The New York herald., 1867-02-07
PREVENTION OF FIRES.

How Fires In This City Can Be Preventea-
Communication from tho Police Commits
sioncrs About the once OF Fire Marshall
&c.
Tho Police Commissioners have transmitted the 10
bwing communication, containing replies TO certain -
terogatons Of Legislative committee as to the mose
effective manner Of preventing nres especially those
an incendiary origin in this city.
CRrrRAL DEPARTMENT OF METROPOLITAN PoLIcR,
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 1857
Colonel r. B. CoNKrMG, Chairman, &c.:-
DEAR Sm Your communication Of the 10th ult =
the President Of the Board Of Metropolitan Poliss
Commissioners has been submitted 70 the Board Ihe
Board has given such consideration 70 the qqestien1
proposed the limited time at ts command has peN
ntted 1st The large number Of fires within the paae
year and tho great destruction Of property caused
many Of them we'll calculated TO excite the alax4
not only Of underwriters, but Of every owner q
property II ID very desirable 70 ascertain the oaus
Of every-fro that OCCURS whether . DO the result q
suits ia any case from the naturf tie goods stored
the place Of the hre and whether the great lo1 q
csSss svsD where % the rs has occurred notwshsssn
ing ali reasonable precautou to guard against such -
accident + !: ssO very desirable % know whsther -
wisdom. 4 nrs marsbsi, clothed With powsr -
on's Sis ana @ ssposns % s. soss z s these ssysss ps
lars whenever Are occurs would naturally BE- cxpscs4
70 BE- q very grea. service e snderwrtes and = -
olentiy. II T. should b ascsrtsinsd that many q
these nres resulted from some other cauae than -
nss'nGss Sss 10 nm 1'ss osg.nssa sa.. u sas
tsous consequences of many Of the nree u canso4
q: s:nn's n :si s vsoS ssdss ], S sss
inadequate efforts o. mesns 70 arrest the prcgresg -
extnsuish them, remedy 70 some extent : -
be created BY Law, and the ocer appointed by ssns
desgnated authority Or public body distinct nom -
independent Of The Fire Departments His reports Y -
thorty that appoints him And that authority. when
ever any report mads 70 II should show thst any Hsa
fsu should oomunicass he fsc. 70 sSs hss6 Z sssH
department II the disastrous effects q the Ore aAsu10
" y s q q % e
ssss. CO.. should i'd y . = ono. eonnusicsssd . =
tSss such ersinanccs and statutes ars snisrcsS -
the volateas of them punished. It b found thet ~
n!s was y p sn sssn 'es = sss -
rested and the evidence q biz guilt furnished % -
Oistrct Attorney An ecaent and intelligent dsohae
en . would b speooed In any law framed wttA 60
and comprehensive view q the wants Of the co0mn
s s.S: s. :ss
son owning occupying premises liable TO be dssssy
By IL 4 Whether the F,rs Marshal should b .
Board of Police. mater q minor importanos :
should be appointed by some authority that s in 90
& Ss 10 .o
dsposed and ablSto investigate promptly any spparsee
negsos Of duty or improper conduct on bis paFA
and 70 remove hin from of1ce and appolne
another in his place whensvsr ths pubc good rsqars1
Il Additional legislation would b. necessary 70 aoeog
plish the desired reform. "a the compensaeteo
should be such that person OF the requisite capae
intelligence and energy could afford for il 70 devote -
time and thoughts and best efforts in the discharge q ~
in such position, should b one whose services wssii
be worth least $1,000 per annum and could oommnnl
that compensation elsewhere II such oflcer ooshoa
with the requisite authority, and performing hrs dalA
properly, should demonstrate by the results that -
an once Il matter Of public importance be shouia -
paid out OF the public treasury. Such results wouo1
show that the ofce and tho proper performanoe u =
duties required TO furnish 70 the individual mea
bers Of tho community the protection whiah IL hnea
results shord demonstrate that the once was not o.
productive OF good to the public 10 should be aboahoA
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
BY order Of the Board OF Police
THOS G. ACTON PresidsuA