Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-22
CONNELLY MAY MAKE
MOVE AGAINST NEW
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Hints at Effort to Enjoin Ex.
perditures of Department
of Safety.
OBJECTS TO OUTSIDERS

That the entire plan to institute
q paid fire department in this city on
September / may be blocked by court
proceedings, was the threat made be
fore the members of City Council
during their meeting last night by
William Nj. Connolly. president of the
Wecc@icoe Fire Co, who declared that
injunction proceedings in all proba-
bility will be instituted against the
Directors OF the Department Of Pub
lie Safety to restrain thern from max
ing any paymenta on the fire houses
they have purchased from the present
volunteer companies, also on the
purchase of equipment which has
been ordered. Misuse of the city's
funds. il was intimated, will be the
grounds on which the legal action
will be brought IL is also under
stood that two Of the best known and
most experienced attorneys ir. the city
Will be engaged 10 handle the suit
and in this connection the names of
Robert II. Richards and Robert G.,
Harman were mentioned this morn
ing. Whether the action Is To be
the result of Mr.. Conneily's individual
efforts or brought by a combination
of flremen or fire companies he did
not state last night.
Mr.. Connclly's intentions, il was
gathered by those who heard his re-
marks, arc TO wait until the bond is-
sue, ROW pending, has been made and
the money is available for naymen.
for the several bile contracted he-
fore inargurating the threatened legal
restraint. His chief concern is said
&c be the secrecy which has surround
ed all the transactions OF the DEPART
ment of Public Safety in connection
with the creation of the paid fire de-
7artment. the employment of experts
from other cities to act as advisers
10 the board and the purchase oi
large quantities of equipment, cost
ing several thousand dollars, without
asking Cor bids on these contracts.
Mr.. Connolly named Before the
Council number of Wilmington fire.
men, who, he claimed, are Just as
competent to advise the directors in
the establishment of a paid depart
ment as are the experts the Depart
ment of Public Safety brought here
from other cities to act in an advisory
capacity. He said he did not think il
was necessary for the board to go To
this expense when Wilmington had
men just as capable. He further stated
his objections 10 the department spend
ing many thousands of the city's funds
for new equipment without asking for
bids on the materials they thought
they needed. He also thought that
more OF the volunteer companies ap-
paratus should have been purchased
claiming that with proper repairs the
engines could have been put in Just
AS good shape as new machines.
May Attack Bonus and Lutz.
Mr.. Connolly was loud in his praise
OF the volunteer system, which has
been maintained in this city for many
years He recounted some of the past
history of the volunteer department,
mentioning the names of several men
who have given up their lives in the
performance of their duties. He said
these facts have not been given much
consideration by the safety depart-
ment in the work in connection with
the creation Of the paid department.
IL was understood today. although
the report could not be verified by
MIR. Connolly. who could not be locat-
ed, that further legal action is to be
brought against the city for the pay
ment of $4,000 to the Volunteer Fire
mems Relief Association, which is
called for in the fire department law
1t was also stated that action was 10
be brought in connection with the
appointment of William j. Lutz as
nre chief, because he was a member
OF the Legislature, which passed the
bill authorizing the tablishment OF
the new department. Both the paw
ment of the money TO the association
and Chief Lutz's selection, il was
stated, are held TO be unconstitutional
Mr.. Connolly, while claiming to be
a resident of this city, maintains a
home in Atlantic City. He is doing
some contracting work in Wilmington
however, and his name appears in
the telephone directory, the address
heing the home of his niece, 1910 Reed
street, where, it was stated today. he
sleeps when he remains in Whining
ton over night He commutes be-
tween Wilmington and Atlantic City
He is president of the Weccacoe Fire
Co, but al the fire house ii wa,
stated he had not been at any of the
company meetings for several months
MIddIatauu CaruixyaI Daaa,x..