Milford chronicle., 1917-12-21
NOT MADE FOR A PLAYTHING.

in Delaware, and they deserve all the !
credit which the people can bestOw
upon them for their persistent effort
to get the best fire equipment in all
of Delaware for the town Of Milford
We feel proud 10 point to their equip
ment and the class of men who COM
pose the membership of this com
! pany.
They are patriotic, and remember
/ to pay honor to those who have evinc-
ed their patriotism, by serving our
country in the army. This is to be
encouraged and approved but, there
comes a time for consideration of re-
sponsibility for thousands of dollars
worth of property, and the careful re-
gard Of public safety .ti.,..,
| The people responded splendidly to
| the efforts of the firemen, and the
auto-engine and truck is the result
of~the firemen's efforts and the pat
ronage of the people. The people
gave the money for the purpose of
providing modern fire-fghting equip
ment for the firemen, and it has been
maintained in excellent preparedness
at all times. .,t4...
But there are things which must
be stopped before they grow into a
] MOIht NUISANCE 4At RldlllNb VI
blowing alarms of fire for the purpose
Of assembling the firemen for social
purposes, is one of these practices
which must be stopped. They have
large bell on the firehOuse to use
for this purpose, so there is no rea-
son for blowing horns, which cause
anxiety to those who own property
and greatly disturb those who do not
! h.. 10 hmu
stocks of goods. which are only part
~ insured.
Last Saturday morning when the
streets were covered with a glaze of
snow and ice, several members of
the Fire Company caused the fire
alarm to be blown at an early hour,
and then took the fire engine out to
bid Lieutenant Paris Carlisle, 3rd, a
member Of the Fire Company, good
bye, as he started for Petersburg, Va,
Before leaving the fire station, the
driver was advised that it was dan
gerous to go without the chains on
the heavy engine, bur that was disre-
garded, and the result was disas-
trous.
In returning from the depot the
heavy engine started to turn into the
which was far in excess of safety on
an icy morning. and it skidded until
the entire truck turned completely
around, and then slipped about thirty
feet straight ahead until it brought
up against the fire plug and the iron
/ inlet at the corner Of Front and Wal
nut streets-bOth of these were
smashed, and the truck damaged
more or less. The town of Milford
will have TO expend fully SIS TO re-
place the iron cover for the sewer in
/ let, and the new fire plug, which will
have to be dug out and the paving re-
! placed The damage to the fire en-
gine will be in addition to this, and
! II was all caused by careless miscal-
culatiOn of the speed. and failure to
put on chains, which were ready for
use at the fire station.
There is a deep feeling, that the
! fire apparatus in the hands of some
] of the firemen, is a dangerous play
/ thing, which they seem to have failed
to realize. II is all we'll to take the
/ truck out for periodical runs and over
roads where there is no danger to the
public. II must be done to keep the
apparatus in working order several
/ times each month or year.
] II was all right to welcome home
patriotic member Of the company,
! but it was carrying the enthusiasm
| to the verge of fOolishness, or at least
ridicule. to have blown a fire alarm
/ to startle the citizens, and take the
/ heavy fire truck out on streets which
we're dangerous for travel of any
kind.
The Incorporated Fire Company
owns the automobile fire engine and
holds the title to it; but, the people
of Milford and surrounding country
paid for it with their money. and the
sooner the facts are recognized by
all those interested. the happier they
win be in the future.
We want to state right here, that
the President of the Fire Company,
Mr.. Charles f. Varney. opposed the
taking out of the engine last Satur-
day but he was oYerruled by those
responsible for this act, and result
ant danger to life and property which
resulted therefrom.
The Fire Engine is a necessity and
not a plaything. The firemen are de-
serving of all the praise for their SER
vices in fighting to protect property
from loss by fire; but, they are to be
called to account just the same when
the zone of danger is brought to the
individual as the result of injudicious
handling of the fire apparatus. Those
on the machine on Saturday were for
tunate that it did not turn over and
either kill or MAIN some of them
The taxpayers will have to stand the
loss by damage to public property,
while the Fire Company will have to
meet the damage from the money
given it for maintenance.
This should be the last episode of
this character, and we believe it will
be, for the young men are susceptible