The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-15
4 nnih Wire DcnnrInncnt

To the Editor Of the Herald.
The matter of fire protection is enc of
great Importance to our growing city, and
is one that should require us much consid-
Grafton as any other branch of our city GOV
crnmcnt. 1t cannot be denied that our
volunteer force is fast losing interest, and
rs it is volunteer force, no impcritiye de-
mand can he made upon it, and if we may
he allowed TO take the last fire as a criterian
of what the entire city is liable to at any
time, the propcrty-holders and insurance
companies may well open their eyes in as
constituent. At the burning of Mr.. God
holds home, within the city limits, there
were not ten members of the volunteer fire
department present. BE their excuses what
they may, the fact remains the same. Now,
is this the kind OF proteCton we want?'
That If IL suits the convenience of the
fireman they will CO. otherwise there is
nothing to compel them, Tor impel and
they do not go. | would suggest re-
organization OF the fire department on the
following basis
First-The chief in connection with the
ioremen of each company to enroll thirty.
five (35) men as follows, viz Engine Com
pany No. |, 10 men Engine Company No.
2, 10 men Hook and Ladder COMPANY No.
l, 10 men; Etna Hose Company No. /, 6
men, making a total of 80 men. Pay each
of these men $500 for each and every
fire they attend promptly, and
impose fine of $500 on each
that fail to attend unless prevented by sick
ness of self or family, or absence with leave
from the city. by this you will see that a
fireman is interested to the amount of 81. OF
in his prompt attention to each alarm II
Oh IA. hn az a. ~
see their respective apparatus properly
housed and ready for the next alarm. Ar.
gumen-
First-rhc labor and time of no one
should be expected by any one without q
fair recompense for same,
Sccond-MeChanlcs clerks and employed
men, (of which classes you will fin6 all de
partments composeO cannot be expected
| TO give their time gratuitously for such ser
| vices, and more particularly when They
have so little, comparatively speaking al
| risk.
Third-Men, when they volunteer 70,
such services, can afford then to drop theii
tools and yard sticks to respond to III,
alarm Of fire, and will make their agree
ments accordingly
| Fourth-Mechanics, for instance, will bt
dockod, say u quarter Of n day, for time los
on their regular work, when IL will be
matter Of sat them, |. @. 50 fine saved, 4.
moro for attendance to alarm.
| Fifth-A prompt, efficient and well drilled
| fire department at about this cost, say q
men for each alarm OF fire at So each, e9ua
| so. Say "A fires during the year equa
81 ESQ Department snes average Of sever
men each fire, $3.50, Net cost, 1894.
Now, Mr.. Editor, does not this appear q
q very cheap paid fire department for cit,
Of our pretentionH and have no doubt bu
II can be so organized and our firemcn b.
very much improved thereby, but, Mr.
Editor, do not let II be supposed for on
moment as rejecting In any manner on In
noble ilremen, who have heretofore re
sponded 80 promptly and ably when thei
services have been needed.
They have served well and faithfully, an,
should be honored for their many sacrifices
but the glory Of this labor Of love has wor
out with many Of the old veterans an
they should now have an honorable dis
charge that our city has gained that Inn
portance to make II too proud TO beg,