Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-06
ROTARY CLUB Will
URGE council FOR
PAID Department
Continued from Page Nineteen.

of all concerned. The men also, when
not actually engaged in putting out
fires, may become familiar with the
construction and arrangement OF
buildings, that they may know where
to find the weak spots. particularly
in the congested districts. and to
take advantage OF such knowledge
I'm more effectively attacking the fire.
Then again, some of the flremens
spare time may be employed in in
specting the mercantile and manu-
featuring risks, clothed with author
ity to require the removal of rub
bish. in cellars, in back yards, and
on roofs, aften found, because OF
which many disastrous fires have
started Another important duty
would be to require proper and safe
exits for employees and the public
in crowded stores and factories.
The walls in mercantile districts
on the main streets are very thin,
usually but eight inches thick, sup
porting oftentimes adjoining build
ings. This is a defect which would
be attended by serious results, and
threaten il not spread into a confla-
grafton. if fire is not checked in the
building where the fire originates.
The volunteer department have done
very good work in this respect in the
past, but when put TO a severe test,
a paid department, with modern ap-
paratus and adequate water supply,
have demonstrated their ability to
handle the situation more advan-
tageously.
We have made further inquiry as
to the possibilities OF securing lower
rates, and from a source which we
believe is authOritive. we are led
TO believe that while the present
charge for water and fire department
deficiency is small on its face, in ali
probability that with the recommen-
dations made by the National Board
I'm a large degree still Enacted upon,
along with the continued growth OF
our city. a rerating will shortly be
found necessary. and the rates then
probably will be considerably higher
In this connection we might add
that during the year 1916. the total
fire loss in the city amounted to ap-
proxlmately S55O0OO, while the
amount of premiums on total insur-
ances carried was approximately
100000
Your committee therefore, after care
fully reviewing the various reports
OF the National Board of Underwrit-
ers the reports received from the
cities above mentioned, together with
the local conditions surrounding our
present volunteer system, with which
YOU are all familiar. are of the opin-
ion that the time has arrived when
Wilmington should take the step for
ward and place herself in line with
other progressive cities Of her class,
by establishing a paid department.
We recommend that the Rotary
! Club go on record as being in favor
OF and willing TO support any move
ment which has the following pur-
pose IN view:
The creation Of a full paid fire
department. under the supervision
and control Of a board OF fire COM
missloners.
Said board to be empowered to
purchase the apparatus. equipment,
| buildings. etc. or whatever portion
thereof they may need or deem ad-
visable. now owned by the volun-
teer fire department, at an appraised
valuation
Said board 10 appoint a fire chief
with full police power. and all other
officers and employees OF the depart
ment, and TO determine and fix the
salaries to be paid to each Also to
make all necessary rules and regu-
lations for the proper management
Of the department. All members OF
the department to be appointed for
an indefinite term. with removal only
for incapacity, misconduct. non-res-
/ idence or disobedience OF just rules.
Respectfully submitted.
w. p. DOUGLAS,
HARRISON CRUIKSHANI.
W. c. NESBITT,
! JOSEPH BANCROFT,
LEON WALKER,
Committee
Wilmington. Del. Feb. %. 1917