Evening journal., 1921-01-06
Open HEARING
ON FIRE BILL
Council Announces Special
Monday Night Meeting
For Discussion
ACT is READY
FOR LEGISLATURE

That all sides may be given fullest
opportunity 10 be heard on the paid
nre department plans. City Council
viii hold a special meeting next
Monday night, TO which have been
invited presidents or representatives
II the volunteer companies, and MEM
bers OF the fire prevention commii-
lee OF the Delaware Safety council.
Al This meeting IL Is hoped an
eouitahle arrancement may be MADE
FOR taking over such apparatus ana
equipment OF the volunteer compa-
nies as the city may need. IL lur-
ther is hoped the volunteer compa-
nies will agree to line up soliIly
with Council In obtaining passage Dy
ihe Legislature at Dover Of an act
giving Council power 20 establish
paid service.
Motion by Alexander r. Abrahams.
chairman OF the fire committee, 70
hold the meeting next Monday night
Was unanimously adopted last night
bv Council, sitting In committee OF
the whole. Mr. Abrahams nrst pre-
sented the re-draft Of the bill II Is
intended 10 introduce in the Legsla-
ture, as follows:
Re HI resolved BY the House OF
ntUIINfIlAAINNN vi AAAN NhA'N
ware. In General Assembly met ltWo-
thirds OF each branch concurringl
section t.-That from and aiier
the PASSAGE OF this act, the Council
OF the Mayor and Council OF VIII
minctOn, be and IL is hereby author
lied and empowered, whenever IN It's
diScreation IL Is proper so 10 do, 10
take over for public use, by condem-
nation. compromise, purchase or olh-
eg-xise. such real and personal prop
erty OF the several fire companies OF
the City Of Wilmington and state OF
Delaware now in existence, or mere
after created. and recognized by tne
Council as a part OF ihe fire depart
ment Of me CITY Of Wilmington, as a
competent appraiser or appraisers
may deem worthy OF being used in a
paid department and that such price
or prices as may be determined IN
any OF the above proceedings, OF
agreed upon BY the council In agree
ments 10 purchase the same and "a
operate the same for the public use
as a paid ilre department.
Seciion . For the purpose OF de-
fraying all the cost OF acquiring such
real and personal property OF sae
fire companies that is considered b,
the above mentioned competent au
thority as necessary and NJ for en-
cient service. Council shah have th'
r.oyyer 70 issue bonds, said bonds q
be sinking fund bonds 10 be issue,
In manner and form as the Council
may determine. the same 10 be ap
proved as 70 form BY the Cty Solici
ior OF the City OF Wilmington. TO al
amount not exceeding the cost o
such real and personal property s.
taken over. plus TIE cost or add
lionsl reai and personal property INA
IS deemed BY competent authoritic
necessary 70 buy and establish a
efficient paid FIRE department. All tl
aforesaid bonds shall be signed by th
Mayor. and counterslsned BY q
Treasurer and City Auditor, In th
same manner as other bonds or m
City OF Wilmington. and the rccor
thereof STALL be made and Kept b
the City Auditor and Treasurer X
specti,ely.
section 3. That Immediately upo
taking over OF sucl real and perSon'
property. the contracts then In fore
and in operation between the c0unc
and the. several flre companies sha
cease. determine and become abs'
luiely void and OF no effect
Section a. That Immediately upo
taking over OF such real and person.
properly TIE NNuuNA rliatA ofFNh
such officers, agents, and employ sue
persons. as the Council may dete
mine necessary % properly opera
the said fre department, and 10 4
and pay such officers. agents and en-
ployes, SUCH salaries az the COunc
shall determine.
section b. All acts, or parts
acts. inconsistent herewith are herel
repealed and this act shall be deem'
and tasen as a public act.
Councilman Charles FOrwOOd, chal
man OF the finance committee. urg
that clause be inserted IN q
measure clearly stating that the b
authorize the city 10 create a pa
flre department" at the time OF
passage. Mr.. ForwOod argued th
this clause should be inserted
place OF the clause, whenever In
discretion IL is proper to do