Evening journal., 1921-12-28
BESTOW PRAISE
ON PAID FIREMEN
Business Men Compliment
Department on Work at
Mercantile Blaze
MAX MATTHES LAUDS
SUBURBAN "LADDIES'

, The following letters OF apprecla-
zion for the work done by the Will
mington Fire Department have been
received by the Department Of Pub
lie Safety.
I'VE wish to compliment you and
the members Of the Wilmington Fire
Department on the very efficient
manner in which they handled the
fire az our plant on Thursday
morning, December %. and the
many courtesies extended TO our
company during the FIRE.
I'VE had with us today Mr.. L. b
Hoacock. inspector, Middle Depart
ment, Fire Board Of Underwriters
who fully inspected the ruins and
asked me TO compliment the Will
mington Fire Department on the
very efficient way. in his Judgment
they handled this FIRE. He said the
fire department must have done par
ticularly good work as he could moi
sec how they saved our main build
ing and also the buildings on the
north. belonging 20 the New Castle
Leather Company. He also express.
ed regret that he was not here TO sec
the fire and the operations OF the
department as everyone from the
chief down must have done good
work.
MERCANTILE PRINTING co.
''E. r. Bye. treasurer"
Corey Lands Efficiency
ION my way to my ONCE last
Thursday morning. December 22,
stopped for a short time TO observ,
the paid Fire Department in action
at the scene OF the large fire al
Tenth and Walnut streets.
Il was very favorably impressed
with what 1 saw. In the first place
I noticed that all Of the firemer
were properly equippe1. that is. the,
all had helmets, waterproof coats
rubber boots and gloves. which q
I'm contrast 10 what ] saw at tn,
Barr and Dougherty fire severa
years ago, in cold weather. wher
not more than half OF the men wer'
properly equipped. Knowing one o.
two Of the firemen personally. in
quired the reason, and was tols
that each company only had abou
enough helmets. coats. boots, etc, 4
equip about half OF Tie members
The first-come were equipped. thos
later got what they could. The maj
who told me this had only helmet
no waterproof coat, boots or gloves
His feet were wet and he was shiver
ing with cold while talking to me
I admired his bravery in jeopardiz
ing his health. and perhaps his life
fighting a FIRE for others. withou
compensation; and there wer
others like him.
Il further noticed on Thursda,
that the discipline was excellent.
fireman, before addressing his chief
saluted him and gave his informa
tion and received his instructions Il
an orderly manner. .e
Il am informed ttat one OF IN
engines stopped at a hydrant a
Eleventh and Poplar streets and wa
pumping water in three minute.
Each man had his part TO perform
and did so without delay and in tn
proper manner. making the hydran
connection. laying hose, etc. Thi
certainly shows what training wi
do.
81 have been very much intereste
I'm the Paid Fire Department.
was a pleasure to me 20 see Il work
ing so well at this early date. and
think that you are to be congratu
lated on the progress made so IA
] feel safe In saying that in the nea
future Wilmington will have a fir
department equal TO any city OF tn
same size.
Yours very truly,
Delaware Leather Company.
william c. Corey, President"
Praises Suburban Companies.
''Unquestionably many peopl
have been skeptical at times as
the value Of efficiency of voluntee
fire companies in sparcely settle
suburban and rural districts. Sue
skepucism would have been drive
from the mind OF any man VIII
watched the brave and masterl
manner in which the volunteers ,
the Five Points. Newport, Cransto
Heights and Elsmere fire depar
mcntS, assisted Dg the pdlu HItHie
from Wilmington handled the m
at my home on Wednesday at 12.s
o'clock.
Certainly had 1t not been fC
those fremen working under a ser
Gus handicap, due 10 the extreme
cold weather and the shortage {
water supply my dwelling houi
would have been destroyed, &
gether with my barn.
II watched the men posted on n
roof Of my home and marveled
the efficiency and celebrity wit
with which they extinguished bla'
after blaze due to the flying embe
from the barn.
81 wish to extend to all such fir'
men that were at my place my hea
felt thanks for the service they rel
dored. To my thanks are attach'
those Of the other members OF n
family. MAX MATTHES-"
MIN nuuu ~ TNGMMlMT