Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-08-13
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL N EWS,

BOAhP W BON BRS-ThP hoard
Of Fire Commissioners held a meeting at their
room, No 8, west wing Of the City Hall, las,
evening, Mayor Bowen presiding, and an the
members present, with W. H Stewart.
Mr.. Thompson reported, from the COMMITTEES
en- the monthly reports of foremen, a Summary
after each foreman CLASSIFY his recein,, ana
expenditures also state the prices of ALI articles
received. and the amount Of articles on hand an
adopted. ""'
communication was received from W. O.
wood attorney for Cole Brothers steam fire
engine builders Of Pawtucket, r. l.. enclosing
paper signed by TWENTY-FIVE prominent citi-
zens, urging the Board TO encourage compe-
nuou and trial between engine builders. The
letter OF Mr.. Wood says" II could have the
assurance OF your honorable board that merit
VIII be fully and Justly considered as an in
oucenent Tor your patronage, we will bring to
This city, at such time as You may designate,
one OF the Cole engines, and present it in oper-
Anon Tor your personal inspection"
Also, a letter of J. III. Larcombe, Superinten-
dent Fire Alarm, (which appeared in the STAR
OF Saturday asking an Investigation into the
cases OF the fres on the 5th instant and 10Th
July Also, the following:
WASHINGTON, August II, 1s6S.-To the Board
~ fIrs C0nmtsstORsrs, dc.--Gentlemen 1t is
proper that should. at an early day, indicate
10 you an approximation to or estimate OF the
expenses for conducting the fire alarm tele-
graph for the year Just entered upon.
Perhaps no public officer ever entered upon
these duties and so deprived of all data, all ac-
counts, all history of the previous workings of
his office as have in this office
found in the office no accounts "a hooks
except the simple register of alarms,) nothing
nj all towards making a history of the ONCE:
consequently, IL becomes exceedingly difficult
OF repairs required. and have taken prompt
measures 10 put the wires in thorough repair
The expenses Of repairs for the current wear
cannot fall far short of $500. Fuel, stationery,
no
To be efficient, the telegraph must be in per-
feet repair and the batteries well kept up
That kind of economy which crippies the
workings of the telegraph will prove ruinous
10 our city.
Allow me to say a word in relation TO the
persons appointed as operators. They are new
10 the position, but will, feel confident be all
thar can be wished. feel no hesitation in
asking at your hands con sideration for them
IN view OF the fact OF being trust into a posi-
ton where everything was dIsiointed under
the confident expectation that the working of
The telegraph would be utterly iInpracticable
and when the boast was made openly that no
man could succeed 1 have no doubt at all
about their giving satisfaction.
Yours, respectfully, j. II. LARCONBR,
Supt Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Messrs. johnson, Thompson, and Goodall
Were appointed 10 make the in vestigation asked
Chief Engineer W. ID. Elwood reported that
he had been informed that property had been
improperly removed from some of the engine
the matter be investigated
Mtssrs. Goroutt and Goodall were appointed
The superintendent Of the fire.alarn, ts,e
graph suggested that the keys of fire-alarm
boxes be changed, as there were many boxes
cut OF order: and he was ordered to carry out
the suggestion, in conjunction with Mr.. Good
Mr.. johnson moved that Chief EIwood fur
nlsh the Board with list of the men he de-
SIres 10 have appointed as members of the fire
ur.4 Il 81 fha anna Ia
IL z on eesday evening next, at Z O'Clock, 10
which time the Board ad iourned
Durng the meeting Nh. Thompson inquired
q ue Chlef Engineer by what authority the
colOred hOstler of No. 2 Company, Tom Bowie
had been reinstated after he had been con yicted
IN the Criminal Court and sentenced 10 Jail,
ana PROCEEDED 10 speak OF Bowie as a man who
was notorious, having been convicted aud sem
fenced 10 the Albany penitentiary. Mr. Thomp-
son exhibited an abstract OF the PROCEEDINGS of
the Court showing that fact.
Mr. Elwood replied that Bowie had proved
himself efficient in the posirid1, but that in re-
ILs'aiIng him he had acted under the advice of
the MAYOR.
Nj. Bowen remarked that he had recommend
"a MS reinstatement, and thought that he had
ground 10 do so, the Court having discharged
Nun on the payment Of q fine, and the offense
which would initiate against his reinstate-
ment.
Mr. Gorbutt deprecated the appointment of
any eolored men in the department, for in his
opinion white and eolored would not affiliate
together and he would sooner see a white de-
partment composed Of Republicans than one
IN which single position is held by colored
men.
Mr.. Bowen replied that under the law color
was not qualification, and that the colored
man having proved valiant in war, and
patriotic and loyal, he was entitled TO such
positions as he was qualified to fill.
Upon MI Ellwood stating that he had bae n
informed OF the removal OF a set of harness,
pictures, &C. by some OF the old members Mr.
thompson denied that any thing had been re-
moved by them but W hat they had right ito,
and claimed that these were presents in many
instances He doub ted the right Of the Chief
10 be present al the meetings, and words ensued
between him and Mr.. Ellwood
Mr.. johnson held that Mr. Ellwood had a
night 20 be present, ard Messrs. Bowen and
Goodal concurred with him. He (Mr J1
moved a committee be appointed to Investi-
gate the charges, which was agreed 70, as above
stated.
a conversation took place on the proper
ahneatIons of men for permanent positions,
and there was also some disagreement between
Messrs- Thompson and Ellwood. From this
conyersatlon II was evident that all the COM
mlssloners are In favor of appointing none but
efficient men, and that as No. company 10
composed of men who have been In the depart
Inent since It's organization, no changes will be
made IN IL.