Evening journal., 1916-08-15
OLD BELL SOUNDS
AGAIN IN NEW TOWER
Mayor Price Takes Part In
Formal Exercises at
Phoenix House
FIRE COMPANIES
ARE INSPECTED

In connection with the inspection
OF the fire companies on the East Side
of the city last night by members Of
the IRE committee OF City Council and
their invited guests, Mayor James F.
Price. members Of Council and others.
formal presentation OF the rocast old
City Hall bell was made 10 the Phoe-
nix Fire Company The exercises
we're brief, and those who took part
were Mayor Price, State Archivist
Walter G. Tatnall and George B.
Ward, president Of the Phoenix Fire
Company
AS the automobile bearing Chief
Engineer Patrick Golden. OF the fire
department. and other automobiles
with the Mayor and Councilmen
aboard approached the Phoenix FIRE
house tho strokes OF the year 1915
were struck OF on the old bell Fol
lowing this presentation address
was delivered by Mr.. Tatnall. through
whose efforts largely the old City Hall
81
nix house tower
In presenting the bell Mr.. Tatnall
dwcli al some length on the events
which have led up 10 the change In
bells The old Tatnsll bell was pre-
scented 10 the city IN 1898, but did not
actually arrive here until 1900, as Ia
recorded In an inscription about the
heil Just removed from the Phoenix
hre house tower This bell was first
placed IN the old City Hall, but was
removed in 1878 TO give place TO the
bell which later became cracked, The
old bell Is now IN keeping OF the
Farmers Bank pending a decision az
10 the disposition Of the old City Hall
The hell which now hangs In the
Phoenix tower was rccast from the
old bell OF 1873. Arrangements we're
made whereby there has been no eX.
pcnse attached TO any OF the moves
made The new bell just placed In
the Phoenix tower weighs about $40
pounds. without the clapper and
other metal Mr.. rainfall presented
the contract OF loan by which the bell
came into possession Of the fire com
pany, 10 President Ward last night.
The new bell now belongs to tho ERE
company
Mayor Price spoke Of having been
associated with the placing Of the old
Tatnall bell in the Phoenix tower.
having been secretary Of the fire
company at that time. and having
placed the seals on the contract.
President Henry C.. Downward
said he believed In sentiment. lie
said Il was a good thing for the men
associated with the company 10 re-,
call the events which had led up 10
the exchange OF bells and he believed
.snl would be better for having the
new recast bell IN their possession
for the service II would do and for
the sentiment It represented He al
luded feelingly 10 the first presidents
chair which now stands near the ros-
trnm Of the assembly hall and which
was first used in 1925,
Mr.. Ward formally accepted the befl
for the fire company.
The bell was hung last week and
was put in commission at once. The
FIRST regular fire number struck on
Il was No. i62 at 7O5 p. m. yesterday
for fire at No. 500 Church street.
The inspection of the fire company
irciuded an exhibition run OF the ap.
paratus. In preparation for this all
lights in the fire house were turned
out and the men retired to their
beds. When tho alarm was sounded
u took the wagon just 20 seconds to
get INTO the street on its way to the
supposed fire, while the big hook and
ladder truck was under way In SO sec.
onds The premises we're inspected
by members Of the fire committee
headed by Chairman Arthur Johnson.
The guests we're then invited into the
banquet hall and entertained for
while after which an inspection ~
Liberty, Reliance, Washington, Della
ware and independence Companies
WAS made.
The results OF the inspection we're
very satisfactory and the men were
complimentej upon their efficiency.
Tonight the same group will inspect
the fire companies OIL the west side
of The city.