Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-23

started this agitation, and whose fore man made allegations that were not based on fact at a meeting of the fire committed, probably realizing in part the error of it's way now comes into public print and declares that inas- much as the company owns flve- sixths of the apparatus that it should be entitled to select it's drivers from it's membership and that the city pay the bill. The foreman of this newest addition to the fire department has become intensely interested in fire de- partment matters and has evidently given the matter much study. He IS now so well-informed that he is in position to instruct the men who have grown gray in the service just how the department should be managed and that the company he represents should be taken as the model
 1t would be we'll for the company to give the fire committee to understand that the apparatus is not to be con sidered as company property so long as the company is a part of the regu- lar department, before taking any further steps towards the reformation of the conduct of the department that has stood the test for the past half century. The company, through it's energetic foreman. is entitled to con sideration, but before coming to any definite action on changes as proposed by this new foreman, it would be but fair to give the officers of the com- pany that seems to be the point of att tack an opportunity to show that the change suggested would be detri- mental to the general efficiency ofethe department. There are some other officers in the fire department whose experience ought to be worthy of con-
 sideration-
 Whether the wreckine of the Pope
 Hartford auto chemical apparatus driver. or faulty construction, has not
 been definitely determined. although the fire committee Is satisfied that it was not due to a flaw in the broken axle, but are not fully satisfied that the stock was properly tempered. the rear wheel dropped before the car struck the tree and that the axle therefore was broken by shock. It is conceded by all that the driver violat- ed the orders of the chief. assistant chief, foreman and chairman of the fire committed, in running the ap- paratus out of the house, when not called out for fire duty. This shows a state of inefficiency and lack of dis cipline that does not exist in any oth- CT company in the city. for as a rule the order of the foreman is law.
 
 That particular piece of apparatus was out for almost daily spins and it was out on one of those regular spins when the machine was wrecked. Just why couple of trucks came from the manufactory at night and left be- has not been fully explained. It was taken away without the knowledge or consent of the fire committed, al- though the local representative of the Hartford concern says that the removal for repairs was sanctioned by Mayor Mahan. It is understood that the expense of repairs will total about
 half the cost of the original machine
 which was new to the New London fire department six months ago. Dur ing that period the machine was sure
 ly abused and was never intended for continuous speed tests
 There were numerous complaints O, the running of that fire machine or the public ways on joy rides and the result has shown Justification of the complaints. Like complaints are be- ing received from the joy-riding prac- tice of the Northwest apparatus which Is being run out on the highways just as much as was the one wrecked re- gently. The fire committee has ord cred discontinuance and perhaps the order will be observed and perhaps not, for be it known that declaration has been publicly made that the cfty owns only one-sixth of the machine and therefore can order it kept 1T readiness fer fire duty only one day in six. And this is the company tina claims credit for the agitation aimed against the Niagaras- By the way 1 this latter company owns a squad wagon, made of a converted automo, | bile. just as is the Northwest motol wagon, but that squad wagon is un, | der the direction of the chief engin. eer just as is the powerful triple ac- i tien machine owned by the city. S, l far as the company is concerned ther, 1 is no distinction of ownership.
 i That squad wagon is not used fo | joy riding and such thing woul, not be considered and more thai ' would the running out of the fire ap 1 paratus for other than fire purposes | When this agitation Is sifted to tn bottom the members of the court O common council will find the colore, i gentleman in the wood pile and pul | him from his hiding place.
 ToItand nonnf~,