Milford chronicle., 1933-02-24
Firemen At Dinner

held at the Harrington Fire Hous'
on Wednesday, February Is. The 10
cal company acted as hosts, ably as
sisted by the Ladies Auxiliary who
served a turkey dinner to over one
hundred delegates and guests: a
the same time the active members
of the local department were also
present. The banquet started at 1896
o'clock when President Swain re-
quested Prof J. c. Messner to offei
the blessing. During the dinner q
local orchestra of seven pieces de-
lightfully entertained with numer-
Gus selections, playing encores fol-
lowing rounds of applause.
The ladies' disposed of a bed
spread at the close of the dinner; il
was won by Alfred Webb of South
Bowers. The tables were cleared
and the iiremen proceeded with
their business meeting. The presi-
dent asked members of City Council
and the president of the local conf
pany to stand up for introduction.
c. +. Keyes representing the Har-
rington Rotary Club made few re-
marks, he referred to the motto OF
Rotarians. He said firemen serve in
two ways, first by exposing them
selves TO danger for their fellowmen
and second in raising their own
money for maintenance. He declar-
ed fire companies should be provid-
ed with a substantial budget to
carry on. f. E. Rash, president of
the Harrington Chamber of Com
merce, could not be present owing
Ia a previous engagement, and sent
a letter of regrets. President Swain
welcomed the delegates and guests
and then the assembly gave the aux
iliary and orchestra a rising vote of
thanks for the splendid dinner and
music.
Senator Louis A. DreXler gave
very interesting talk and said the
firemen were handicapped in rural
districts by lack of water. He sug-
gested an educational campaign. He
referred to cellophane as an inham-
mable material He urged cOmmuni-
ties without fire protection to pro-
vide for water with either large
wells OF clsterns, or by daming Il
stream. He further stated that far
mers could aid the firemen by pro-
viding a supply of water. He quoted
tax rates of nearby states and said
that taxes in Delaware were low in
comparison to other states. and 20
per cent of the farms in Delaware
face on hard surface highways,
which Is still another asset as COM
pared to other states. Senator Drex-
Ter declared he was partly respon-
sible for the per cent insurance
law, the money which is used to
support fire companies. A tax rate
of one half of one mill would net
taxes in Kent and Sussex counties
TO over $4,000, which would be suf-
feient to maintain fire companies
without resorting to carnivals, sup
pers and other methods of raising
funds. Other remarks were made by
Prof. J. C. Messner, Superintendent
of Schools of Harrington. Elbert c.
Bailey, of Laurel, Past President OF
the State Association, headed a dele
cation from Laurel and spoke of the
State Convention to be held in Lau- |
rel in September. ]. G.. Gluyer came ,
with a delegation from New Castle |
county and Chief Barker of Milton |
with other firemen were also pres /
ent. He invited the Kent County |
Aremen to the Sussex County meet
ing at Milton en- February 2S.
During the business session the
roll call disclosed that all compan-
les were present except Clayton.
Only one officer and one director
were absent. Annual dues to the as
sociation were paid by Cheswold and
Frederica. The question box provid-
cd by the host company was in
charge of Frank O'Neal. Vice Presi-
dent Sam Powell, sergeant of the
State Police. enlightened the COM
panies in regards to accidents while
responding to fires and stated that
any driver of a vehicle on the high I
way not giving right of way to fire ;
engine, ambulance or police patrol /
is liable TO an arrest. The question {
as to who should give orders for the i
of furniture from a burn [
ing building brought forth much dis
The president named a c
of three to work out b
some plans on an educational cam +
paign to enlighten those in need of O
4 fire company. how to secure the 9
proper company in their respective Z
Past State President, W. w. L
PettyjOhn, is chairman of the COM S
mlttee, together with Chief Morris, d
Smyrna, and Harry C. Tee of Har- s
rington.
Nomination of officers took place {,
which resulted as follows: Presi- G.
lent, J. E. Haddaway, Camden, and G.
Samuel Powell. Dover; first vice W
Caleb w. Johnson, Mag le
iolia; second vice president, Joseph s,
swain, Cheswold; secretary, Willard ol
3oyce, Dover; treasurer, C. w. tc
Clayton; direct, 2 years, tr
. D. Morris. Smyrna; director, one NJ
ear, Marion Stevenson, Frederica,
nd Randolph Hughes, Hartly. Fur A.
her nominations will take place at
be Smyrna meeting in March when al
fiicers will be elected. su
The following were seated at the
peakers table Mayor Adams, Coun- 81
ilman Roy Porter, c. Z. Keyes, II
resident of Harrington Rotary W,
lub; Past State President f. C. er
alley, Laurel; Past State President
7. w. Pettyjohn, Dover; county vice Ca
resident, Samuel Powell, Dover; Ri
enator Louis A. Drexler, Camden;
iagistrate w. H. Cahall, Harring- pr
IN; State Director Ralph c. Hayes, ioi
over; Chief George w. Cain. Har- ev
ngton; Senator Wilbur E. Jacobs,
arlington; J. G.. Gluyer, state pr
'easurer of the State Association; lie