Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-27
SAFETY DIRECTORS
BUY DELAWARE TRUCK
Accept company's Offer to Sell
Machine for $4,000 In
stead of $4,000.

Directors OF the Department of Pub
lie Safety have agreed TO purchase
the automobile ladder truck OF the
Delaware Fire Co. for $4,000 and to
take II ever. together with the APP
paratus Of the various other volun-
teer fire companies, for use In the new
paid department which they are now
establishing. This decision was reach
ed this morning and was based on an
offer made to the board by the Of
flcials of the Delaware Co. The propo-
sition was made In writing by the
fire company TO the board and the lat
ter set forth their acceptance in a let
ter which was forwarded at once to
the Delaware Co.
At the meeting OF the directors on
Tuesday afternoon, delegation Of
members from the Delaware Co. ap-
pearcd before the board and stated
their offer verbally. They had origin
ally asked $4,000 for their truck. The
directors advised them to put the offer
In writing and forward II TO The com
mission and that they would then
give the suggestion formal consldera-
ton. This written offer reached the
board this morning and after discus
sing the subject the directors agreed
TO accept IL and TO so advise tho Della
ware members.
The directors yesterday received
numerous bids on contracts to sun
ply the uniforms for the firenen In
the new department: beds and bed
ding and other equipment for the
sleeping quarters OF the various fire
houses and other materials necessary
for use In the department. No con-
tracts were awarded because the bids
have 20 be tabulated 10 determine
which is the lowest and best. This
may be accomplished today.
One OF the new Ahrens-Fox com.
blnation pumping engines purchased
by the board and recently delivered
was given thorough test this morn
Ing at the foot Of West street along
the Brandywine. The other machine
probably will be tested this afternoon
or tomorrow. All of the safety dl-
rectors were present and watched the
test with keen interest II was made
by n representative of the Now York
underwriters who was sent here AZ
the request OF the safety department.
AT the conclusion ~ the tests he viii
submit his report 20 the directors and
they viii then decide whether they
want 20 accept the new engines for
service in this city. The engine was
operated by an expert sent here from
the factory where the machine WIS
manufactured. Chief Lutz was in
general charge and several men from
the flremon's training school were
there TO handle the hose and DO other
work.
The new engine IL n maRnlnceut
piece nf machinery II has a capacity
Of 500 gallons Of water a minute but
can make 900 easily The tests TODAY
were Tor pressure and volume and II
Is believed the engine came up 10 all
expectations. IL showed IL was
capable Of throwing a tremendous
volume OF water a great distance one
capable OF bowling over brick wall
with. ease.
Another feature OF the test was the
use OF the new screw couplings on the
fAhtH 'A@NtNA NA TIE SfAD rft1r-
lings. Not a drop OF water ESCAPED
from any OF these joints and many
old volunteer firemen who were urea-
ent admitted that they were convert
ed TO the screw coupling and that IL
was superior to the snap coupling.
II showed IL was possible 10 run
line OF hose through a parlor without
wetting the carpet or rugs. DESPITE
the hardest service at the other end
OF the line.
The test was witnessed by a large
number OF men, most OF them firemen
and members OF the volunteer COM
panies. They were much interested
In the new engine and watched II
closely throughout the test. The
motor appeared to be work
ing like a clock and many expressed
astonishment at the great volume Of
water 1t was able to throw.