Evening journal., 1920-09-01
) FIRE COS.
QUIT SERVICE
AT MIDNIGHT
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istence at midnight, but their action
was In accordance with a decision
made by the company several months
ago. The companies that have signed
contracts with the city for the COM
ing year are the Reliance, Delaware,
Brandywine. Water Witch, Union and
the independence.
The Reliance Company called Clerk
OF Council Simmons out OF bed af-er
II O'Clock last night and going with
him 10 the City Building, signed the
contract.
Tke action OF the five companies
In quitting last night came after the
question OF an increase in appropri-
alton, made some months ago, had
been considered at several confer
elces and refused. During .he var
ious conferences between Council and
the companies representatives, b. had
been openly stated tha. the lremen
would not quit until ample time had
been given .he city 10 safeguard itself
from fire danger.
Last nights session OF Council. a
special mheting, was arrunged for
last week and an invitation was eX-
tended the presidents Of the various
companies to meet with Council.
Only five companies were officially
represented, although several Of their
members were present during the dis
cussiOn.
When Council convened. President
Lyon said he had been away on a
vacation, and denied the rumor that
he was a "quitter" in leaving the city
while the FIRE department question
was in a muddle. He said Just why
the meeting had been called would be
explained by Councilman ForMood,
chairman OF the finance committee OF
City Council.
Mr.. F6rwood said that six Of the
fire companies had expressed their
confidence In City Council by signing
a contract. while five others had re-
fused 10 sign unless allowed the en-
tire appropriation asked for As re-
suit OF this situation, he added, 1t was
decided to have the president Of the
eleven companies present TO discuss
The matter with Council He Then sug-
ceatod that the companies be called
by number and for the president OF
each 20 state whether they were will
ing 30 sign the conirac'.
The Reliance Company was called
first, and Andrew ]. MeGranary' the
president. said that his company
MHIlIfu Mn iHAAAA NAANHNf N- N+-"
companies were allowed 9,
President Lyon explained that all
companies signing the contract would
receive the same amount, adulhg
ssNNU vour company place its faith In
Council 10 do the right thing and
Sign - Mr.. NfcGranary replied YES.
Counciiman Mulyena then asked the
Reliance Company representative II
his company could operate on tne
81 400 which Council was willing TO
give each company Councilman kane
objected 30 the question, ana ne was
sustained by Pr sid'nl Lyon
The Delaware Company was then
called and George II. Taylor, the pres
| ident replied: ~ am glad To say w
have signed and have always Deem
treated jus. by Council IN ,ns pas,
1 When the Water Witch Company was
called I Morton Dillon, the president
esid his company had signed. George
! n Watson. president OF the Brandy,
wine Company said his company nau
signed and was perfectly satisfied.
George Morton Of the Union Com
many and Joseph Thomas OF the In
| dependence Company said their COM
nanies had signed the contract anu
were willing 10 serve.
Councilman Forw0od said ne de-
sired TO express the thanks OF the
Council 10 these fire companies for
their actions and added, "the cllzenns
owe these nremen a debt Of grail
tude for their loyalty and puble
| spirtedness.'
! President Lyon said. 81 have always
held the fire department m the hlgh,
est esteem but this is the crucial
test and | am compelled TO adm maj
from now on I am in favor Of a paid
department and I want TO go on rec
ord as favOring such
Councilman Mulvena said the thanks
OF Council was due go all The ilremef
who had given their time and money
for $40 years in protecting the CITY
and its Inhabitants. And after al
these years" he said. "the COunci
Is 10 allow these companies to g
out OF business for the sake OF $1,000.
Your attitude is obstinate and makes
us look like a crowd Of big school
boys" he continued.
Councilman Kane expressed The
opinion that the seeding companies
"would sign before midnight an'
added ~ resent the statement tina
we're schoolboys but | am certainl,
opposed to anyone taking Council by
the throat and trying to compel u.
TO follow their wishes"
Councilman MulVena then threw {
bOmbshell into the proceedings b,
Offering a motion that Council ALLOW
the companies an increase that woulC
bring their allotment up to $500"
IL absolutely refuse 10 entertain
that motion" President Lyon stated
Councilman Mulvena reminded thl
president that he had offered the SAM
motion at a special meeting last Fri
day night. 1T was entertained theI
and I only withdrew It when I wa
, assured that it could be presented To-
, consideration tonight" he added
! President Lyon stated that he IVA
! unaware Of any action taken las
week but I will not entertain IN
motion now " The pres dent ex
, planned that the motion was not H
, order. He declared ne doubted
b. such a motion could be legally en-
I tertained
4 The Councilmen then recessed 10
short time, but no further discus
5 sion took place
4 Following the adjournment 4
Z Council 10 was lntimated that m
appropriation usually allowed IN
e. Friendship Company and the fly
z companies that quit might be appor
. toned among the loyal fire compar
- les. In addition, 10 was explalne
Y that the Council could borrow $500
2 for an emergency and this sum coul