Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-20
OWNERSHIP Of FIRE
BELLS IN DISPUTE
COUNCIL Has Many Offers to
Buy, But Not Sure They Have
Title to Equipment.

Ownership of the big bells ana
strikers In the towers OF the fire
houses and formerly used by the
volunteer fire companies, which has
been undetermined ever since the old
system was eliminated again came
before the members OF City Council
at their meeting last night and 20
have It settled finally It was decided
TO ask James Gray. superintendent
of police and fire alarm system, to
appear before Council next week and
tell the members what he knows about
the subject.
TWO letters We're received from
James Y. Campbell. chief OF the New
Castle Fire Department.. asking what
was going to be done with these bells
and strikers and some OF the regis
ters. He said they were IN the mar
ket for such equipment and they
would like to get some OF those for
merly used here.
Councilman Abrahams had similar
letters from nearly n doaen other fire
departments. He said there has been
much confusion over the ownership
of these bells and strikers. Ii APP
pears the fire companies using them
did not own them but that they are
the property of the city and all such
communications as those, received
last night have been going to the
directors of the Department OF Public
Safety. To settle the matter however
1t was agreed TO have Superintendent
Cray to tell them. If he knows, lust
who does own the equipment and then
disposition may be made of the bells.
| "A letter was received from the old
Washington Fire Co, asking what
Council Intended TO do about the
S272.a0 which the company claims il
due IT from the city under an agree
ment reached in settlement of the
threatened strike OF the firemen moro
than year ago. Mr.. Abrahams ex-
planned this money was promised the
company with big IF" attached TO 1,
and the "if'' did not materialize and
therefore the Council did not feel OH
ligated to pay it. However. the let.
ter was referred to the finance COM
mittee for consideration and n re-.
port.
The printing committee was author.
lied to advertise for bids for printing
the tax bills for 1922.
The committee of the whole re.
ported favorably on the public health
committees report that j. II. Greg.
ory's report be accepted. Mr.. Gregor5
is the expert brought here last yeal
10 make survey of the city relativ,
10 the collection and disposal of gar.
base. None of his recommendation.
have ever been adopted. as yet.
Residents In the vicinity of Thir,
and Monroe streets in a letter aske,
why the arc light they had asked b,
placed at that corner two years ag,
had never been put up. The letter wa.
referred to the Street and Sewer De
, partment.
Councilman Vincent presented ;
petition from residents of Twenty
third and West asking for an ar
light on that corner. II was Sc
forth that several robberies have bee,
committed there recently and a MAJ
was arrested with a loaded revolve
: In his possession. This petition wa
sent TO the Street and Sewer Depart
ment.
The Pine Neighborhood Association
sent letter to Council thanking ther
for attending the associations cele
bration Wednesday night.
Al ordinance was given two read
; ings amending an ordinance providin
for the licensing of stationary en-