Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-09

pensation Of members OF the Councils to IS per
week, provided the annual compensation does
not exceed e250 per annum. By Mr. Larner-
Petition Of p. J. Torrey; bill 10 set curbstone
and lay pavement on west side Of 9Th street
west, from N to o streets. BY Mr.. Moore
Papers In relation to Assessment for Sc ewer in
square 43l; communication OF j. J. Peabody,
late Chief Engineer OF Fire Department, maxim z
Suggestions in regard to the Fire Departments;
to Fire Commissioners, and ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Peabody argues that the commissioners
should be men OF some experience as iremsn,
so as 10 Know the wants OF q fire department,
ootn as to the apparatus and location OF engine
houses Tor the general good. He thinks that
the salary Of the Chief Engineer {$l,2O0) should
not be reduced, and that that officer should b.
hrrn, active, and determined man. The
commissioners propose to reduce the foremen's
salaries, and allow them to engage In other
except that it is to give the place to particular
men. and he names the following acti We and
efficient fremen who applied for the places
and agreed to give their undivided attention to
their duties: Thompson and Stroble, of the
Perseverance; Maddox. OF the Fran kiln Bur-
CESS, Of the Anacostia; Lowe and TAFT, Of the
given TO those, and, il men of safficient intel.
Mgence cannot be found, reduce the foremen's
salaries and appoint an assistant engineer, or
increase the salaries 30 as to command the
services of good men. They wish to reduce
the tillerman's salary, and allow him TO en-.
gage in other business, when 1t was as inpor.
tant that the til!erman should be at the house
as the hostler. He sees no objection to the In
crease Of salary, but there Is no necessity to
increase the salary OF the steam engineers, as
by the time the engines arrived it will be found
difficult to get good men at the increased rates,
as the wages are advancing daily.
In relation to the addition Of another hook
and ladder company, he says it will only add
an annual expense of $4,000, without being Of
any benefit. There is no necessity for an in
crease OF the number Of companies, II they
were properly located, which, he says, is not
the case. One engine should be located near
the Capitol, another near the Post ONCE (and
the hook and ladder should be housed with
this one), and the third near the corner OF New
York avenue and 18th street. II this were the
arranEement, one engine and the truck would
be ready to work In any part Of the city in ten
minutes, and in the heart OF the city, where
nine-tenths Of the fires occur, they will be ready
to 60 to work in five minutes Mr.. Peabody's
arrangement would leave all that large por-
ton OF the city south Of the canal 'tout In the
cold" altogether, and the allegation that by
can be reached and the engine ready to be
worked In ten min nutes, is the greatest absurdi-
ty irnaginable-Ed.l 1t is mistaken idea
about pulling. down buildings when they are
on fire, and this means should be applied only
when all others fail. He Is confident that,
with proper management Of the department, If
the engines are located properly and the tele-
graph in good working order, in nine cases out
out of ten the fire will not get out Of the build
ing in which it originates.
Mr. Peabody says that the absence OF fire
2Itn Of July, was owing to the old department
having been abolished before the new one was
organized, which was the fault Of the Mayor
and Commissioners, as they had ample time
to put 1t in operation without the steam.en-
gines, and il would have been more efficient
than the old department.
The following were introduced and passed:
BY Mr.. Larner-to construct sewer on 18th
street, from X street to the canal; BY MT
Marche-resolution for the protection Of the
reporters, by erecting moso uito bar to keep
flies from falling on the table. During
the sessions Of the board the gnats and other
insects attracted by the glare OF the great chan
deler, fall upon the reporters table In almost
inconceivable numbers.-REF.
The following bills were reported and passed:
BY Mr.. Ferguson, (ways and means I'm
the Council to IS per meeting. pro ovlding the
salary shall not exceed $3.50. BY Mr.. Larner,
(improv ements)-Aldermen's bill to grade and
gravel street south, from Sd to 7th street
west, with an amendment; which was con-
Cured in; to grade and gravel K street south,
from 4th street east to the canal; for the erec.
ton of a HORSEBACK on the northern side Of the
Northern Market-house; substitute for Alder
man bill to set curb and pave footway on the
north and south side Of G. street north, from
9th to 10th streets west. - . .E -....
Mr.. Kelly (claims) reported bill to regulate
the weight and sale of hay, oats, straw, &c,
increasing the rates now allowed to the weigh.
ers; laid over to the next meeting.
Mr. Wright fire Department. reported sub.
stitute for Aldermen's bill providing for the
appointment OF certain offcers-for fire and
police telegraph superintendent two opera.
TORS line repalrer and battery-one half the
expense to be paid by the commissioners Of
police; passed.
Mr. Ferguson offered resolution Of respect
to the memory of Robert T. knight, Esq. late
q member of the board from the Fifth Ward;
which was passed; an in respect to the MEM
ory Of the deceased the board adjourned.