Norwich bulletin., 1919-03-01
Especial to The Bulletin.)

Especial to The Bulletin.)
 New London. Feb. 2S.-There have been series of fires of magnitude in the city of New London of late and the only reason why they did not develop into big coniagrations IS due to the efficiency of the volunteer fire depart ment equipped with modern fire-fight- ing apparatus. In the case of the Jew ish Synagogue fire, the Lawrence hall and the Avery stable fires, each i'll thickly settled sections with abund- ance of infiammable material the fires were confined to the buildings in which they originated.
 There has been public cry raised over the lack of sufficient hose, which is justified to a degree. that is so far as goes reserve hose, yet the time has not come when there was Iiot usaL- ble hose adequate for all requirements. There ought to be enough spare hose on hand to meet any emergency and that ought to be furnished forthwith, and with it coats and boots and mltts. too, for the active working flremen, many of whom now furnish themselves with the requisites.
 The present fire department commit tee of the court of common council. as well as all committees that have pre-
 
 there is not and never has been second supply of hose for the several fire companies. and that the amount on hand Is not properly distributed, or capitalized among the companies. There must be a new r1an, of the proper kind in New London as he is under the impression that he is let | ting in new light on fire department al matters. The startling and stale announcement is made that the Nameaug company has no motor ap- paratus and is dependent upon horses l to draw the apparatus to the fire, and l there is hi1t of favoritiSm in that 1 particular as every other piece of ap- paratus, save the Niagara steamer. is motorized 1t was not ernr thus. as 1 it is well within the recollection of ] some men, that when hCrse-drawn hose wagons supplanted the hand i drawn that the Nameaugs were not | the last to be considered. Yet, there was no cry Of favoritiSrn, and some ! other companies waited for their turn l that never came. One of the neglect | ed companies has the distinction of l purchasing at it's own expense the l first motor driven apparatus 70 be put | to practical use in th% United States, 1 and that apparatus did good service 1 for q dozen years. I hat particular ! company was favored with a horse l drawn apparatus although four other 1 companies, including tine Nameaugs, were favored or rather furnished with | what was then considered modern ap- paratus. other companies waited for l that turn that never came. and the medicine was swallowed without a whimper The Nameau%s are now waiting their turn that will probably
 never come; but ii if never came the
 department would not be seriously i'm
 paired under the present conditions.
 New London is the smallest city in 1 area in the state and size consid- 1 cred, it has the largest and perhaps i the best fire department. The de ! partrnent is made up of eicht active | ire companies. all but the Nameaugs 1 motorized, and able to reach any fire within the cIty limits in remarkably quick time; fully as quicki;- as paid 1 department as drivers and men arc or ! duay O. rather within the call of duty
 at all hours. day or nighr vet. there
 arc three more companies in the de ! partmcnT at the present time thar II there were in the old days when the
 ringing of church bells was the fire
 alarm and the apparatus was hauled 1! by the men who ran "Nid der mer'
 chone"
 True. snna of the companies have had Topsey origin. They organized .i equipped themselves anJ theu sad dled themselves on the city and be came reCo~n:zed as a part of the de
 partment. Perhaps it is well that sucl | action was taken, as it tended to mak' more progressive the ifrc department l Nevertheless the NaneaUgs are surely !. worthy of recognition. and there is nc real reason why the present admins tration should not pave lhe way for z modern apparatus for that deservin: company. The tax payers would bt glad of the opportunity 10 dc the rest Ii is not believed that the G1lciGs ant honorable Nameaugs are seeking pub Iic sympathy. but just q little bit O what they may consider justice. anC perhaps, fair play The ferry commission act favorabl. reported from cOmmitt and now ol the calendar of the house of repre- sentatives ready for action. kut whicl IS being held up at the request 0 Mayor Morgan for arrerGneut. ant retains it's place on the calendar star red for acton. This fact require action or daily motion for retention Of place on calendar, in order to keeI it from the foot. and action farthe delayed. Just what the propose 4 amendment is none of the member s seem to know. It is hintcd. however that it is to be altered that the ferr commissioners will be given power il a connection with the building of munic d !