Evening journal., 1910-03-02
FINISH VIEW
OF FIRE HOUSES
City COunCiImen Much Pleas
ed With Condition Of the
Department

The fire committee of City Council
completed its semi-annuaI inspection of
the Fire Department last night. on
Monday evening the companies on the
west side were visited and last nirht
those on the east side were Inspected.
Chairman Higgins. of the fire commit
tee, of Council, said at the finish Of
the inspection that he never saw the
department in better condition and this
opinion was voiced by all who made
the tour of the twelve companies.
The Delaware company was the first
visited last night and the members Of
the party were surprised on being
taken to the basement of the building
TO find that a splendid luncheon had
been prepared for them. Caterer Zim-
mermann was in charge. At this en-
gine house remarks were made on sub
jects pertaining to the Fire Depart-
ment by President of Council Ban
ming and Councilmen Dempsey and
Higgins. Clerk of Market Thurston
M. Lowe, a member OF the Delaware
Company. acted as POSTMASTER
The next stop was made at the
Washington engine house where an
other luncheon was spread. One OF
the things the members of the COM
pany point to with pride is the inscrip-
tion above the stable doors which in
forms all visitors that the Washing
ton Fire Company holds the worlds
record for throwing a stream of water.
The distance was $50 feet 10 1-2
inches.
When the inspection party arrived at
the Reliance engine house the men,
bers Immediately began a minute ex-
animation Of the new automobile an
paratus. just purchased by that COM
pany. 1t was announced last night
that the official test of the machine
will be held at West street and the
Park Drive at o'clock on Saturday
afternoon. II is hardly likely, how
ever, that the apparatus will be placed
in actual commission for several weeks.
as the company allows a months time
for trials.
The Reliance Company will not dis
pose of its present steamer but will
keep it. in addition to two horses, for
use in case Of big fires. This will give
the company two splendid fire fighting
machines.
The Liberty Fire Company was next
visited and was found TO be in excel
lent condition. From there the trip
was made to the Independence Fire
Company. John w. Porter. MEM
ber of the Phoenix Company, who viii
be elected first assistant engineer Of
the Fire Department, in May. will make
his headquarters at the Independence
house. He lives in that section of
the city and that company will make
provisions for stabling his horse and
carriage. An architect is now drawing
plans for the alterations.
The Brandywine engine house was
found in the pink of condition. having
recently been painted. This company
is also building a hose rack, which
will be completed shortly.
The last stop was made at the
Phoenix engine house where lunch
was served following the inspection OF
horses and apparatus.
Those in the inspection part were;
President of Council Banning. Council
man Dempsey. Rash. Higgins. Taylor.
DuRoss, Benson and Bilderback, Clerk
Of Council George II. McGovern. Clerk
of Market T. b. Lowe. Bailiff Of Coun-
ell James ]. Riley, former Councilman
James c. O'Neal. Fire Chief Porter
and Assistant Engineers McGiIl and
McNally. ID. w. Townsend. of Doyles-
town, Pa, and Max Fraenckel.