Evening journal., 1914-04-10
rIRE ApPARATrs ANp sPEEp.


T ROM Wilmington man, who not only is an auto
mobilist but also a warm admirer of the volunteer
iremen in this city, have received the following
letter.
To the Editor OF THE EVENING JOURNAL:
sir-l have read with interest your recent editorials
the subject OF limiting the speed Of motor-driven
fire apparatus both in practice runs and in covering
calls to fires and heartily agree with you in the posi-
ton you have taken.
No one IN wilmington appreciates 10 q higher degree
than does the writer the efficiency Of Fire Depart
ment and the spirit that prompts the various companies
to reach the scene Of activity In the least possible time
after the sounding of the alarm. But would it not be
better TO reach fire few moments later than not get
there at all, or get there only alter mperhlhs tle
lives and property Of citizens who are using the
streets for the purposes for which they were intended
viz, thoroughfarcs2
Quite recently the writer. who has driven automo-
biles years has fair idea of the speed of one
in motion, was walking down Delaware avenue with
friend who drives almost every day OF his life
when of the motordriyen vehicles OF the Fire De-
partment came down the street bell ringing swaying
from side 20 side at speed we both conceded to be
not less than As miles per hour. Two horse-drawn We
holes going in opposite directions reached the curb on
their respective sides barely in time to escape not
only collision but humiliation.
This happened opposite the High School, and il is
safe to say they started TO pull aside when the Fire
Departments motor was above Van buren street rms
is mentioned to give you idea of its speed Can there
be any for this other than the disregard on the
part OF the Fire Departments drivers OF the menace
such excessive speed is to life and property? The writer
feels that there Is not member of the department
who would willingly ieopardlze the lives and property
of our citizens and believes that editorials such
have written in THE EVENING JOURNAL will 90 far
In awakening realization Of the seriousness of this
apparent even II unintentonal, speed mania.
Very truly yours,
AUTOMOBILIsT.
Wilmington April s. 1914
That Is friendly and sensible criticism Of enter
prising enthusiastic and progressive volunteer fremen
that ahould be taken TO heart by every member Of the
IRE Department and also " these city officials who
lave the power regulate The speed of vehicle trait
nc in our thoroughfares
The principle OF safety first is being recognized ana
applied in these days in all parts of the United States
For the sake of volunteers and their wives and
children, also for the sake Of those who our
Streets that principle also should be applied to the
Grafton Of the motor-propeed fire apparatus now in
use In city. It is being done elsewhere and it
should be done here. reasonable maximum OF speed
should be established and enforced. There is prop
erty in our city that is worth human life and there
moral other obligation which justlnes re-ap-
paratus speed which eopardzes the lives of those who
are on the machine in the street We think the
Mayor the Board Directors Of the Street and Sewer
Department and the leading men In the Fire Depart
ment should get together and upon what should
be a reasonable maximum, not only for practice runs
but also for responses to fire alarms.