National Republican., 1875-12-01
1HIFrRE DEPARTMENT.
Annual Report Of the uomnissionsrs, chisi
Eneireer and srpsrintsndeut.

Annual Report Of the uomnissionsrs, Chisf
Engineer and Superintendent.
The twelfth annual report OF the Board OF Fire
| Commissioners Of the District Of Columbia, now
in the hands Of the District Commissioners, shows
| expenditures for the past year aggregsting $7e-
o97.5o. exclusive OF placing the new fire-slarm
telegraph In working order, and Including the
| purchase Of eight new horses. The report refers
to the removal Of the once of the board ana chief
engineer to more suitable room in the building
| adjoining the old fre-alarm office, more room
being required for the hre-alsrm telegraph. The
CONDITION OF the engine houses e next referred TO-
sna snc tns rsnoyal Of NO; eng engine % their new
| east, which is completely fitted out, and Is ad-
mirably adapted for the purposes for which it
| was built.
REPAIRS TO APPARATUS.
Extensive changes and repairs have been made
to No. boiler, engine and pumps-the only re-
pairs needed in flVe years service. Engine No.
boilers Of engines i, and are completely worn
out BY the hard service they have performed dur.
ing the past eleven years, and must be replaced
BY new ones, otherwise the department VIII only
| have two reliable steam ire engines in service.
This is very serious matter for your considera-
ton, and unless immediate attention Is given It,
the results may be disastrous. These boilers have
been repaired from time to time, but cannot be
depended on for duty, and must be discarded"
class condition so necessary. Printys automatic
relief valves and shut-ofnozzles have been placed
viceable by reducing damage from water.
Heaters which keep the water in the boilers at
pGf nass ne Usen ss on te n
use, and new suction sleeves have been placed
on all the engines. The hose carriages require
10 considerable repairs. There are two old style
book.and-ladder trucks in use. which run to all
hres in the District and consequently constant
repairs have been necessary to keep them in SER
vice. The truck is q most valuable piece Of appa-
ratus and Is required in nearly every case of ire.
Eight horses have been purchased during the
md fnu eha afa raFA Akm
department is In good condition. No new hose
has been purchased, but aconsiderable quantity
board urges the increase OF the number OF fre
plugs, and noting that some have 9-Inch and
others oinch outlets, urge that all be fitted with
the 10-inch outlet.
THE COAL OIL NUISANCE.
They call attention to the storage Of large
quantities of gaseous oils and alcoholic liquors
in the business sections and densely Inhabited
parts OF the District, 10 utter disregard for the
safety of property. Also to the frequent alarms
of IRE occasi0Ded by accidents from the use of
coal oil. The low price az which an Inferior
the poor especially 10 use It. Many careless per-
sons purchase it, and the result is constant re-
life. Some stringent law regarding these mat
tiers should be enacted"
INCREASED APPLIANCEs
The FIRE commissioners state that they would be
that two additional engine companies Be CON. COM
pletely equipped for serYice-one In the northern
and the other in the northeastern section of the
city, and that an additional hook and ladder COM
pany be equipped with the best modern improved
apparatus, in the western part Of the city. In
support of these recommendations they call atten-
ton to Hthe yastlyincreased limits OF the i'm
proved portions of the District within the past
eight years and the considerable number OF rows
Of houses erected and in course Of erection, with
NAEsARD ROOFS,
which are not only very dangerous iu character,
but have heretofore been almost unknown in his
District With the increased needs ofthe Dis
engines, but on the other hand there are not SO
many In service as formerly. Eight years ago, in
steam are engines resnondeS to aiaSms VIII thsi.
apparatus and aided to extinguish the fires. Ex-
perience here and in other cities shows the neces-
sity of having full at least SUFFICIENT fire force
to provide protection not only against small fires
but extensive confagrations. With our present
as two fires widely distant occurring simuitane.
ously, or the one Immediately succeeding the
other; or large fire In thickly built portion Of
the District during heavy storm OF wind.
ESTIMATES.
The board submit estimates for the year ending
June 90, 1871 as follows: Salaries, S54 T33; re-
building steamers No. l. and g. 50 600; repairs to
$40 900; repairs to other houses 81 5oO horse feed
S5, 500; supplies miscellaneous $500; fuel and
gas, g, ,5ooi harness and repairs to same, $500;
expenses Of ire-alarm, &3 Oo0.new hose and coup
lngs, $4,000. Total, sl0s, ,422 Also, estimates
lor tne proposed aoaltonal ccmpanies-tWo en-
etne ard one hook dder-Gooting 3,075.
CHIEF RNeINEER's REPORT.
The report Of Mr.. Martin Cronin, the chief en-
gineer, shows:
Number Of alarms 1915 false, for chimneys,
test and 133 for fires that involved total al.
legged loss OF s67 900, with insurance of $50 0Oo
This shows an increase of % alarms over the pre-
Tious year, and, compared with the average of /
the past ten years Of 50. The alleged loss shows
decrease Of So, 400 as compared with last year,
and with the average of ten years, eS2 509
The Chief urges the establishment OF additional |
cOmDaniee. refers to the condition of the hOusas
apparatus, stock, &c; states that the force con-
sists OF chief assistant chief and ftynine off,
GERS and men; and compliments the force on their
success as 1.-THE hres havo never spread, notwith-
standing the worn-out condition Of the appara-
tus, and refers to the assistance rendered the |
department by the metropolitan police APP
pended is q statement showing the number Of |
fires and Losses for the past eleven years. aver
aging 95 fires and Sl4l,ei5 per year.
FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH.
The report of Mr.. II. R. Miles, superintendent |
OF maintaining the telegraph, exclusive Of the |
salaries paid fits commissioned officers has not |
been 5000, but does not include fitting up the |
new office or taking down the old wire, but only
the legitimate expense Of repairs, maintaining |
batteries, &c. For the ensuing year, owing to the
increased amount Of battery, (about four-fold,) /
and fully double the quantity Of wire to be kept
In repair IS 600 will be required. He asks that an
additional operator be provided, stating that no Il
two persons can perform the labor Imposed on the
operators without impairing their health: and as
measure Of relief he had detailed repairman L
OF sufncent skill for duty In the oiice and had Il
done the largest share Of repairing himself but i
With the Increased length OF wire, &c. the necss /
sty Of An operator is Imperative.