The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-18
ENalNEER's OFFICE.
Hiram Harris, stationery. y.............s O25
STREETS.

James Power, gravel. ...............s % 81
Adopted.
The Special Committee on the Fire Depart.
ment, to whom was referred the communlca-
| ton from the Board of Firemesters, IN refer
ence to the better payment of the Fire Depart
ment, and also the resolution offered BY Alder
man Geddings on the same subject, respect
fully report, that efter careful examination
they find that the Fire Department cannot be
supported by the pay that they now receive,
and in order that the Council and the commu-
nifty may understand fully the condition OF the
Department, and its expenses heretofore, o
recapltulatlon OF its expenses, and compar1-
son with the expenses of Fire Departments
elsewhere, will not be inappropriate. Previous
to the year 1860 the expense Of the Fire De-
partment OF this city averaged about SIC, 0,0OO
per ann 1m, with no steamers, which are more
| expensive than the hand engines, and far more
valuable. The volunteer companies furnished
and the members of the Department being for
the most part in fair condition financially, gave
literally from their own means. at the termi-
nation of the war the Department was so
much damaged, that the city found it neces-
sary to aid the companies with loans Of money,
and donations OF hose and hose reels, and the
expense Of the Department reached SEQ, 900
for the year terminating May, 1867. The e1-
pense to the city for the year ending May,
1868, amounted to $4,000, $4,000 OF which was
Tor pay for engineers for seven steamers, and
but $3.50 for pay for services, portion OF
which went to the city engines, which amount
was totally inadequate to pay the current ex-
company largely in debt. The amount receiY-
ed for services is not paid to the members OF
the companies, but is devoted to the paying
OF repairs and expenses Of engines and hose.
In the plan now proposed it IS intended that
the entire pay shall be devoted to the keeping
IN order the entire Department, and out of it
all new hose and apparatuses to be paid for by
the VOLUNTEER companies and not to be divided
among Its members for time or services. 1t is
hardly just that the members of the Fire De-
partment should give their time and services
free OF charge, and, in addition, be taxed to
support the department. Other cities furnish
their departments with all apparatuses and
equipments and pay all expenses.
n. Inc following table will show the cost OF the
Fire Departments in their respective places:
Mobile, steamers, a; hand engines, 8;
hook and ladder, 1................. $40, 700
Boston, % for services exclusive Of ex-
Pensee.. ......................9 ~, 10
Baltimore 9; for services exclusive Of ez-
penses. 80, ;:..,...............:..;.... $4,000
:. expenses. -. $4,000
:, expenses. .256, 500
expenses. ..........-..... 52,242
expenses ). 49,. ............:....... a, ,so6
penses. s...........'................... :. 4G,5ss
Charleston, Il and city engines, inclu-
dung outlay for hose and hose reels,
cleaning wells, DC. Observation-Disclosures. $4,000
Average expense of each apparatus IN
Charleston, 81, 900 per annum.
OF apparatus in other cities, s6246.
The cost Of maintaining each steamer and
keeping it in order is from $500 to $4,000
per annum, exclusive OF engineers; of hand en-
gines about $500; of hook and ladder ccmpa-
nies $1,000. Which will not allow for refur-
nishing hose and apparatuses.
The committee recommend that bill be
prepared, and that the pay for the volunteer
Fire Department Of Charleston be as follows:
Seven steamers, at 5000 s21, 900
Five hand, at $500. 0........... 5000
Two hook and ladder companies, 800. 5000
s8s,Ooo
Pay of chief, clerk and pump contrac-
IoI' .......... S1,9aU
odn