National Republican., 1876-11-17
THE COVNISSIONER'S ANNUAL REPORT
WORK DONE IN THE PAST YEAR
TIE PRESENT CONDITION OF The SERVICE
NEW APPARATUS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
TWO NEW ENGINES ARE WANTED
ESTIMATES FOB THE CURRENT YEAR

The annual report of the Board of Fire Com
missioners with the reports of Chief Engineer
Cronin and Superintendent II. R. Miles, of the
fires alarm telegraph, were submitted to the
Commissioners Of the District yesterday. The
following is an abstract of the reports
The period embraced in the report Is from
the 18th of November, 1875, to she 18th of
November, 1876. The expenses ofthe depart
ment for the year were 500, ,169 %, embracing
salaries of officers and men, purchase of
new engine, now hose, additional horses, re-
building and repairs of ofengines and apparatus,
and general expenses of the fire department
proper and the expenses of the fire alarm tele-
graph.
Extensive repairs have been made to No.
engine house, and the new improvements in
troduced make it very complete. The CON-
missioners recommend that the other houses
be improved in like manner.
The apparatus consists of four second-class
"Amoskeag" steam fire engines, one "Silby"
second-class rotary engine and one "Clapp &
Jones" second class engine, seven four-wheeled
hose carrisges and one o'd-style hook and
ladder truck, all Of which have been kept up to
the best state of repair. Engines Nos. /, 2
and have been thoroughly rebuilt and re-
paired by Mr.. John McClelland, of this city,
and are now in perfect order. The hose car
riages are in good order, hut the hook and
ladder truck has been subjected to so much
wear, being required to respond to all alarms
of fire, as 10 be in reed Of constant repair.
The Recommendation for a new truck In adii-
tion to the present one is renewed. OF the
Walton hose $500 Ieet has been purchased,
and gives good satisfaction. Six new horses
have been purchased. The number now owned
by the department is twenty-eight; four of
them are old, have been a long time In ser
vice, and need to be replaced. Attention is
again called to the practice of storing in the
densely- populated portions of the city large
quantities of gaseous oils and alcoholic liquors,
which should be prohibited under heavy penal
ties.
INCREASE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The board again urge as an absolute neces-
sity the increase of the service by the estab-
lishment of two additional engine companies,
completely equipped for service, one for the
northern and one for the northeastern section
of Washington. Also, new style hook. and
ladder truck, manned and ready for use, to be
located in the western part of Washington.
Attention Is called to the fact that during the
past eight years there has been large in
crease in the number of buildings, and that the
character of these buildings is such as to make
fire occurring in them more formidable than
in the former style of structures, while there
has not been proportionate increase in the
department. Attention is invited to the ac-
companying reports of the superintendent of
the fire alarm telegraph and the chief engineer
of the department. Both of these officers are
eulogized, as are also the other officers and the
men Of the department.
ESTIMATES.
The following are the estimates for the ex-
penditures Of the department for the next
year Salaries, s55, ,723; repairs to apparatus,
5000; repairs and Improvements to houses,
So, 800: horse feed, s., 500; miscellaneous sup
plies, IS 500; fuel and gas, g., ,500 harness and
repairs to harness, 81, 900; farrier and laundry
expenses, 81 900; expenses fre-alarm tele
graph, s., 900. Total, S73,S23.
Estimates of cost of proposed addition to
present force, viz: Two engine companies
equipped and one hook-and-l ladder company
equipped.
ENGINE COMPANIES.
One house and lot, $4,000; one engine,
5000; one se-carriage, S700; four horse
81 200; harness, $3.50; hose, 81 400; fitting
up house, 81 500; total cost of first company,
S22, $50; add for second company, S22, $50;
total cost Of two engines ready for service,
$4,000.
HOOK AND LADDER.
One house and lot, Sl3, 900; one improved
truck, 5000; two horses, 5000; harness, SIS:
fitting up house, 81 500; total cost of three
proposed companies, S63,07
The reports of the chief engineer and SUPER
intendent of the fire alarm telegraph are
mainly an elaboration of the subject matter Of
the report of the commissioners.