Evening journal., 1904-07-11
CITY COUNCIL
TAKES CHARGE
Affairs of the Lenape Fire
Company Turned Over
to That Body
no TAX OF lISBANDMlNT
But Company viii be Rsorsanized,
New Blood lnstilled Into It and
Fire Engine Put in First Class Con-
diton.
snenlal n rhe rrnnlnr Innrnal-

Special 10 The Evening Journal.
New Castle. July 10.-At meeting OF
City Council and members of the Lem
ape Fire Company held yesterday af-
ternoon 81 was decided TO turn over the
apparatus and books of the company
to Council for the purpose of reorgani-
cation. The company win not disband
until a new one is formed.
In accordapse with the request of
CITY Council members of the Lenape
Fire Company met that body In the
engine house yesterday afternoon and
after conference lasting two hours
IL was decided that the above mention
ed course was the proper one to pur-
sue to straighteu ont the present tam
gle In which the company found itself
and place IL on am active and efficient
footing.
Company Going Down.
4 For some time past there has been
z dissension in the company and IL had
grown TO such ain extent that it be-
came evident that IL was only a ques-
tion OF time before the organization
would go TO pieces ANA the city be left
without proper fire protection. II was
with view OF remedyng this state
OF affairs that Council decided to take
hand IN the matter
Al the meeting of yesterday the con-
dition Of the company and apparatus
was thoroughly discussed and matters
brought to light that long ago should
have had attention. From the state
ments made the engine Is practically
unht for work, that her pumps needed
repairs and that over half the tubes
had been injured In firing the steamer
TO such am extent thai many of them
leaked badly.
The books Of the company were IN
such state that Il was practically
impossible to make head or tain out of
them, and In fact the entire organiza-
tion was on the verge of collapse. IL
was claimed that this state OF affairs
was brought about partly by the Off
GERS Of the company and partly by the
men.
During the meeting there was consid-
erable friction between members over
the questions under discussion but the
cooler heads prevailed and the motion
permitting Council TO take charge of
the affairs was carried almost unani-
mously.
Some of the members wanted to know
that II Council assumed charge If they
the members, il they saw fit could Sc,
the engine upon the street. They were
promptly met with the answer that
Council was paying an annual renta
for the engine house. I'm shape of an
appropriation of $3.50 per year IN
which 10 house the apparatus. which
IT, as representatives Of the citizens
owned
Others Of the warmer spirited mem.
bers desired TO know who, in case OF
fire, would take out the engine but
this, query was blocked by the reply
that IN a number Of instances outsiders
worked as hard at fires as some of the
members and there was no doubt but
that they would do so again.
AS a result Of the meeting all the
documents and papers pertaining TO the
company were taken in charge by
Council and Henry Madden appointed
temporary custodian of the building
and property until matters arc a5
!ustea. Ihe members of the company
VIII continue to have access 10 tha
building and respond TO fires untn re-
organization is effected In the ab
sence Of president Charles Douob
erty, Vice-president, occupied the chair
Councils Proposition.
In taking charge of the Affairs Of IN,
nre company Council has but one Oh.
ject In view and one which meets viii,
the approval OF an good citizens nm,
property owners-the betterment OF m.
organization and its equipments. i,
order to accomplish this end 1t has bee,
determined 70 appoint committee %
ten hremen who will act In conjunctio,
with Council in the reorganizlng pro
cess and the wedding out Of undesir
able members. The membership rol
now contains the names Of about Is