Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-26
NO POLITICS IN SALE
OF FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
Vim. p. Mcconnell Explains in
Detail All About Trans
fer of Property.

William p. Mcconnell, chairman of
the committee which was in charge
of the disposal of the property OF the
Friendship Fire Company, on Tatnal
street. between Delaware Avenue and
Eleventh street, today denied state
ments made by George Taylor. presi-
dent of the Delaware Fire Company
yesterday. relating to the Friendship
Company.
When seen by a representative OF
Every Evening today. MIR. Mcconnell
eInphatically denied that any political
influence had been used in the sale of
the property of the fire company. He
said several months before the Friend
ship Company decided to quit the fire
service in the city, an offer had been
made by Nathan Miller of this city.
to purchase the property at $4,000
and to deposit 5000 TO bind the bar
gain. with a three months refusal
clause.
The Friendship Company gave
Council notice that they had received
an offer for the sale of their property
and wanted 70 know if the city was
interested in the purchase OF the
property.
The Wilmington Automobile Com
pany, whose property adjoins the
Friendship Company. made an offer
OF s5S,ooo before the property had
been purchased by the Department Of
Public Safety, according to Mr.. Nc
Conneil.
Denying that any political deals
were involved. Mr.. Mcconnell said
that when the sale of the property
came up for action, a committee Of
seven members was appointed, with
he as chairman. This committee was
appointed for the purpose of having
property. This committee gave Mr..
Mcconnell full power 10 so ahead and
negotiate with the Department of
Public Safety.
Mr.. Mcconnell said that he con-
ferred with the Directors and made
the bargain with them after several
conferences
Mr.. Mcconnell said, that he re-
ported back TO the committee that he
had made a deal with Directors or
Public Safety, but that he requested
the members not 10 ask him about
any purchase price, as the Directors
os Public Safety had asked him not
to say anything about purchase prices,
until deals had been closed with the
other companies OF the city. for the
purchase of their property.
That Mr.. Mcconnell kept This
promise is evident from his statement
made to the Every Evening repre-
sentative. that the members OF the
company, not even the officials. knew
until one week ago. that tine Depart
ment of Public Safety had completed
the deal for the purchase Of the prop
erty at $4,000.
Referring 10 the statement made
by Mr.. Taylor, that the Department
could have been organized for $780,
900 less than il is costing the city. MIR.
Mcconnell was loud in his praises of
the Directors OF Public Safetv. ana
said that they deserved credit for
their action in going out of the city
10 secure assistance in organizing the
department, for he said, serious con-
tentions would undoubtedly nave aris-
Ell had someone been selected from
Wilmington TO organize the depart
ment He said he believed the com
missioners had used very good judg-
ment in their action.
In rebuttal Of the point that too
much money had been paid for the
property, Mr.. Mcconnell said James
McCombs, a member Of the Friend
ship Company had requested the
committee to take not less than s75,-
900 for the property, which he con-
sidered was a fair price for it, based
on his knowledge of real estate, of
which he owns a large amount him
self