The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-10

ments OF the service or by exercising and practising
themselves in the use OF such appliances as they
In use are for The most part heavy unwiedy ana
announcement IN the extreme; and what Is still more
point precisely the same as those first made many
years ago. IL was impossible to doubt that the
builders who originally showed SO much ingenuity
IN the design and construction OF their machines
would have been able 10 alter them to suit the
requirements OF the service had they been properly
advised by practical persons as to what those require
ments were; bnt it appeared to him that the intro
ducon OF politics into the fire department, partcu-
lary IN the selection OF their principal executive ON
GERS, has been the means OF preventing many o. tue
most Intelligent and promising members from
remaining IN charge long enough ~ acquire sucp
enable them to point out to the makers OF their appli
ances what was really wanted, and 70 instruct their
men In the use OF them when made. II was perhaps
GERS or, as they are called chief engineers
of most OF the American fire departments,
not promoted, and that political influence is
commonly paramount In the elections. In some
towns the chief and his assistants were appointed
by the mayor, and this was probably the better
mode Of the two; but In whichever way they OBJ
tanned their places the appointments generally were
only temporary, and varied in duration from one TO
about three years, according to local arrangements.
1t was hardly to be believed that in the midst OF
important department, requiring considerable
amount OF skill and special training, should be
obliged every year to enter into competition with
his own suDordinates and Others and either to stand
continued fresh elections or to lose his place. Such
was however, the case and the effect OF
the system is OF course fatal to the adj
vancement Of the professional work OF the fire
departments, Nothing could exceed the cordial and
friendly nature OF his intercourse with the municipal
au hOrties. boards OF fire commissioners and execu
tive officers OF the fire departments wherever ne
went, and in reply to their inquiries ne had been
compelled to state his opinion freely that although
he considered them perfectly justified In Boosting OF
any institution IN which oil concerned take a very
Political partlsans at the head Of any institution
they pleased, he could see no possible Justification
for combining the two; on the contrary that they
wished to boast they would have TO abandon their
political appointments or II they WIS he'd TO continue
their elections they would have to cease boasting
He had also told them that he had found among
the chiefs some useful, active and intelligent men,
but that, SO lar as ne could Judge. those men mad
sns % en no Us inc put
those opinions he had not heard so much dis
sentient voice. He had, therefore, on the WHOLE
come to the conclusion that the present system was
doomed and would be one day altered; and when
that day came he had doubt that the great ingenuity
70 bear on the machinery and appliances OF the fire
departments, and would have the almost immediate
effect Of raising them from their present dead level
and weighty machinery and appliances drawn about
by large numbers OF horses, and worked by enor-
nous bodies Of men, but II could hardly be supposed
that the cities would long continue to supply funds
for the payment OF heavy expenses rendered neces-
sary chiefly by the want OF skill and practice on
the part OF those concerned 10 was very
singular and nnaccountahle fact that the
Americans, IN their admiration for steam fire
engines. mad forgotten or ignored the use OF hand
worked engines and had abolished them altogether
thus absolutely depriving themselves OF the means
OF instantly eXtnguishing fires at their own doors,
and so leaving themselves in this particular point
far behind the most backward nations OF Europe.
He mad asked In every city why tins had been done,
but lie had not received az much as ono reply giving
the slightest reason; on the contrary, the answer
generally was that hand engines were OF no use-a
statement quite without meaning in the face OF the
TACT that some OF the principal cities OF the world
still entirely protected Dy them. He was clearly OF
opinion that no city OF any description, and more
particularly no large mercantile city, should
manual or handwOrked engines should very
largely predominant in number, and that, as
general rule, every station containing
steam engine should be provided with at least one
to work In about thirty seconds by one man. whereas
1t Is almost impossible to get steam engine to work
III less than three or four minutes from the receipt
OF call even when there are plenty Of hands pre-
both kinds paid and voluntary formed Oh military
basis, being composed OF q number OF bodies called
companies, to great extent Independent OF each
other; making their own promotions separately, but,
on, under superior head. This seemed to be
understood by all concerned, and TO work, on the
whole, rather well; but he was convinced that
military organization was badly adapted for such a
cheney would result from substituting his simple
organization for theirs. He admired beyond mea-
sure the pride and enthusiasm OF the Americans about
all the institutions, and III Sc among the rest; and
many subjects for criticism to q professional OBJ
server. he was bound TO say that in many Of the
principal cities they were much improved OF late
years. and the spirit which seemed to animate all
concerned was one which. under altered circum
stances must lead them to eventual success.
He should never be weary OF speaking with most
sincere ana heartfelt gratitude Of the great kindness
and consideration he mad met with on his journey.