The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-30
BROOKLYy PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT..


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How II was OrSanized-Vhat tho Commits.
sioncrs Have Been Doing aud What Ii In
Prospective.
Noth,ng can be more conducive to the feeling OF
security winch should pervade community with
regard 70 the means available for extnguishng con-
nagrations than well organized and disciplined Ore
department. IL 10 not then, to be wondered that
Brooklyn after having for the past few years expe-
renced the insulrciency OF the Old volunteer sys-
tenn and. witnessed the success which attended the
workings OF the paid department IN New York. should
look forward with much satisfaction to the permanent
establishment or the new fire regime In their midst
During the session OF the Legislature Of 1878
most strenuous efforts were made by Mr. Joseph
Reeve and other prominent republican politicians OF
Brooklyn to get paid department bill through but
without success, when, az sort OF compromise
between reorganization and the volunteer rule,
Board OF Estimates and Disbursements was appointed
by act OF the Legislature, which took the power OF
supervision in all matters OF expenditure for the
department out OF the hands OF the Common Coun.
Gil, In which body the matter had heretofore been
vested. The Board Of Estimates and Disbursements
was composed OF the Mayor Street Commissioner,
Comptroller and the Chief Engineers OF the Eastern
and Western Districts While they remained In
power they managed to expend more than 500 600
precedng-and this proved strong argumen, for
presentment BY the advocates OF paid lire depart
ment In tue Legislature OF 1sos-9.
THE PAID SYSTEM
was authorized by act Of the last Legislature, the
bill Tor which was introduced by ex-Assem biy man
source IL provides Or the selection of four citizsns
OF Brooklyn TO serve as Fire Commissioners, which
was accomplished on the 22d OF May, the appointing
power being invested BY law In Mayor Kalbieisch,
Comptroller Johnson Street Commissioners Fuery
Alderman BERGEN, President OF the Common Coun-
Gil, ana the City Treasurer
THE COMMISSIONERS
who are all more or less experienced In fire matters,
CHOSEN President Of the Board. is young and ener-
getlc man. He was formerly foreman OF Pacific En-
CINE Company No. II OF the Western District, and Is
Treasurer OF the widows ana Orphans Fund OF the
volunteer organization.
Hugh Mclaughlin, who fllls the ONCE OF treasurer.
served his time with No. Engine Company. he
represented tue Second ward la the Board OF Alder.
men, anu was more recently appointed Assistant
soon after.
Anthony Campbell, ex-sherIr of Kings county has
had much experience as a fireman, having filed the
position OF foreman OF Hose Companies No. and 0,
Western District, at various times. Mr.. Campbell. :
who mas been Postmaster OF Brooklyn Is at present
member or the Waabout Commission.
William a. Brown was member Of Eastern
District Hose Company No :. He Is regarded as a
very Intelligent man. and formerly filed the Office
Of CLERK OF Justice VOORHEES, court, Williamsburg.
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.
Underth volunteer organization there were nifty
apparatuses oil told IN use between the two districts,
To man which were enrolled ABOUT three Thousand
men. Several OF the engines, hose carriages, Sc.,
was general decay noticeable throughout the houses
IN which they were kept One Of the arst acts OF the
panes one-laf. tour OF inspection OF the depart
ment property was made. Which elected most
All the houses with the exception OF three we're found
to be In q diiapdated condition. In one instance
10 almost understandable, nsswithstandins the fact
that IN the October previous the Board OF Aldermen
hers as no e IN sSos
pended. Some other houses were found to be ocCu
pied as whiskey manufactures, political club rooms,
and even as assignaton houses These outrageous
abuses were at once corrected and are not likely to
again crop out to Disgrace the community.
IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT
the houses Of engines Nos. 6, Z and Is have been
fitted with staoles and the engines altered so that
the change can be made from hand pulling to horses
at very snort notice. The house OF No. Engine
corner OF Even and Wyckou Streets has been en-
larged 30 as to take IN hook and ladder, which
that negh6orhood. a truck company WITH also BE-
established III the house Of Hose Company No. 4,
orr the nss nave been
Hook and Ladder Company. Each OF the latter
companies Will Dc furnished with nose teudor and
hose.
CAUSE OF THE DELAY IN ORGANIZING
the non.iulnlment Of the contracts for apparatus
by the A.ierton Iron Works OF Naugatuck, Conn.,
who contracted Tor altering engines Nos. I, 2, g. g.
T. O. TO- a. 10 and 22 OF the Western District, to be
run by horses, and for furnishing new tenders, ac
soners in this respect. Had the contract been car.
RED out in time they would have been ready on the
18th OF August. repair shop has been opened in
Hampden street. near Myrtle avenue. The house Of
Engine Company NO. 8, In Canton street, opposite
Fort Greene, has been furnished as o hospital for
diseased horses, and tho upper door IL q harness
shop The amount OF funds placed by law OF the
disposition OF The Board for the first year being but
$4,000 thereafter the annual allowance will be
$250000) Is not sufficient to admit OF oil the improve
ments desired, and strict economy has been found
absolutely necessary In oil matters OF expenditure
The headquarters OF the Board are In the house OF
Engine Company No. H. 2S5 jay street, which is
neatly lifted for that purpose. The
APPOINTMENTS
made thus far are as follows:-CaspIan A. Sparks,
secretary; John Cunningham CHIEF engineer Of the
city, and John W. Smith. assistant chief. Both en-
pineer5 are men of many years OF active member.
ship 10 the Fire Department., and have each filed
the Offices OF chief OF the western and Eastern Dis
trcts. There are 400 applications now on 1le with
the secretary Tor positions under the new regime
while the total force required this year Is only ZOO
These appointments viii be flied September l.
THE UNIFORM
will be blue clo pure indigo dye) coats and pants,
blue flannel shirts rom loremen down, and white
Will be similar 10 the United states navy regulation
fatigue. The buttons, OF three sizes German silver
Will bear the initials ''B. r. D." Each member will
wear q badge German silver also, The rates OF
waves will approximate with those OF New York;
Foreman, $l,300 assistant foreman, 81, 100; engt-
neer, 1000; nremen, $1,000.
A PARADE
ana review OF the departments will take place as
soon as practicable. when the public Will be treated
with an opportunity OF witnessing the force and OF
future will be custodlans OF the motto, 1--WE brave
the clements to succor the distressed
FIR; IN HUDSON AVENUE. BROOKLYN