Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-11-26
HORSE, AUro OR MoroRcYCLEi

q QUESTION that now is being considered inform
ITALY by members of City Council is whether the
city shall provide the chief OF the Fire Department
with automobile motor cycle for use in making
to fires. At present he horse and wagon.
That equipment has not been satisfactory at all
times. The feeling seems to be general that It is of
the highest importance that the chief should have
conveyance which viii take him to the scene Of fire
with the greatest possible expedition. Our opinion
Is that that feeling is based upon substantial grounds
There times when the quick appearance Of the head
of the department results in the saving Of hundreds
and thousands Of dollars New York and other
cities which have large and efficient fire departments
found that automobile is better than any other
conveyance for the OF their department command
and that in the saving of life and property such
machines pay for themselves many times over in the
OF year.
AS understand the situation from current discus
sion the question, the horse and wagon of the
ond assistant chief of local department ready
to be retired from the service It is planned that the
second assistant shall take the horse and wagon of
the chief Of the department With that change made
the question naturally arises with the Counclmen
whether they shall buy horse and for the
chief equip him with automobile motorcycle.
horse and will cost from $3.50 to $4O0 and
approximately $3.50 year for maintenance; auto
mobile would cost approximately $780, while motor
cycle Of the size and power needed would COST with
accessories and distinguishing marks and signals, per-
haps 5000.
Regard for economy would seem 10 suggest the pur-
chase Of a motorcycle and yet there is such thing
dear economy When rush to a fire is being made,
one of the prime essentials is that all vehicular and
pedestrian traffic shall stop and clear the way for the
hre-fghtng apparatus. It is doubted that at such
time the same respect would be paid to a motorcycle
that would be paid to automobile with distinguish
ing marks and signals. Furthermore the hazards
which attend the Of motorcycle and the physical
injury from vibration fast runs, greater than
those which attend the automobile.
It may be pleaded that a motorcycle go places
make shortcuts that inaccessible to auto
mobile That true and yet it must not be forgotten
that an automobile 30 any place to which fire
engines and trucks go, especially if they be auto
engines and auto trucks, which, in the of three
or four years probably Will make up fre-hghtng
equipment and that a chief and a motorcycle would
be Of little anywhere without the backing of the
engines and trucks
We think that prior to reaching any decision in the
matter our Councmen should take into account orig
nal cost maintenance, depreciation benefit and the
other clements which usually control in the deber-
ations Of busness-ke men. They should bear in mind
at all times however that it is Of paramount import
ance that head Of Fire Department shall reach
the of a conhagraton quickly possible after
alarm has been sounded If a machine be purchased,
every time his quick presence at fire results in the
saving OF life property the saving should be cred
tied to the automobile motorcycle account If that
be done, think the account will show that
Council has made good Investment for property
ers. matter whether automobile a motorcycle
be decided upon for the chiefs use.