Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-09
CLIMAX LOOKED FOR
IN FIRE DEPARTMENT
MATTER THIS WEEK
Friendship Company Denies Re
port That Runner" Will Con-
tinue the Service.
CONTRACTS IN BALANCE

While there has been some talk of few
members and runner connected with
the Friendship Fire Co. remaining IN the
fire fighting business after the company
goes out of existence. August 81, Harry
Nj. Wiley, member Of the company
today said emphaticallv that this will
not happen. "'rhe Friendship Co.. MIR.
Wiley said, "will quit business on August
81, and its property and apparatus will he
sold All talk of n few members and some
runners taking over the apparatus and
operating il is silly, nothing OF the kind
being contemplated. The company Is now
negotiating for the sale of its real estate.
This property is located on Tatnall street
above Delaware avenue, in one OF the
beat sections of the city. We have three
offers for it, but have not accepted any
of them We intend, however, to sell
to the highest bidder, The proceeds OF
these sales will be divided prorata among
the members after the company quits
business, August 81
'In all probability the apparatus Will
go out of the city. Tho town Of llavre dc
Grace, Md. has been negotiating Tor y,
but so far has not met our terms. We do
not, however, anticipate any dii''cnity
in selling the equipment. ).
we made mn offer tn Council 70 sell
our apparatus To the city. but were told
10 present our offer in writing. We have
not done this and do not EXPECT to do so.
We know Of no purchaser IN the CITY.
therefore 1t is likely the machines Will go
out Of town
This merely emphasizes what every
body must by his time realize, that VII
minrtons fire fighting equipment Is on
a. 4 sl-A, a hn 81 a
growth and constantly increasing tire
hazards.
The action Of the Fame Go few dayE
ago. in declaring for paid department.
and the attitude Of number of other com
panies shows how the wind Is blowing
| As the contracts with the fire companies
| if new contracts are 70 be made, must he
| executed this month, the city authorities
| have very little time. if they expect e
| reach definite understanding with the
| companies before the new contract period
| hegins
| OUTLOOK NOT ROSY.
Several of the companies have informed
! Council that they viii sign whatever con
| tract is nut up to them. but Some hav,
made no such declaration. while Il i
/ doubtful whether some will sign unless
| they get concessions which Council So Ia
| has been unwilling 10 give. Whether th'
| Fame Co. will execute contract undei
| present conditions will he determined a.
a meeting 20 be held next Friday night
Prior 10 Friday night, however. Il II
understood there will he meeting Q
representative Of all the companies viii
| the view of reaching some understanding
! in the matter of a nroposit,nn to Counci
for fire service during the ensuing year
| In view Of the fact that the companol
are divided on the Subject. il looks now %
| il they would he unable 10 reach a unani
nous agreement. and they may go bctor'
| Council with divided front
Council will meet IN committee OF tn
whole on Wednesday night 10 considc
| general city business. and will have I
/ regular meeting on Thursday night, hu
! whether the FIRE matter will come up a
! either of these meetings Is not known.