Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-10-25
they entertain for the donor of such a use
full, pleasing and delightful gift.
Yours most respectfully,
D. c. HAvERsT1CK,
President Y. NJ. C. A.

D. HAvERsr1cK,
President Y. NJ. C. A.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Some Views on the Gail system.
EDITORS INTELL1GESCER Much discus
sion has been held over the reorganization
of the fire department. AS yet no con-
clusion has been arrived at that has salts
fled our citizens and firemen. AS a volun-
teer fireman, Of thirty years active service,
l think am able to suggest some features
that years of experience have impressed
upon me. would advocate the continu'
ance of the volunteer system as the cheap
est and most efficient department., not
in its present form, but in remodeled one.
There is no difficulty attending reorgan-
ization indeed, it is the most feasible and
attended with the least labor. A call or
paid system would become in the hands of
politicians quite political factor in mu-
| nicipal affairs, and above all things the de .
partments Of city government should be
free from political spoil and aspiration.
An overseer in every work and branch
of service is essential. Without a head
the body is uncomfortable. Hence chief
engineer should be invested with preroga-
tives and powers to direct and control his
subordinates his whole time should be
given to his ofiie, for his province Of work
is greater than any other city officer,
more manifold and more aIduous. A fair
competency should be given, not less than
5000 year. This will secure good man
and an able one, full of experience and in
tcllcgencc. He should be elected by tie
direct vote Of every active fireman, for
they alone know the calibre of the man
and the qualifications needed for the Office
They should not be actuated by partisan
motives, as would couIcilmen, who by vir-
tue of their election are in honor bound
to vote for one of their own political COM
plexion, regardless of fitness for the posi-.
ton. His term OF Office should be five
years. The mayor, as the city executive
officer, should be invested with authority
over him, such as lie exercises over the
police. If he is incompetent or dishonors
his position, the mayor can report him to
councils, they remove him, and order the
fireman to elect to fill the vacancy. Two
assistant engineers should receive $3.50
each, elected iu the same manner as the
chief. The companies should receive from
the city appropriation sufficient to defray all
their expenses, and a stop put to all balls,
picnics and fairs to make up the deficiency
of expenses over appropriation. Firemen
are tired Of such measures-much more so
than they who are constantly called upon
to contribute. Each company would re-
quire 81, 400 to cover their entire expenses,
as follows:
| Drivers salary. $50 o.
| Feeding two horses, etc. $50 on
| Contingent fund for renewal OF appa
| ratuS, hose, ctc........................ 800 90
| Incidental pcnses.................... 200 OO
sl,4lo Oo
Seven steamers, one hook and ladder.
with engineers salary, would entail an
annual appropriation Of $10,O 900.
Contrast this for moment with the
cost of :" call SYSTEM"
Interest or debts at per cent. ......$ 1912 %
Contingent fund for renewal of appa-
Sal: rics of members OF department. 7,O4i OF
| reeuihS hofscs ........................ Ivy W.
|
Total cost .$l5 OH CO
or 81, 900 more than we'll sustained vol
unteer department. TO rent the apparatus
at eight per cent Of their valuation, the
rate that would be charged, would amount
to the same.
A. well sustained volunteer system guar.
antees to the city a larger working force
than the " cali system, and il councils
would adopt the suggestion Of the Fire
mems Union and create volunteer fire
police brigade, the disorder and contention
among members Of the several companies,
so incident to fires, would be quellcd, and
the outside public, who crowd on the fire.
men and hinder their work, would be kept
from the vicinity Of the fires and 4 system
of fire duty, perfect in every detail, would
be inaugurated. The better clements OF
the department., who are largely in the
majority, will CO operate with the author
tiles in making the department efficient
and comfortable.
Ordinances should be passed that would
eliminate the disreputable members of the
department, and with proper executive
officer in the person of chief engineer,
the rules would bo enforced, if their viola
tion were attended with heavy penalties.
A reorganization Of the department is
feasible, and if the special council CON-
mittee would have conferred with repre-
sentative Gremen, instead Of ignoring them,
VIC would Gro this have had this mooted
question settled. Other cities have the
volunteer department under perfect con
troll, and there is no good reason why
Lancaster should not have. offer this
for suggestion, in the nope that they may
have some influence in directing tho au-
thorities out Of tho apparent dilemma they
are now in, and couduce to we'll ordered
department. J.G.G.
Lancast er. Pa, Oct. "a, 1881.
| The American Fire Company neruse to Lease
| Their Property to the City.
At a very largely attended meeting of
the American fire company held last even
ing, a communication from the committee
of city councils Oh the reorganization of
the Lancaster fire department was read,
wherein the company is asked to consider
a proposition from councils to lease their
hall and apparatus. for the use of the city,
under "call" system recently adopted by
councils.
! The matter was discussed at some length