Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-18
FIRE DEPARTMENT
EXECUTIVE BOARD
OPPOSES A CHANGE
Favors Present Volunteer System
Until City Council Acts
Otherwise.
TO SUGGEST REFERENDUM

While formally placing itself on record.
AZ a regular meeting last night, as favor
ing the present volunteer fire fighting
system here, the executive board OF
the Wilmington Fire Department at
the same time expressed its Willingness
TO cooperate with CITY Council at such
time when the latter may deem II aS-
visable to change To a paid department.
The meeting, which was held at the
Fame Co.'S house, was attended by fep-
resentatives of eight OF the II compa-
nies, the Friendship, Reliance, Delaware
and Wcccacoc not beng represented.
The Wcccacoe has representative on
the executive board, while tho other
three non-participants have not.
The action of the board was embodied
in the adoption Of the following report,
presented by legislative committee
appointed at the November meeting,
the members of this committee being
The men whose names arc appended TO
the report. the text Of which follows
Officers and members Executive Board,
Wilmington Fire Department.
Gentlemen:
Following thorough consideration
of the subject. we herewith submit for
your approval the following resolution,
and earnestly recommend It's adoption:
Resolved: The Executive Board OF
she Wilmington Fire Department here
assembled desire TO and do hereby place
ourselves on record as favorlng the
continuance of the present volunteer
fire department IN and for tins city,
pledging ourselves 70 labor for Its best
interest. 10 maintain lis efficiency, and
sustain lis record. until such time as the
people of this city through their du
elected representatives. the honorable,
the City Council, shall IN then iudg-
nrent deem il advisable or necessary
to otherwise provide.
Respectfully submitted, 4 r. hane
Water Witch: W J. Luz, Famc; Geo.
/ ". Sasse, Washington; Joseph Thomas
Jr.. Independence; NJ I Cannon, Lab
! erty; Legislative Committee.
The chief duty of the above committee,
which Is permanent. Is TO look alter
legislative matters at Dover Of interest
TO the fremen of Wilmington
Although definite action IN that be
half yvas not taken<at last nights : meet
ing. the sentiment was IN favor of q
department, and the committee will
confer with City Council on the sub
! ject, suggesting that Council propose
that the matter be SO submitted and
take the necessary steps That MAS done
IN Reading Pa, recently and the people
voted to retain the volunteer slIstem.
The suggestion has been made that the
city acquire the fire apparatus gradu-
ally, so that paid department can be
eventually established without resort
ing to a large primary loan. In Reading
the city owns all the fire apparatus eX-
cept that OF one of the II companies.
Ii has also been suggested that vii
mington adopt the Reading plan for
officers. There the chief is selected for
efficiency and serves during good beha-
vior. Former Chief George r. Miller
served 24 consecutive years, being re-
GENTLY retired at his own request
Al last nights me ting 1t was decided
to ask the Traction Co. to tell motor
men all cars must stop when fire appara-
tus is approaching, also TO ask the com
pany to have the Spruce street hnc
terminus 100 feet south Of Eleventh
street
The Lynch Construction Co an.
nounced that q number Of fire fydrant'
Oh the Emergency Fleet housing ground:
are in service, being painted white anc
/ marked with gree tights night.