Evening journal., 1920-07-22

portance. TO Wilmington and It's
reputation throughout the country
he said, and he then offered % 20
into details as TO cost OF such a de-
partmen,.
Predicts Holocaust in Time.
The protection today. compared
with The growth OF the city. height
OF buildings and scncfal progress in
the city is inadequate. Mr.. HOwland
continued. I'll Is only question Of
time when you are going 90 get
holocaust which Will sweep the city"
In answer 10 Councilman Murray,
Mr. lioWi1nd said nine paid engine
aud hese companies and three ladder
c1mplnles In 40 stations would be
needed TO properly project The city
lie believed there should be nre com.
panies in residential districts.
While the Ndtlund. BO9r' Of In
dcrNriters cuCid not ilX r6tes for in
surJncc, ha saiu also, yet li did have
stanCardized railing or cl3ssiiica-
ton OF cities which II sent out 10
the Insurance cl.nGan cs.
Councilman FOrwOOd called atlcn-
tion 10 the fact that Council went on
record at The last regular legislation
In favor OF a paid department, but
that the bill for such a department
Was KILLED" he then asked how
fire losses here compared with other
cities Mr.. Rowland replied the Ma
tional Board had been endeayorng 20
obtain line on fire losses In Whining
/ ton, but without success. 10 was
customary 90 obtain such losses from
fire departments. As the losses had
| not been kept in Wilmington. he could
not give them.
Lyon Questions Danger.
President Lyon wanted to know on
what Mr. Rowland based his belief
| That the city was In danger he an
swered that he knew from his inves-
iigalion OF local conditions. such as
| electrical wiring. and also because
the records In other citios had shown
that volunteer departments did not
| measure up 10 the same standard OF
efficiency as paid.
Mr.. Rowland said II was impossible
| 90 get from volunteers proper train
ing In use OF fire towers, or proper
inspection OF buildings, Easements
and alleys.
Mr.. Lyon wanted to know the ef-
feet, II any, on insurance rates from
the dropping out OF service by the
| Friendship company. Mr. Rowland re-
piled that his board had no iurisdic-
tion over such rates but the middle
board" in Philadelphia probably
could and would supply such infor-
nation.
Mr. Rowland reviewed the increases
In appropriations granted the COM
lpanies In past years. lie said he could
not say how much more would be
needed now But II $4,000 was iustl-
fed five years ago, 80 per cent addi-
liOnal would not be excessive today
lie again emphasized the need OF
maintaining the present efficiency OF
the volunteers until a paid depart
ment could be had.
Councils "Iiands Tied"
Councilman Faulkner opposed golnl
lon record again In favor OF a paid de-
apartment because Council already had
done so. Mr.. Rowland cOntendeC
such a vote now would be OF service
lie added he believed there was no op.
position among the firemen. and "a,
sentiment OF the city was very large.
ly in favor Of a paid department
Certainly, you would be hclpinl
this movement" he urged. III you
now go on record Then follow thai
lup with every possible way Of put
ting your words into effect"
Councilman Mearns said he didn'
doubt Councils desire for a paid de-
partment. but "ii IS impossible FOL
Council 10 do anything until the Leg
lslature should act" 10 was entirel!
useless for Council 10 talk about
lpaid department until it could act
"Our hands" he said. are completed!
. tied"
Mr. Rowland replied that although
he was not an attorney. he wouh
refer Council TO the clause I'm the cit,
] charter giving authority 10 the Mayo
81 and Council to issue bands for pub
lie works and public Improvements.
Certainly, a paid department wOul
be a public improvement" he con
tended.
Denies Council Opposed Change.
Mr.. Lyon here denied that Council