Evening journal., 1912-02-06
FIREMEN
OPPOSE PAID
DEPARTMENT
Not Agreed Yet or Fire Mar
ShalShip Question, Council
men Learn
INSPECT EAST SIDE
COMPANIES TONIGET


among the members of the west side
fire companies, whose properties were
inspected last night. by members of
City Council, the volunteer tiremen, at
least on that side of the city, are op-
Fposed to a paid fire department for the
city. Letters had been sent to the vari-
GUS companies by Chairman Robert
G.. Conner, of the fire committee Of
Council. asking their views on the sub
ect of a paid department and also the
Rdvisability of having a fire marshal
to direct the department, but only the
Water Witch had discussed the two
questions in regular meeting, the
other companies not having had meet
ing since the communication was re-
peiyed by them. The presidents of the
different companies we're present last
night, however, when the Councilmen
called and a statement was obtained
from each of them.
Henry NJ Lang. president of the
Friendship Fire Company said his
company had not discussed the subject
in meeting. but from what he had
heard the members say, he believed
they would be satisfied to leave the
subject entirely to the people, for de-
cisicn.
At the Brandywine engine house,
President James Logue expressed the
opinion that the members would vote
against a paid department.
It was at the Water Witch Com
panys house that the first real ex-
preston of opinion on the questions
was given. At this company. Edward
,,rnufTo,f -. lrfnc
the members. informed the visiting
delegation that the advisability of
having a fire marshal for the depart
ment had not been decided in meet
ing, the question having been laid
over to a future time. but on the
question Of a paid department Mr.
Kane announced that the company
had no recommendation to make, but
wanted It understood that it was OPP
posed to a paid department. He said
that as there was no question con-
cerning the efficiency of the present
department and as IL would cost
several hundred thousand dollars to
institute a paid department. he
thought the money could be better
expended i'm the erection Of new
CITY hall. the construction Of river
front to bring trade to Wilmington. or
for use in paving the streets and I'M
proving the park system.
Mr. Kane contended that no mat
fer how many companies there might
he i'm a paid department the service
could be no better than at present
on the question of a fire marshal. Mr..
Kane said the company had taken no
action. but would at the proper time,
express an opinion.
Col Weller +. Stover. chairman ol
the finance committee Of Council, one
of the inspection party. said the paid
fire department subject had been talk
cd of here for years. but he did moi
think the fire companies should nave
any fear Of a paid department, STEP
ming in to replace the present depart
ment for some time, at least lie
said that to maintain a paid depart
ment would cost the city about $780,
OOO a year. whereas the present de.
partment entails an expenditure oi
Int 100000. He said that not only
should this additional expenditure be
considered but the first cost would
ne a big item. He said he has seer
and heard OF cases to crutcise al
fires. but as a whole, the department
was efficient and he held the same
opinion as Mr.. Kane, that the time
had not yet arrived for a paid depart
ment
Mr.. Kane replied that when the
people wanted a paid department the
Water Witch Company was ready lie
said the people instituted the volun'
teer department and should have the
say in making any change.
80 y
Benson, Jr., was of the opinion thai
the present department filled exist
ing needs.
Councilman Higgins. Of the ThirC
ward. congratulated the members oi
the Water Witch Company in the con
clusion they had reached, and added
that he thought they were wise II
their action.
At the Union Company engine house
no meeting had yet been called to dis
cuss the matter, but Edward A. Nc.
Nally, president said the sentiment
among the members seemed to be
against a paid department.
William J Bayley. president of the
Weccacoe Fire Company. said he die
not know the feeling of the members
of the company on the subject, as he
mad not taken up the matter with then
in regular meeting.
William j. Lutz, president Of the
Fame Fire Company, said that the
subject would be considered at the
next meeting Of the company and
that he had no statement to make a.
this time.
Department in Good Shape.
The inspection party, which was
headed by Chairman Conner, Of the
fire committee. found the companies
~ excellent condition, and also learn
- of some improvements that were
being made to further increase the ef
fciency Of the department.
At the Brandywine engine house i
was announced that the company ex
pected two new horses today from OK
ford for use to the engine. The horse;
will match the present beautiful gray
which has been worked to the engin,
for some time
At the Fame house it was said tha
the company expected its new auto
mobile combination wagon apparatul
this week, and what makes the mem
bers more proud of their work in pro
curing such an apparatus, is the fac
that it will be the product of TIL
United States Fire Apparatus Company
q Wilmington concern. The old com
bination wagon of the company wa
turned over to the local engine build
ers, who in turn disposed of it to tn
Good VIII Fire Company of New Cas-
tie. The Fame company. in addition