The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-18

Coseempla ResvgaASsasisa II the Depars.
ness-An she Privases 60 be Withdrawu frem
All she Companies Above Feurteeush street
and Detailed % Companies Down Tswu-
TIE Departments Not Enicient for Want Of
Nles.
The Fire Conmissionsrs have now undsr considsrar
ton the reorganization Of the whole department
which win give each company more men in
the lower portion OF the city. Il has bsen
conceded. not only By many promissnt members
Of the old volunteer department but BY the leading
onicsn Of the department that In the organization
Of the prsssnt paid system there was mot proper
consideration given 70 the importance Of having perfect
and efficient force below Canal street The most
serious connasrations that have occurred have bsen
down town. and often the case that noswihstand-
ing the large number Of that performed duty in the
old Seventh and Eighth districts under tho volunteer
system that on many OCCASIONS they were short
Of men, The duty that has been imposed upon
the men In the lower districts with the exception OF
the last two three months has been most arduous
owing 70 the small number OF men each company 10
assigned II will readily be seen that Il 10 almost
an mpossib,ty for six men, In cold wintry weather,
70 stand 81 tho pipe twenty -four hours has been the
case without deriment TO their health The companies
u prcsen, only consist Of twelve men. Taking away
the foreman and assistant the engineer and etoker.
who are compelled TO remain by the engine, and the
drivers leaves only ak active men for general duty. Al
- the genrai custom, one man is on every night on
leave Of absence thus reducing the number 70 i've A
IL always takes two men 70 man steamers pipe,
and oflen.imes three, there arc only two
IRE compelled 10 assist The engine men, and the greatest
confusion exists at al down town big Ores owing 70 the
constant borrowing OF men from one company 70 an.
other II has been somewhat surprising that the Chief
Engineer has not long since brought about change.
He has freely acknowledged that the department. down
town was not strong enough; and out Of charity to the
men, many OF whom have been almost frozen 70 death
by being compelled TO stand four and five hours 1t
pipe on cold and frosty night something should DO
done
The change contemplated is TO transfer the pri-
Yates from all the paid companies above Fourteenth
street and distribute them into the companies below
Fourteenth street. They then contemplate dining up the
up Town companies with volunteers who 70 DO paid
90 much year. and be allowed 70 attend TO other bust
There At present. above Fourteenth street, eleven
steam engine companies and four truck companies,
2 > 8. Il, IT, 10. Il, %, IS % ana q, and HOOK
and Ladder Companies Nos g. 1, and ~.
Fromshis force they contemplate Withdrawing
only .. foreman, engineer stoksr and driver
under full pay in all engine companies and foreman,
Of the above companies Is then 70 30 allowed twenty
men, who to about $500 per year turn out
only in case Of Ore and 70 pursue their usual avoca.on
portion Of the city - before; in fact more available In
case OF large nre
In and Fourteenth street there are twenty
steamers and eight truck companies which, when
equally distributed with the above number taken from
the up town companies, will give each company four
teen strong
has been also suggested TO reorganize the whole do
partment and make sort Of half volunteer depart
ment The expenses Of running the department will be
still less " this plan II adopted, and AFFORD . much
stronger force. II costs for salaries little over
only twelve men. With volunteer force OF twenty
i've men. At salary OF 5000 each, together with
At goo per ys
men at cost Of So, 000 showing saving Of $4,000 on
each company which amount, deducted from the or
pcnse OF the whole force consisting OF fortysi COM
panes would be saving OF S1sA 900 per annum, while
adding four hundred and nfty.two more men 70 the
sumed that whatever change made will be carried out
about the nrst OF next month.