Evening journal., 1921-12-22
OPPOSEBUYING
fame PROPERTY
fContlnued From Page One.l

but felt there was no need for II by
the fire department.
The Fame fire company last
Thursday night presented letter to
Council. asking that body to either
purchase the Fame property or use
( its Influence with the Department OF
Public Safety to that end. Upon vote
Of Council the directors OF the De-
partment Of Public Safety were in
vited to meet with Council last night
The meeting was marked by an
almost unanimous sentiment that II
would be foolish TO invest $4,000 Of
city funds In something that was not
needed. The remark was made that
the only reason there could be for
the purchase Of the property would
be from sentimental reasons. the
company having for many years
loyalty served the city.
Colonel Weller II. Slower. in re-
sponse TO Inquiries, said that some
years ago, when he was in Council
that body had cancelled a mortgage
1t held against the Fame Company.
OF $4,000. lie also stated that he
believed the valuation OF $4,000. for
which the property had been as
sessed and for which they are will
ing to sell, was not unreasonable.
but ii would cost a considerable sum
OF money to fit IL for any other pur-
pose than that OF a fire house.
At the beginning OF the discussion.
President OF Council Ward read the
communication from the Fame Fire
Company, presented to Council.
which complained that other fire
company houses had been purchased
by the Department OF Public Safety.
that were not as well adapted for the
purpose as was theirs; the fire
house was situated in an ideal loca-
tion, and referring to the many years
OF service by the members of the
company. The declaration was also
made that the act OF legislature, ere
ating the paid fire department, con-
templated the purchase OF an fire.
houses in the city.
This statement was contradicted
by Councilman McNabb. who said
that while such possibly had ap-
peared in an earlier act presented,
the act as passed, contained nothing
that could be 80 construed.
Mr.. Smith. said that the Fame
Company had applied to the Depart
ment Of Public Safety on two differ
ent occasions. and the directors had
explained to them that the depart
ment felt they did not need the
Fame and Delaware fire houses, and
that II they purchased them II
would be because OF sentimental rea
SONS This. the directors felt, would
not be right, he said, as they were
directed to organize the paid fire de
nartment on a strictly business basis
giving the city the full value for th'
money spent. I'VE did not taxi
sentiment into consideration con
cluded Mr.. smith.
, The directors we're asked II IL wa
, true that the experts in the ehplo
of the Department Of Pubic SaleN
had advised the directors to purchas
the Fame Fire Company house. Al
three directors denied that any sucl
recommendation had been made 4
lthem by the men employed for TN
nurpose OF appraising the fire house
and advising as to the best dlstribu
ltion Of the ten houses contemplated
The directors were asked II the,
, could use the Fame house II the clt.
. decided to purchase 1t. MT Smitl
said that he could not see any nee'
they had for such building at TN
nlace. II was suggested that tn
/, huilding might be used for storag
or as a machine shop. Mr.. Smlt
Z said Il would prove a rather eNpen
! sive storehouse and that the depart
s ment has already practically decide
y upon a building adjoining the waite
b. witch Fire Company house TO
used as a machine shop. This latte
@ building is not only better equippe
O for the purpose, said Mr.. Smith, o'
Il can be put in shape for the purpo'
d at a much lower cost
The suggestion was made that n
" Delaware Fire Company buildiI
v. should be also purchased IL Counc
j. for sentimental reasons saw NJ
.d take over the Fame house, an
Al Council was practically unanimo'
IA on that point. but they also were
A. the unanimous opinion that 1t wou
be a rather costly bit OF senume
= as the two buildings. for which q
M city had no use. would cost S3l, ,00
10 II agree with everything -aid
/. the lettor from the Fame Tire Cor
= nany from sentimental stan
- point" w. b. Megear stated, but.
said. the department considered q
p Washington company's building be
ter located tor a double compan
as Il could l'e maintaine al less q
!" pense than two fire houses, tn
D. eliminating the Delaware ana Fan
,n He thought the houses purchas
iu very wei distributed In view 1f Il
IN fact that the Weccacoe, TO the we
and tho Reliance. TO the east. cou
r very we'll care for contiguous teri
ne tory
so The question OF carrying fire
n surance was then brought up by \
ie Smith, who recommended the C
carry its own insurance in view
ar the small fire hazard, pointing q
TX insurance would cost the city a
he proximately $4,000 a year, or at
ne rate OF so cents per hundred
Ie about $500. 900. II was felt the RI
n OF loss by fire was infinitely SIN
IL where the apparatus and men W.
IN housed. and there was only the r
he OF a great confiagration. II was
planned in twenty-five years only {
fires have occurred in the local
E. houses. and in each case the dame
g, was negligible.
ce Members OF the DEPARTING
agreed. unon sugestion OF Chairm