Evening journal., 1921-09-01
Volunteer Firemen Sign
Up to Protect the City

representatives or only three
companies responded to a call for
report on contracts. when Councils
session opened. These companies
were the Washington. Liberty and
Union.
Councilman McNabb wanted to
know how many contracts had be,n
received. He was told six, namely.
Washington, Phoenix, Weccacoe.
Delaware, Liberty and Union.
A recess was asked by Council
man McManus. In this interval II
was learned that the remaining five
companies were holding meeting.
The recess lasted from $50 to .
o'clock, Turing which time there
were numerous small conferences.
! Upon reassembling President Ward
called for representatives OF COM
panies 2. 8. 6. Q, 10 and 70. There
was no answer. He then asked the
pleasure OF Council. in view of the
absence OF the companies mem
toned.
Mr.. McManus suggested that as
he had received word from the
Fame delegates that they would ar
rive in ten minutes. Council should
await their appearance.
A recess OF 80 minutes more was
ordered. This recess was remark
able for the number and variety OF
debates on the situation, pro and
con, privately conducted.
on again assembling, Councilman
McManus moved that inasmuch as
six companies had signed contracts.
I the city was reasonably protected"
and that the five companies which
had not signed be given until noon
today to sign.
This motion was adopted unani-
mously.
Threat 10 Cut Wires.
Mr.. McManus moved that the fire
alarm superintendent be instructed
to remove all wires and fixtures
from companies not signing.
Mr.. McNabb asked the reason for
cutting out the wires"
Mr.. McManus replied that these
FIVE companies. refusing to sign con-
| tracts, were not serving the city;
were dlsloyal and not entitled to
consideration"
He further declared that the city
had not obligated itself to take any
thing from the fire companies. and
that those companies which refused
to sign the compact need expect
anything from Council.
r. 7. Hanley. representing 200
men who have been actively train
ing at Third and Union streets. was
introduced and said the men were
back OF the city and will do any
thing possible 20 protect It," He
urged that Council establish a paid
department "as soon as possible"
Mr.. McNabb arose TO say that Il
was good to hear such news"
Il am ready to pay the boys" he
continued, "for services already
rendered. as well as such services
as viii be rendered. I will see TO Il
these men have first chance for
positions in the paid department
when It is established" he declared.
calling for the applause from the
gallery"
I At this juncture the arrival OF
Frank L. Brand president OF the
Fame Company. was announced.
Mr.. Brand said he was almost cx-
hausted by talking to hve companies
which had declined TO sign con-
tracts.
This condition OF affairs" he
said, is not OF their making. We
have notified Council from time to
time that this trial would come on"
Then he suggested a statement in
writing.
tror,,., rox,,.>o,,.-,. nno-
This statement presented in behalf
OF the Fame Fire Company. recited
that "an emergency has arisen thai
has jeopsrdized the safety of the
I city IN it's protection against dis.
. astrous fires" and that while tn,
hremen Of the city have "at al
times been most willing and anx
n ious not only to support the city
! government in said emergency. bu
4 also TO do our utmost duty as citi
: zens. to protect lives and property.
/, yet "the present volunteer fire com
= panies OF the city although willin-
: TO exert their utmost in the protec
tion OF property are not now 81
n organized as TO render adequat
: service should a disastrous fir
I. occur"
n The statement added that II ha
Z been suggested that the companie
~ enter into a three-months' con
: tract, for which the total compensa
ton paid by the city would tota
H. $22,367.35, and continued:
n 1T Is apparent to all those VIII
. are Informed upon the fire proteC
i tion situation in the city at tn
m present time, that the volunteer fir
companies are not at present abb
81 to deliver the services contracte
"A for or proposed 20 be delivered. an
II Il is a physical invpossfblity for II
,1 volunteer companies I'm their pre-
"a ent state OF organization or disc
IL ganization TO render adequate Sc
rs vice and fully protect the proper
~ OF the city against fires"
re- The statement then suggested tn
the city enter into a contract wit
l. the volunteer companies 10 tai
,e over their equipment at the pric
3 recently agreed upon and secure II
fire companies by giving them eth
Al promissory notes or certificates
s. indebtedness which shall fall dl
le tntil 'such time as the city can lega
N " acquire such property and furth'
J. that the city shall employ the pre-
is ent trained officers and men selects
D by the Department of Public Safety
is II further was suggested that u
,e city pay the officers and men out
re an emergency appropriation. ad,
lie ing:
ssc...h - ..,.o-r.o,.,.- ..,,,.o...-f.