Evening journal., 1921-01-11

To PAID FIRE
DEPT. VOICED
leontInued dom nage onel

continued from page one)
expected to tell Council finally how
they stand on the question.
Last nights session was spirited at
times. and the flremen openly asked
Mayor Taylor, who presided. II he
did not think the flremen had been
sighted by Council In not having
been conferred with when the pro-
posed paid department measure was
being prepared.
Representatives Of 1--WE OF the eleven
fire companies went on record as
fayOrlng the volunteer department,
and several Of them suggested that
Council place the issue up TO the
people by a referendum vote at the
coming city election.
Three Of the fire companies were
reported as fayOrlng a paid depart
ment, while representatives OF three
others announced their companies
had taken no action. TWO Of these
representatives said they thought the
issue should be referred TO the peO-
pie as a whole.
When Mayor Taylor called the
meeting TO order he had Alexander r.
Abrahams, chairman OF the fire COM
mittee OF Council, read the proposed
draft OF The paid fire department
measure. An invitation was extended
TO the nremen and Others present to
express their views on the subject.
The Reliance Fire Company was
called, and Andrew J Cross, president
OF that organization, was, the irst
speaker. Mr.. Cr ss said: Il am not
clothed with authority by my com
10 Unaul This E1Ihlnnt NI we
have not received a copy OF this Dill
and would like TO have the secretary
Of Council send copy to my organi-
zatiOn"
Councilman Abrahams explained
that all Of the newspapers had printed
copies OF the bill.
Mr. Cross retoried.: "The Reliance
Fire Company does not accept state
menls printed in newspapers
George II. Taylor, OF the Delaware
Fire Company, said his company had
gone on record long ago as favorlng
a paid fire department, and he sug-
gested that Council proceed at once
TO create a paid department.
When an invitation was extended
the Phoenix Fire Company, George B.
Ward, the president, was attending a
meeting Of that organization but ne
entered the meeting later ana explain.
ed that while his company had not
taken any action he favored a refer
endum vote on the question.
J. Morton Dillon. representing Water
Witch Fire Company. No. 3, said; i
think Il would be a good idea TO put
this matter up TO the people at the
next election In June. or course, a
new uniform looks nice and IL would
be nice TO see men walk down the
aisle with a regular step, but will the
people stand for the Toe. 10 81 raise
in taxes 10 accomplish discipline or
this kind2 This raise in taxes means
that the landlords who own property
value dat $500 will raise the rent or
the 1enant 3io 50 per month. We can
nit possibly get a better department
than we have now and the upkeep OF
one company as a paid company, VIII
cost more than all OF the companies
at the present time. No one has ae
yet offered any practical suggestions.
What do we know OF the advantages
of a paid nre department? II the
people want a paid fire department we
should have a.. Let the citizeas OF our
city decide the matter in a popular
/ election"
The Fame Fire Company announced
that n favored a paid department
Martin V. Farrell. OF The Washington
[ Company. said his company favored
/ the volunteer system.
The same report was made for the
| WeccacOe Company, and Former Fire
CHIEF Cannon OF the Liberty Company
said that company had taken no ac-
ton George B. Watson, OF the Bran
dywlne Company, said the Brandy
wine members had taken but one vote
. .... A a4ttNa taaN nnH Nhnr NuNnWnA Iln
volunteer system.
Alexis Haggerty, OF the Union Com
pany. said his company favored the
present system. J. n. Patterson, OF
| the Independence Company, said his
fellow workers favored the volunteer
syesiem until Council should decide
10 take it over. and they asked fair
treatment from Council for their ser
vices in the past.
A. u. Warner, Jr, president OF the
Chamber Of Commerce, spoke OF the
need OF a paid department From a
physical and material point Of view
he considered the question OF a paid
fre department more vital than the
proposed new city charter.
Mr.. Warner said 10 was understood
that a paid department would mean
a larger tax rate, but he added vii.
/ mington Is facing the almost certainty
Of having Its Insurance rates RAISED
between 100000 and 100000 annually
Heretofore we have felt zealOu,
and enthusiastic over our yoluntee
fire department which Offset its lacl
Of training said Mr. Warner, but /
is important TO every line OF mdustr,
10 secure the most efficiency, and sucl
Is acquired through training. Durlnl
the past few months there has beef
less punch shown by the nremen II
their work, indicating a lack Of inter
est, and only recently we witnessed
this lack Of interest at a serious llr
which caused much damage, an
which was blamed on the winds.
in the interest OF WimlnctOn
hope we can have an efficient pai
FIRE department Even IL il cost
more IL will be a protection Of live
and property
Mr.. Warner was followed by Joh
r. Walker, OF the Eastern Malleahl
Iron Company, who represented th
Manufacturers Association. Mr.. Wal
ker said he favored a paid depart
ment. He asked Fire Chief Lutz wha
amount OF water could be secured {
combat a blaze at his plant II On
Diamond State Steel Company build
ings in South Wilminton were afr
and the department was in servic
at the latter plant Chief Luiz sal
little. n any, water could be obtain
! ed at the Malleable plant under thos
conditions. Mr.. Walker said Will
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