Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-08-12
USELESS AGITATION.

SATURDAY. AUGUST II, 1921.
USELESS AGITATION.
city Council. At Thursday nights
became engaged in quite a
turmoil Of discussion over tho Fire
Councilman Murray. Nc
NAbb and NulvsnA made vigorous pro-
tsst against the action OF tho Direc-
tors Of Public Safety in eliminating
one company from the department
forcs and dropping III ofhcers and
members from the service. which the
directors wsrs compelled to do when |
CITY Council refused to grant the fun
amount OF the appropriation they
asked for. The protesting Councilmen
insisted tho City Council should take
action TO prevent this curtailment.
speaking generally and forcib,y in
behalf OF the men who are 70 bs drop
ped, who had given faithful service
during the preliminary training period
and were prepared to continue this
COED sarvios II retained. Councilman
NelxAnus, chairman Of the finance
sommittsA upheld the Justice Of City
Councils action IN cutting down the
hrs department estimate, and pre-
dicted the coming years operations
Of the department could easily he con-
ducted on the appropriation allowed IT.
With due respect 20 our city fathers,
we submit that the time has gone by.
as least untn II becomes necessary TO
make appropr1atsons for another nscal
year, for indulging In hot discussions
ever this subject. or indeed giving
II any further official attention. Tho
books ars closed 20 fas - TIE currsnt
aseai ysar n eonesrnsd. unless Some
upsxpsctsd emergency should arise
requtrsas further assantion and aetaoo-
Thsn the Council would have ample
authority, under the city charter, 10
fully meet the emergency By An sx-
trsordinary appropriation.
The necessity for curtailing the de-
partments fghtins forces after they
had been built up and organixsd by
the Department Of Public Safety 10
a matter 70 be regretted. 20 far rs
the f,remen who suffer are concerned.
II 1. bound TO be a disappointment and
q heavy blow TO them TO be thus drop
red from the service after they had
entered upon their active duties. But
tho Department Of Public Safety
should have guarded against such q
contingency by rfrsining from th'
iibssal,ty Il displayed IN creating thu
active forces Of the new department
Had they then done voluntarily VIVA
they nov nnd themselves compelles
90 do tv reason Of insufficient nnancia
resources. there would have been M
occasion for such unpleasant re
trenchmsns At this time.
Nor do we bslieve the cftisens nes'
entertain any fear OF increased Ar
hazards from this reduction OF th
nre Ashung force. A. Councilmal
McMsnus pointed out, the department
today. even With this enforced reduc
,ion, 10 infinitely more effective tina
was the volunteer department in II
bes, days. II has moro apparatui
and this apparatus u manned BY
force oe 100 trained firs fighters. man
more than the volunteer departmer
vas able 70 provide for assured Sci
Vice upon any occasion. And With th!
assured increase In the s6cisncy {
the department.. even With the rsduc
tion soon 20 BE- applied. ehers dos
not seen 10 be the slightest prete,
for any increase In rates OF insul
snce. n any changes should be pr'
posed In this very important item. the
should b. In tho direction Of low,
rates. a. the cisys protection again
arr hazards under the present d
partment " much greater than bcfo
the change.
The best plan for all concerned "
b 20 accept the new situation vi
eaimness and work unitedly for Il
best interests OF the dspartme
throughout the year. The Directo
u Public Safety shoa!d exercise pra
tical economy, ~ we'll A. those
charge OF all other departments of I
municipal administration. Judicio
economy ,s not Incompatible with
hciency. and economy has long be
. need IN the administration Of o
munieipAi affairs Our city taxes ha