New Britain herald., 1924-11-19
BLAMES BERLIN FOR
 LOSS OF HIS HOME
Jones May Seek Redress Because of Red Tape
 Delay

T pay $40 in a separate and dis ttnct tax for fire protection and wa ter In the town Of Berlin, and I be- lieve that the town IS responsible for my fire loss of Monday morning when my home went up in flames, due to tardiness in getting in call to the New Britain fire department because of the red tape that sur- rounds such calls" said E. R. Jones, of Berlin today as he sought legal advice on his problem.
 The loss to the house and con- tents is figured at ove- s22,000 by the owner and he believes that the town of Berlin, inasmuch as it col lects for fire protection from hin is responsible for the loss. 4 2 Accor 'hg to Mfr. Jones, Ch iei Noble of the local department has stated that he could have made the run to Berlin and got water on the fire inside of three minutes from re- ceipt of call. but there was a period of eight minutes which elapsed be- tween the time he received the call from Mir. Jones, which he could not answer and the time of the call from Selectman Carter, which the local department did answer. That eight minute loss made a great deal of difference in fighting the fire and the chief is alleged to have said that il is probable that the fire could have been prevented from breaking through the roof if the first call could have been answered.
 There were over $2000 worth of . antiques in the house. which had been handed down in the family for over a hundred years, hated to lose them" said MT. Jones. And the loss to the house could have been prevented in part had my call been answered. l had to get the selectman and have him call New Britain be- fore the department could respond 1 pay for water and for fire protec- tion. $40 If l remember right, and l do not use the water from the mains having system installed from a well. It costs, so I am told, $50 tc have the New Britain department make the run to Berlin, but the pro- tection is poor if selctman must be found to make the call. believe have case"
 A few larger property owners in the town of Berlin have the right tc call the New Britain department themselves, although Mir, Jones stated he did not know this before today, They have gained the right by testifyins in writing, to the New Britain chief that they are property owners and will assume responsibill' ty for the payment of $50 for mak' ing the run. This privilege is moi generally understood in Berlin, 1t Is said, and there are many property owners who have not taken ad' vantage of the opportunity. MT Jones claims that 1t has not beer explained and that the menace in 'ht probable delay which would be in. cured in getting selectman tt make the call Is great,
 Those who have submitted letter. to Chief Noble and who may tele' phone for the New Britain fire de partment for their own propert! only are: American Paper Good' Co.,, Berlin Construction Go, Stanle! Chemical Co, Clark Brick Co. Don nelly Brick Co. H. L. Judd, Merwir Brick Co.. Stiles and Reynolds Bric' Co.,, Leon filling, Stanley Galpin Shuttle Meadow club, Prentice Mfg Co., N. Y. N. H. & H, R, R., Mur ray Brick O., R. NJ. Griswold, M D., and the Berlin Saving bank.
 Otherwise the only persons au thorized to call out the departmen are the selectmen, William II Schroeder, Raymond F. Dyer A. L Woodruff and George B. Carter.