New-York tribune., 1868-01-07
THE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION AND THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT.

Messrs. William Wood, William BlOodgood.
Samuel s. Constant. Nathaniel sands Richard NJ Henry:
and Thomas j. Powers, committee or the Cltzens
Association who were appointed to confer with the Com
reported that the conference Monday the
10th nmo and terminated on the following THURSDAY,
estimated cost Of the Fire Department In 1858 sSsOo
All persons on the Departnents payroll are employed
in the aaSs ssS OF e a9ss a and ose
duties The reforms which the Commissioners have In
troduced are l. Placing the Department in condition
Of strict discipline and efficiency system of monthly
OF oil property In charge Of the various officers of
dated ~ the secretarY showing the consumption and
pendture of all articles used IN the various branches OF
This Department. and no officer entitled his pay
less his return upon proper examination found 10 De
correct The present Treasurer OF the Department
by single check the foreman of each company, has
adopted system OF drawing his check payable, only for
and ali bills actually incurred and properly
fed and audited by the Finance Committee as necessary
condition The Committee OF the Department Build
ings have done within the Department all repairs to
usi as costra.ed ~ with Contractors estimates, G for
nd such work as %sas0nry plumbing sashns. ihas
ough condition Of repair every building occupied by the
, Tne DeRsr%enf me ALSO a. the epa Saia
Guiding hose and manufacture and repair OF all harness
OF the Department and manufactured for service several
complete hosetenders at cost represented 10 be e<s
than they be purchased for OF The
Board appointed In May OF its members, under egs-
latye enactment as Chairman OF the Bureau OF Com
Dustbes whose duty is TO examine and prosecute for
naphtha, and other combusbles TO fully carry the
object OF the law four competent persons were appointed
Quoted successful for violations
OF this law The number Of men in the Department in
is 604 and their pay Is as follows
ieT Pc, Anu 900 D@, iss
Assistant Peremen...... 100 A.isisHt Eunneer... :es
Number hand ehgue' nsrOer Of active service ~
.Hd the number 10 rs'. q t average cost 's,msrs s'
The cost OF the Volunteer fre Department in the year
for the year iscs II must 5e borne in hind that Of iEs
about s7oooOo for the OF the force The Citl-
zens Associations Committee, afer commencing tue
Fire COMMISSIONER measures generally. say: Your
Committee also commend the regulation Of the Depart
Two men from each Company patrol the streets nghS
and day in the vicinity OF their houses, on the lookoas
watch III the house TO send out alarms and keep every
thing in order This patrol duty performed Tor SIX con-
secutye hOurs, with frequent reports TO the engine
house, is another important element OF eilclency.
10 inc foregoing tne % & u tat on mem ~
eeptiOnal department., the machinery ana apartments
IN goSa graeT Sna saS m ib tbS, rhs
from the stable ana harntssed 10 the
engine and tender aud the men were ready TO start for
the fire within IS seconds from the sounding of tho
alarm" The Citizens Committee have only one change
recommend in the management OF the Departments,
and that is that al the supplies Of the Department noe
purchased by contract should be purchased by supply
Commissioners OF Charities aud Correction purchase
their supplies, instead of through one or more ore
plan which the Board propose 10 Introduce INTO
the department namely the Cadet or Apprentce system.
BY this ~ stem the expense OF the force VIII De
and the efciency, al the same time increased ny bhns
educating young in the duty of hreneD Inc CoI-
mttee heartily commend the change proposed Dy the
Commissioners Of reorganizing the Department above
Twenty-thrdst upon basis which VIII allow 70 eacn
company full pay OF remen, and who pcr-
form continuous duty and also eight AUXILIARY men VINO
$500 year. and who 10 sleep at the En-
gneHouses and attend all fires but are TO possess hs
privilege OF pursuing their ayocatons at points conss
nen 20 the houses The Committee OF opinion thas
IL should not be obligatory upon the Commissioner. :.
pay the maximum OF 1900 per annlm Tor nrenei pus
that should be left their discretion pay such ea
win the possessing tEe requisite quail
1catons the Committee further regrettng that me
Commissioners are authorized by law TO decrease me
pay s70o.000 express the opinion mat
the Commissioners had penay power they cou4d reduce
the Departments expenses " $4,000.