Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-09-08
Adncastrr fn:elIae,1cer.
THURSDAY EVENING. SEPT. 9, 1881.
The Fire Department.

The Fire Department.
The committee of councils on the pro.
posed reorganization of the fire depart
ment perhaps did all that could be rea-
sonably expected of them in reporting
the three different plans that are in
vogue in cities OF the size of Lancaster
and practicable for their use, with an es-
innate of the cost OF each, based on in.
quiry into their workings and an investi-
CATION of their relative merits. Their
report is entitled to tho careful reading
of Onr citizens who are almost unani-
nous in the opinion that some kind of a
change is necessary. Whether the change
that has been decided upon by councils,
In remodeling the present volunteer sys
tenn and reducing the number of CON-
panies, shall prove effectual is question
that is open to considerable diversity Of
opinion. Any change, it may be truth
fully claimed, must prove one for the
better, but it Is imperative that volun
teer plan to be really efficient in discharg-
ing the functions OF fire department
must he subject to the most rigid disci-
pline and the committee in charge Of
the matter will no doubt SO consider in
performing the work contided to it of
preparing a series of regulations for the
government Of tho department.
The Easton or "call - system, which
after gaining the favor Of one branch of
councils was defeated in the other, seems
to us to possess advantages over any vol
unteer plan, and has the merit Of being
not very expensive, if it can be demon
strated to be of enough efficiency for the
wants of Lancaster. Its establishment
would have proved step toward
a paid department and not much more
costly than the improved volunteer sys-
tenn, which has been adopted. 1t
is questionable whether for the price set
forth the necessary hosemen and FIRE
men could be secured and their services
commanded as promptly as they are
needed. We hardly think they could
be had at $50 per year, and
yet We have many excellent tiremen who
for many years have been rendering their
service gratis. The question, neverthc-
less, arises whether the time has not
come for them to be relieved from this
burden and this responsibility. Our city
is larger, its property interests more Va
ried and the risks of fire greater than
ever before. The character of its popu-
lation has changed, and all the circuin-
stances which were conducive to the old
system of volunteer firemen. Expert
ence proves that there must be some re-
striction, and the better class Of firemen
are of this mind as much as anybody,
and while change is being made it
might rs well be Of the character of real
reform.
At any event the committee wisely
recommend ard the councils adopt
the establishment Of " fire alarm
telegraph" as Indispensable to the
proper management os an efficient
protective system. The INTELLIGENCEE
has been very decidedly Of this mind
all, the while this discussion las
been pending. Since the Empire
alarm bell has been put up our citizens
have noticed how much it is depended
upon to indicate the direction Of the
fire, and albeit it sometimes sounds the
wrong direction its guidance is OF great
service to the Gremen and the public.
The telegraph alarm would do this i'm
pOrtant work much better and save
time, annoyance and money. 1t is indis-
pensable and no time should he wasted
providing it.
A clergyman, who is evidently of a
practical turn of mind, in an article
which we reprint, points out the fearful
losses occurring annually from fires. a
large proportion of which could have
been averted by speedy relief. lie even
advocates a sort of fire alarm in every
house, and though this may not yet Lo
practicable, it is not without a prospect
Of realization in the future and all the
arguments for it are arguments for at
least the city alarm system.