turned over, but
this was denied by Mr.. TOman. The
receipts amount to S57.42.
Mr.. Smith said that under the present
condition of affairs the company could
not exist and the question now was,
How can a reorganization be ef-
fected."
If the company reorganized under the
same state of affairs as now exist, it
could neither receive nor expect to re-
ceive the support Of the people of this
city. A great many people were will
ing. however, to contribute toward the
support of a reputable fire company.
Complaints had been made by these
people and many other citizens that
the engine house had been for some
time filthy vile place and a loafing
place for drunks. All kinds of reports
about carryings on the place were
heard. The engine and apparatus were
not properly looked after and no pride
was taken in the place. The engine
house was no place for drunks. The
company, if reorganized, must have
good men at its head and the city
must have a fire company that shall
be credit to it and each member be
a credit to himself. 1t must have a
proper head.
Daniel Sullivan moved that the meet
ing adjourn until Sunday next to hear
the report Of the Council in full when
the hnal report of the treasurer Of the
company would be ready.
John ]. Sheridan said: ct cannot SEE
that this would do any good. 1 fee
that in order to place the company in
good shape it cannot be done too soor
and il is well to allow Council to pro.
ceed in the matter. To attempt Z,
conduct the company under present cir
Il cumstances is folly. We cannot expec
the people to support it and they will
not. I think that in justice to ourselve,
and the tax payers it is best to Civ,
up to others and at least give some
body else a chance to see if the com
pany cannot be placed in better con
dition with proper men at the heaS
& of it. / therefore move that the Len
ape Fire Company disband and plac,
8 all the affairs of the department in tn
4 hands OF the Council"
Mr.. Sullivan seconded the motion.
B Mr.. Smith said he would like to un
derstand what was done before whel
I the company reOrganized several year
ago. II it had disbanded.
Mr. Sheridan replied that It held tn
old charter and after disbanding reor
# ganized by electing new officers.
q Mr. Lenoir believed that it would b
advisable to disband and secure. if ne
81 cessary, a new charter under a ney
name and have fire company tina
NJ shall be a creditable one to the city an
n each one belonging to it.
81 John Campbell. who was called upo
"a for his opinion, said that although n
al was a member of the company he ha
81 taken no active part in the work Of tn