Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-09-01
The Fire Department.

OFFICIAL VISIT AND TEST ALARM.
Yesterday afternoon, Aldermen Hine, Davis,
and Champion, and Councilmen Robertson and
Piper, Of the committees on Fire Department.
having accepted an invitation from the Chief
Engineer (Alr. George Holmes) to visit the EN-
gne houses, they left the City Hall about 4
O'Clock, In pleasant vehicle, for that purpose.
Inc mouse OF Columbia, (Jas. Lowe, foreman
Wa tne niststopping place, and the visitors here
nouced that there is want of furniture in the
sleeping room, and that the stables being in the
basement, are difficult Of access; the horses
having to be brought up hill when an alarm is
struck. South Washington, No. 4, formerly
Known as the Ssyles y. Bowen, No. ~ was next
VISITED, and the visitors were met by foreman
in fine order. Franklin No. ?. was the next
place .to go to-" and soon Charlie Hurdle
was showing the visitors over the house.
1t was noticed that in the sleeping apart
ment the walls hsd been disfgured by cuts
rom the thea posters, and the roof near the
cupola leaky. There is q want OF chairs, and
bles were found to be close and lily ventilated.
The apparatus, horses, harness, &C.. were found
In good order, and IL was remarked that under
the circumstances the foreman and his men de-
serve much credit. Union, No. ., was next WIS.,
lied, and the party were met by DIR. Baldwin.
one OF the commissioners, and Foreman Paris
Inc rear wall OF the yard was found llapidated,
the gate broken, the flooring in the stalls i'm
need OF repair, bed clothes and furniture need
ed, and the roof was found to be leaky. The
apparatus was found to be in fine order. Me-
roPohtan truck-house was the next point, and
the party were soon there. where they were
received by Foreman Kirby. An old time
lose reel was first shown, and the neces
sliy OF new hose carriage urged. In the
stable, Chief Engineer Holmes called attention.
TO the broken wind of the horse =. ,John- and
the scratches of " Chauncey., The rear build
irg was found to be somewhat Ciilapidatei and
on entering the sleeDing apartment, which was
formerly the model IN the department for ne,t-
ness, &c, the bedsteads were found to ba rick-
ETY., the bedding torn and coverlids seedv AMI
there was sad lack of furniture Mr. Kirby
was instructed, as were the other foremen To
prepare list Of what is needed with estims Ate
and furnish IL to the chief.
Ihe round having been completed the party
were driven to the corner OF A. street and
pennsylvania avenue, when an alarm was
turned In for box 81, and a general alarm was
Immediately struck. The companies of the
department. appeared on the ground as follows:
south w Washington, No. 4-Hose carriage arrived
IN minutes 10 seconds; engine, 5 minutes -
SECONDS, ana water was on in II minutes Is
seconds. Columbia, No. 3-Hose carriape ar
rived In go; engine, 4.2D, and water was on in
minutes Hook and Ladder Truck-Arriysd in
i.l6. and the ladders were raised against tha
Colonization Building in $40. Franklin. No.
Hose carriage arrived in 42i; engine > min
utes, and water was on in 1918. Union No /
Hose carriage arrived in Gas; engine, SIS, and
water was on in ll.15
The promptness exhibited was heartily An
piauded by the members of the Committees anJ
The large nHInber of persons who had Gathered
I'D the vicinity OF the box, and many were astnn-
lsbed at tRe quick time made and the promnt
mess with which the apparatus was put in
service. PN' III