Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-01


d. sCIrLINE-RlRE ALARNs--NkW UNIFORMS,
ETC.
A special meeting of the board Of are corn
mis<ioners W as held last evening, and Mr.. Baker
presented the evidence in the ease OF Chas:
Mann, of the Hook and Ladder Co., charged
with violating the rules on two OCCASIONS and
reeommended that he be reprimanded;
Mr.. Smith offered a resolution requiring the
fremen of the respective companies TO report to
the board Of commissioners the names and causes
OF absence OF all fremen who failed to attend
the fire at the National Theater; adopted.
Also, resolution directing the committee on
rules to inquire into the conduct of affairs Of the
Hook and Ladder company, and report what
cheney; adopted
Also, resolution that the committee on
telegraph inquire into the feasibility Of Pur-
chasing larger alarm gong for No. company
PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRE
ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Mr.. Miles, superintendent of the fire alarm
telegraph, presented q communication he had
addressed to General Chapman. stating that the
wires now used by the telegraph had been put
common black wire, which Is totally unreliable
on account of its long use and the chemical and
atmospheric effects upon 1t. The boxes now
in number, which had been discarded in every
city in the Union, and he considered that In
view OF the vastly increased population and
wealth Of the District the system should be en-
with the most approved apparatus and wire.
This could be done at a cost of $50 900. Satisfied
that the interests Of the general government,
whose property is so extensive, would prompt
them to and In such project, he had addressed
the letter setting forth the facts tt General
Chapman with the request that he ask an apprO-
amount necessary for the work, the understand
ing being that an alarm box be placed at each
OF the government buildings, twenty-five in
number.
Mr.. Barker moved that the board endorse the
communication, and that the committee on teie-
graph, with Mr. Miles, present the communica-
ton to eneral Chapman.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
MT: McDevitt moved that the committee on
supplies inquire into the subject of carpeting
the fire. alarm office; adopted.
the purchase of set of harness for the fuel
cart and that the cart be put into service i'm
mediately; adopted.
ALARM BELLS
Mr.. Booker moved that the alarm bell at the
truck house be removed to No. 2 house, as also
the striking apparatus from the 18th street
Baptist church. provided that the same be done
without expense to the department. He had
been informed that Mr.. Sinclair, the engineer
OF No. 2, would see to the putting up Of the bell
The chief engineer thought the building No.
that the best plan would be to build belfry in
the yard of the 18th street Baptist church,
Mr.. McDevitt had doubts as to the proprietv
OF using large bells. The fremen are Informed
by the gongs, and the public being notified by
the large bells, frequently there are so MANI
people at fires that the firemen are incommoded
At the theater fire, the property Of Miller and
Jones, through citizens moving doors, thereby
making an opening for the fiames, was more
damaged than it would have been
The subject was referred to the committee Oh
telegraph.
NEW UNIFORMS.
The committee on uniforms made a report
which was made the special order for meeting
70 be held on Monday evening next at O'Clock.
n nj fnrrt Nsasx- Ixc
sidered. A die for a button was adopted, with
the letters 'F. D., ID. c." The cap now used
by most of the privates was adopted for general
use. Mr.. Booker moved that the committee on
uniforms be instructed to select sample for
caps for the foremen of the department, which
was adopted, and the board adjourned.