Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-10

gency that might arise through mis-
hap to the Newark engine.
1t was an inspiring sight to see the
thirty-tive trained Newarkers under
the spirited leadership Of the veteran
McDermitt at work. Newark had the
pumping apparatus, without the aid
of which nothing could have stayed
the progress of the fire the gravity
water supply being inefficient Fire
men from other places realized this
and accorded the Newarkers the
right-of-way. West Orange has but
a single pumping engine and Mont
clair has but one. These have not
been in service for any considerable
length of time The firemen from Or
ange. South Orange, East Orange,
Montclair, Bloomfield and other places
co-operated with the Newark men on
the lines and ladders and worked
with marked discipline.
Chief Sheehan went to Chief Nc
Dermit and requested him to issue
orders TO all, himself included.
There was the best of harmony and
good feeling among the combined
forces, and Chief McDermit is loud
in their praise. They're good wood"
said he.
Eight buildings were involved in
the flames when the Newark squad
ron arrived.
Saving the Laboratory.
Mr.. Edison, through his represen-
tative. sent word to the firemen to
save the laboratory If possible. The
request was communicated to Chief
McDermit. The laboratory in ques-
ton contains the ingredients used
in the process of disc making ana
valuable formulas. Among the con-
tents it was said was 100000 in gold
metal. This is the main Ia aroratory,
and with II out of commission 1t
was stated all the Edison works
would be obliged to shut down. Mr..
Edison's private laboratory is some
distance from the main laboratory.
All told, the Newark firemen worked
continuously for about fourteen
hours, the first returning apparatus,
Engines Nos. 21 and "a, reaching this
city at 7.25 o'clock this morning, and
at $50 Engine Co. % arrived home.
With Chief McDermitt during the
night were Captains Joseph MoCree
and Lieutenant William Carey, Cap
tains Stim's and Hebring and Lieu
tenant Henze.
1t was a pretty we'll tired out set Of
men that returned to this city today,
but a cheerful lot at that.
During the night sandwiches ana
coffee were furnished the firemen by
the West Orange authorities.
Mr.. Edison Returns Thanks.
Mr. Edison, on learning that the
laboratories had been saved, sent his
personal aide, Thomas Hutchinson
to Chief McDermitt to thank him and
his men for the valuable services rem
dered and asked that thanks be also
extended to Chief Moore of the New
ark department and the fire commits
sioners for so promptly responding to
the appeal for assistance.
President Wilson, of the Edison
Company, added his thanks to those
Of Mr.. Edison. The proper appreCia-
ton could not be expressed in words,
Mr. Wilson declared.
Among the buildings saved was one
In which three tons of celluloid
material were stored. This structure
had been reached by the flames be-
fore the arrival OF the Newark fire.
men, McDermitt lost no time In direct
ing a stream Of water on it and soon
had the fire at this point extinguished.
Familiarity with fighting celluloid fires
stood the Newarkers in good stead.
They knew Just how TO go about the
work for quick results.