Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-07-21
Condition and Wants of the Fire De-
{ ID .FtmeUf.

Yesterday the new Board of Fire Commission
ers submitted report to the Governor to the
condition and wants of the department. They
state that engines, hose carriages and other ap-
paratus are in good working order, with the ex-
cePton Of steamers Nos. and 3, which require
extensive repairs. The houses are in good repair
with the exception of the truck house on Nassa
chusetts avenue, now undergoing extensive re-
pairs ordered by the late board. The horses are
In good condition, and well calculated for hard
service, with the exception of those purchased
by the late board Tor engine No. 1, which are
entirely too young, and are not calculated to
perform the peculiar work required of them, on
account OF their tender age. The expenditures
of the department from The date of its oryaniza-
ton to the 31st of May, 1871, were: For the first
Hsea year, ending June 3d. 1865, S39, s49.43; L66,
so, 4s3 e2 1870, s61 1882; eleven months ending
May 81, 1871, $50 1854.
COST OF THE DEPARTMENT..
1t cost the ely for the first five years to main
tain the paid fire department, from the date OF
dts organization, S1S3 ,012.77 or an annual aver
age cost of S36, 602.55; annual average cost for
each company, S9, 1904. There was also in e
istence, within the period of time as above
stated, three steam fire engine companies, indie
pendent and separate from the city fire DEPART
nIent, known As the Government Fire Brigade
which rendered Invaluable service at all fires.
It cost the general government to maintain the
fire brigade for five years, S156,O The aver
age annual cost was s31, 2O5. The average au-
nual cost OF each company was S10.40l. Ii will
be seen from the foregoing figures that il cost
the city and the United States government TO
MAINTAIN an efficient fire department for a
period of five years, 1889 ,037I7 average annual
cost, So ,S .55; average annual cost to maintain
each company, 80, GS6.65.
ANOTHER ENGINE NEEDED.
The United States fire brigade was disbanded
in the year 1863, since which time the CITY has
depended upon its own fire department The
withdrawal Of the Government engines from this
city left only three to perform all the duty which
had before been performed by six, and that too
III city covering an area of more than seven
square miles, and containing more than $4,000
houses. 1t Is true that one engine has since been
added to the number, making four (and only
Iour) now in use. The board can not too strong
~ commend the proposed buildng of a house
and purchasing of an engine, TO meet the hourly
increasing necessities OF the northwestern por-
ton OF the city. In winter and tire spring sea
Ors OF the year 1t is Almost il not quite impos-
slble to reach that locality from the distant en-
glne st-tions now existing in time II save burn
ing properly. There has recently been and is
Row being, millions OF dollars expended in the
erection OF magnificent and costly private resi-
dences in the northern part OF the city, to saw
nothing OF the State Department, Louise Home,
Howard University, and the many BUILDINGS
contiguous thereto all of which call for increased
facilities for protection from fires, su oh as would
be afforded by the establishment of a company
on or beyond the high grounds north of street.