Evening journal., 1917-03-17
HOUSE PUTS D. K.
ON PAID FIREMEN
FOR WILMINGTON

Ellison. Green. Gruwell. ID. c. Hail.
Hutchinson, Jones. Kersey, Killen,
Lewis. Loose. Marvel. McNabb. Mes
sick. Prettyman. Swain. Tarburton,
Tindall Welch. Speaker Hall-2I.
Nays-Cross, Downward, Gregg,
Pcet. Pritchett, Rash, Webster
Absent -Buckinham.
Representative Connolly, father of
the bill in discussing its provisions
and urging its passage. said it was a
piece OF constructive legislation on a
par with the tax and highway bills
recently passed by the General AS
Bemhly. He said the bill was to
create a paid Fire Department for
Wilmington 10 take the place or the
present vOluneer department organ
lied l42 years ago.
Mr.. Connolly told something OF tho
history Of the Volunteer Fire Depart
ment OF Wilmington, and when each
Of the twelve companies were started.
He also went into the history OF the
"combine" and anti-combine," and eX-
planned how the eight companies IN
the combine control the election Of
all officers of the chief engineer and
the assistant chiefs.
He said the combine" Is IN alb
solute control Of its own doings and
that 1t can do anything II wants 10
without City Council being able TO
rebuke e. The only thing. he said,
that Council can do is pay over the
money TO the companies
Mr.. Connolly said SIX of the COM
panles get $500 annually from the
Levy Court for responding TO calls
in the country.
There are no trained men and no
life saving crew." said Mr.. Connolly.
He pointed out that the department
as. now organized cannot have any OF
those. things because the members
are working men and consequently
even though they we're trained. they
might be at work when needed most.
Mr. Connolly said he did not desire
20 say anything detrimental to the
Wilmington Volunteer Firemen but
felt that the city has outgrown the
system and he asked for a unanimous
vote on the bill.
Cross Opposes Measure.
Representative Cross, a member OF
the Reliance Company, said he had
been q member OF the company for
80 years and was a runner for i've
years previous TO that. He contend
ed that Wilmington has an efficient
department at this time. lie said the
city was not ready, from the financial
standpoint. to have a paid department.
Mr.. Rash said he thought the bill
was a fairly good one but one he
could not support at this time because
the city is not in a position to stand
the expense.
Representative Downward, presf
dent OF City Council OF Wilmington
also opposed the bill from the stand
point of expense.
He claimed that the present depart
ment is very efficient. He also claim
ed that this bill Is an attack on home
rule and appealed for Wilmington e
= be allowed TO rule Itself.
Mr.. Cross spoke a second time
against the bill and said only one Of
twelve companies in Wilmington, has
ever gone on record for a paid fire de
partment. This company, he said. Is
The Delaware and he also said that
company was for a paid department
because of its policy ito rule or ruin.
Mr.. Cross also said some of those who
came TO Dover advocating the bill had
told 'lies" about the present depart
ment. He remarked that the iiremen
we're doing the best they could unit
the present system.
In reply. Mr.. Connolly said that he
realized the best possible was being
done under the present system, but the
svstem was not the proper
one, rs the city has outgrowr
81. Mr.. Connolly also said tho
city could take over the property OF Tho
present companies. pay interest ON th'
bonds issued for that purpose. employ
so mon at the same salary as the police
get and pay a chief engineer at S2VW
year. all for Ss7 500 year. "
claimed the volunteer department IS nov
costing $4,000 annually.
Mr.. Downward during his remarks
commended the work Of tho ambulanc
service Of the Phoenix Fire Company.
In answer TO this Mr.. Connolly toll
Of a number of times when he elaine
the Phoenix ambulance had refused Z
answer calls in tho country 20 take sic
persons to hospitals.
The privilege of the floor was granite
George r. Ward, chairman of the Iho'
nix Company, to answer Mr.. Connolly.
Mr.. Ward justified the refusal OF Il
Phoenix Company ambulance TO answ'
country calls by stating they becan
so numerous they could not be answere
without neglecting the city service.
Commission to Take Charge.
The bill creates q commission, COT
eistinc of William J. Lutz, of the Fam
Company; Michael F. Cannon. of th
Liberty and James IogIe. of tho Bran
DIVINE. for terms Of two, four and 81
years. respectively, the terms 10 be de
cided by lot. Immediately upon tn
bill becoming a law the commission l
30 exercise control over the present FIR
department. replacing City Council u
that behalf
The commissioners are 20 receive
$500 a year. The commission is tC
appoint such officers OF the depart
mont as are considered necessary
shall make all necessary rules anC
regulations for the government Of the
department, and, as soon as possible
shall purchase all the apparatus o
the present department and also III,
buildings and lands now owned h,
the several companies. and such othei
buildings as may be required ais,
having authority TO erect new buYd
ings as may he deemed necessary I
an agreement cannot be reached as Z
terms. a board of three appraiser
shall be named. one by each party an
the third by the two. II this boor
does not satisfy both parties, thei
ay be a second and a third, the judi
ment of which will be final CT
Council is required to finance the pr
ject, borrowing the money on bond
n necessary. Council is required