Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-09-24
The District Fire Department.

The District Fire Department..
ANNUAL REPORT OF TIE COMMISSIONERS.
The fire board, In their report for the past
fiscal year submitted to the District Commits
stoners to-day, show expenditures during the
fiscal year ended June 80, $780, to have been
l09659.SS. The chief engineer and the SUPER
fntendeDt OF fire alarm. telegraph submit eSti-
Notes for the next fiscal year aggfGgating
$40 eco. The fire commissioners say: This
aggregate is somewhat larger than was allow ed
would be derelct IL our duty II we permitted
a1ly false notions OF economy TO prevent us
nom uniting with the executive officers OK the
tie department. in recommending the needed
improvements which they suggest. There Is
much responsibility attached TO the fire service
ard taking into consideration the great value OF
the buildings, both public and private, In Wash
fpgton and the extensive area over which they
are scattered, We can trUtnfully say that no
city In the country Is so inadequately supplied
with apparatus for the eXtfDgutshment o. fires
what we have Is good, but there is not enough
OF II. Tie force is efficient but not strong
CROUCH III numbers. Thus far we have fortu-
late y escaped any large CONGREGATIONS, but
the fate OF other cities far better equipped
should be warning TO U.s." 1.-The re-
concentrations or the Chief engineer for the
erection OF Few houses for companies numbered
and 5, ard Of new house In the northern
section OF the city are approved. The present
engine mouse or company might be utilized
Tor police station house. instead of renting, as
low, and suitable engine house built In
more IaNOfatle location.
The recommendation OF the Chief engineer
that the AmcSkeag engines. which have bean
so long in service, be exchanged for new ones is
approved. These engines require constant az
tehtion and expensive repairs, and as they can
not be expected TO last much longer we urge as
an economic measure that before they are en-
tirely worthless they be replaced. The rebuild
Ing Of the old truck Is also necessity. The
EoTseS purchased during the past year were
good ones and placed the department In fair
condition for means OF rapid transit; but 1t Is
necessary that there should always be an extra
lumber Of servtceable trained animals on hand
necessary fresh ones is estimated Tor The
lire alarm telegraph continues TO work in {,
satisfactory manner, but 1t i5 necessary that
some additional boxes should be erected In
several sections OF the District, as set forth IN
the accompany ing report OF the superintendent
Without proper water supply the services o.
Particular attention is therefore asked to shat
portion of the chief engineers report when
suggests the erection OF new and the change OF
old fire plugs; the increase In size OF water
mains, and the construction or cisterns In Ger.
tain exposed and tlly-suppIted sections or t0e
District.
Attention is again called to the fact that no
provision is made for members of the depart.
ment rendered unfit for active service by dis
ability incurred in the line OF duty We ar.
compelled to carry these men on the rolls Oh
health, and unable to make living for them
selves or families. We again recommend tnar
provision Be made for such men In other branc A. S
q me pubic service better suited TO the
physical condition. Where lnen are so far
broken In health or manned By accident as tC
be totally unfit for any duty whatever they
Should &c retired upon pay sufficient 70 keep
them comfortably during the continuance @.
their disability. There are men now on the
rolls who Will never be able to perform active
duty as firenen, and provision should be made
LOT them at once and their places on the force
filed by active men.
The general good conduct of the officers and
men is notable In so large force and seems to
Increase from year to year, as shown by the
violations OF the rules, while the efficiency OF
the department is also increasing, as shown BIZ
It's almost uniform success in confining fires to
the structures In which they originate. Much
Of the credit for this Is due to the zeal and
intelligence of Chief Engineer CrOnin who is
i1dsIat1gable In promoting the discipline OF the
OF the department. He is faithfully seconoe,!
in his eXertions for the Improvement of the de-
partment here by his able assistant Col. w. o
Drew. The fire alarm service has been well
managed by superintendent Miles aud nis as
sistants. WHO have kept the apparatus IN excel
lent ORDER, so That there has been go unpact.5.
saTy delay In turning In correct alarms, thus
enabling the tirelnen TO reach the scene Of
GaEger III the shortest possible time after fire (.
discovered. We sincerely thank you gentlemen
iCr your hearty cooperation with us In mea
Srfes designed TO promote the best interest OF
The IRE department.. and have reasons To feel
grateful for tie prompt recognition b. both
houses OF Congress OF the Claims OF the depart.
ment on the general government. ratntons o.
dollars worth OF public property having been
saved by our local firemen before dollar was
appropriated by the United States 60 aid In i,s
support"
The estimate Of regular expenses for the fsca!
year ending June 80. 1SS2, foot up Sl33, 40. Is
Innate OF extraordinary expenses: Purchase OF
iot and erection OF house in northern section OF
Washington, 10000; exchange OF thraa Old
AInoskeag engines for new ones 81 GOO salaries
Tor proposed new company in the northern sec
tlcn OF the city, s. $780, cost II extension OF fire
alarm telegraph, new alarm boxes, ETC., $40 900
Total estimates Sl70660.