Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-12
The Fire Department.


That hell deserving paltroon, slave.
The Fire Department.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CcMMISSIONERS-NEw
BUILDINGS NEEDED-OPERATIONS DURING THE
YEAR.
The annual report Of the Fire Commissioners
was submitted to the District Commissioners
this morning. The chief engineer, in his ac-
companying report, calls attention to the neces-
sity for the erection of new houses for No. 4
and NO. engine companies, and the organiZa-
ton OF new engine company in the northern
section of the city. His recommendations in
that connection are heartily cOncurred in by the
board. In reference to No. 5 house the report
of the body says 1--WE earnestly recommend
that unless it can be sold speedily. for enough
to build new house in more suitable lOca-
ton. as authorized by Congress, that YOU will
press upon that body, at the next session, the
necessity for such further legislation as may be
needed to enable you to build the new engine
honse west of Rock Creek at the earliest posi-
bic date. If the new house for No. company
Is erected, the present structure can be utilized
l0f other public purposes as suggested by the
chief engineer"
APPARATUS AND HORSES.
Upon the subject of apparatus the report
states: with the exception of the three Amos
keag engines and the old truck the apparatus is
in good condition. The old truck will be re-
built during the current year and the recon-
mendatiOns of the chief that the three engines
named be exchanged for new ones is approved.
These engines have been in service long time:
they necessarily often need repair, and should
be replaced by new ones as {, matter of economy
as well as safety" OF horses the report states:
1.-The horses purchased during the past year
were good ones, but from various causes we
have now fewer animals than are essential for
the proper conduct Of that branch of the service.
To prevent creating deficiency an effort will be
made to get through the current year with the
amount appropriated, but the larger sum asked
next year will be necessary and should be
granted"
FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH AND FIRE-PLUGs.
VI the fire-aarm telegraph and telephone ser
vice the report says: "This branch of the service
is in excellent condition, but still needs certain
additions and improvements, as will be seen by
the report of the superintendent. His recon-
mendatiOns for new boxes and increased help
are approved, as they are absolutely necessary"
The report says OF fre-plugs especial attention
is invited to that portion of the chief engineers
report which treats of the water supply His
suggestions in regard to the erection of new and
altering OF old ire-plugs. the increase in size of
mains, and the construction of cisterns are timely
and should receive careful consideration"
EXPENDITURES AND ESTIMATES
The report says 90 The books of the auditor
of the District show the expenditures on account
OF the fire department for the fiscal year ending
June 81, 1881, to have aggregated S106 2f2 81
which leaves small deficiency. The estimates
OF the chief engineer and superintendent of fire
alarm telegraph for the next fiscal year aggre-
gate larger amount than was allowed last year
but the figures represent exactly the sum needed
and should be allowed in order to avoid de-
ficiency. In addition to the ordinary expenses
they estimate for certain much-needed improve
mentS and additions. and with the knowledge
that the present department is numerically too
small to cope with an extensive fire. or two large
ones occurring at the same time. would fail
in our duty to the community if we did not
second their reasonable request. According to
the last report Of the assessor and treasurer the
buildings in the District are assessed at nearly
one hundred million of dollars; add to this the
money value of the furniture, merchandise and
other personal property contained in them. and
1t will hardly need the testimony Of the expert
tiremen to prove that the present force is totally
inadequate for the proper protection Of such
vast interests. 1t is true, that during the past
year the losses have been small but it is ais O
true that we are liable at any time to have an
extensive c0nflagratlOn such as has visited other
cities. There is always possibility of a large
lire. and we should be prepared to master it if
it should occur. 1t is certainly better to ex-
pend small additional sum per annum in
strengthening this department.. than to be COM
peiied TO record loss of property amounting to
hundreds OF thousands Of dollars.
THE DEFICIENCY.
This report states ''For the first time this
committee is compelled to ask for an appropria-
ton to cover deficiency which is placed in the
estimates at $500. This is through no fault
OF ours, but is the result of unforeseen causes
1t happens that the estimates for feed for the
current year were based upon the prices paid
the preceding year; but an unexpected rise in
the prices OF forage leaves but money enough to
the credit of that particular fund to purchase
supplies for six or seven months. For this rea-
son it is necessary that the sum asked should be
appropriated to supply the deficiency, and be
made available at once
DISABLED FIREMEN
eve again call your attention to the propriety
OF making some suitable provision for the relief
of men disabled in the fire department. The
service is attended with many risks by accident
and exposure, and it is only just that when men
are thus broken in health and incapacitated for
physical labor they should be retained by some
lighter duty under the government or placed on
the retired list with moderate salary There
are now several men on our rolls who are really
unable to perform the active duties of the posi-
ton, but they are retained because it would be
a great hardship to discharge them after they
have become thus broken down in health in the
performance of duty"
THE ESTIMATES
IOr the year ending June 80, 1888. are: For
salaries, $75. TAO; miscellaneous, sec. 63O; extra
$17,92O; deficiency, $500; extra
$1,000 The report liz signed by all the com
missiOners.
A CRANK" ONLY WHEN DRUNK.-This morn
ing in the Police Court large, elderly colored
man named Tobias Simpson was charged with
cnrsing and swearing on the street. Officer
kearney. who Is stationed at the B.&P. depot.
stated that he was talking to gentleman in
in front OF the depot yesterday, when this man
came up and said something; witness told him
to pass on, when Simpson exclaimed at the ton
OF his voice that he was the President of the
United States. Witness remarked to his friend
that this must be another crank. Simpson he
came SO loud and insulting that witness had tn
put him under arrest, when he grabbed witness
by the throat, tore his uniform, and struggled so
that it took several persons to take him i'm. The
court asked Simpson if he had any statement to
make, and he said that all he had to saw was
that he was drunk. The court also asked him if
he still claimed to be President. Simpson
grinned and SAID that he did not.
DAMAGES BY YESTERDAYS STORM-Durine the
storm yesterday afternoon, the plate glass win
dow OF Mr.. Lewis store, 1921 F street, was
broken by swinging sign. A twO-stOry brick
house at the foot of 18th street southeast, occu-
pied by Mr.. Harvey Clark as a restaurant, was
blown down and utterly demolished, but none
OF the inmates were injured.
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