Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-09
THE DISTRICT FIRE DEPARTMENT
Annual Report Of the Board OF Com.
Observation-Disclosures Recommenda-
tiOnS.

Annual Report Of the Board OF Com.
Observation-Disclosures Recommenda-
| tons.
| The fire board (dessrs Collins, Bacon and Tait)
have submitted their annual report to the District
| Commissioners, accompanied by their estimate for
| the next fiscal year. The following extracts from
the report are OF public interest:
| BUILDINGS.
| "The buildings and rooms in the occupation Of
the department are the same at the time of our
last annual report, whilst the necessity for I'M
proved premises for No. and No. engine compa-
MES is pressing In increased degree. The house
| OF No. company should be rebuilt in more suit
| able locality The house in use by Company 5 has
become dilapidated as to require it's front TO be
propped. while 1t is very unfayorably situated for
prompt response Of the company to fire alarms in
We respectfully reiterate what was said In last
years report relative to the imperative necessity
northern section of the city, referring to the ac-
companyfng estimate (marked Az for the probable
cost thereof. That section is being rapidly built
up with costly houses, and every month the dan
ger OF losses from fire is cOrrespondngly increased
and this will continue until the location OF fire
| company reasonably near the endangered prop
| OF fire there.
| WATER SUPPLY.
The necessity for larger water mains than thos e
now existing should not be lost sight OF. Among
IhO pOlHtS NltEe tulS WANT urgent may De
mentioned the neighborhood OF the government
printing office, wherein are gathered at nearly all
times of day and night so many people, and so
large an amount OF public property. The vicinity
or the government printing office is also very
densely populated and the buildings present little
obstacle to the march of fire II started These
circumstances suggest the necessity for water
main of large dimensions, quite around the print
ing office las recommended by the chief engineer),
with several plugs additional to those now in use,
and two new eisterns The policy OF providing new
city ought to be kept steadily in view.
DISABLED FIREMEN AND PAID SURGEONS
Repeating our suggestions in previous reports as
to the wisdom and justice of the policy of making
some suitable provision for the RELIEF Of members
OF the fire department disabled In the service we
also observe that occasions are not infrequent,
when surgical or medical aid to employees Of the
department, injured In its service, become impera-
| tive. II one or two competent surgeons, cOnve-
niently located as to residence were employed as
In the case or the police, at reasonable cOmpen-
sation to render professional aid when called
upon, the result would be hailed by the men with
great satisfaction, and do much to cement their
the men to risk life and limb to feel that In OF
their death their families will be unprovided fer,
and that II they are crippled at fire their sala-
ries. If continued at all, VIII be consumed in the
payment OF doctors bills This board has ap-
proved such bills against the District government
In cases where payment by the patient would take
all MS means 1or months or even years.
THE OFFICERS AND MEN.
''Nothing succeeds like success" The efficiency
of the fire department Of this District is generally
conceded, because the comparative statistics OF
fires and losses here and elsewhere, conclusive,
prove it. 1t is not alone such safeguards to prop
erty here as our excellent fire-alarm system, our
wide streets (Which prevent the spread OF fires,
and our smooth pavements (Which allow
bnng Which hare bTousRRt aSou
this satisfactory result. We deem it but just to
the officers and men OF the department to claim
nnln Ions. nn6 nnr1n-
work at fires has been the mann element Of success
| In the prevention OF such destructive conflagra-
lions here, as has visited other cities. Chief
Crontn always alert, cool-headed and intelligent,
has worked 1ndefatgably for years to bring about
the discipline and system which has elevated the
character OF the force, and his extended eX-
perience in lighting fire greatly adds to his use
fulness. His assistant, Drew, is a capable and
jealous officer The foremen and members of the
companies are with few exceptions active,
vigorous and clear-headed at fires, and there are
comparatively few violations OF the rules and
regulations OF the departments by them.
FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH.
During the year the fire-alarm telegraph service
has been, by act OF Congress- so far disconnected
| from the fire department proper as to have been
formed into department OF its own, having its
accounts separate and distinct for which reason
1t Is. omit further reference thereto, than cor
daily to acknowledge its invaluable assistance
and cC-ope ration (under the able supervision OF
superintendent Miles, with this department.
FINANCIAL, ETC.
The expenditures OF the department for the last
fiscal year, as furnished by the books Of the au-
ditor, aggregate SO. S99 49,
| The estimate for the ordinary expenditures OF
the next fiscal year ending June 80, 1884 amounts
| TO SlOO,O40; for extraordinary expenses deemed
necessary for the good OF the service, $4,000.
The present number OF ttre-plugs through the
city Is reputed at S2S, in good working order.
We again urge the exchange Of three of the
WORKOUT engines for new apparatus as recon-
mended in our last annual report
| In closing this report, we desire to return our
thanks to the honorable Commissioners OF the
District OF Columbia for their kindly cooperation
and assistance in all measures for the increase OF
the efficiency OF the fire department and the
good OF Its members. which have been brought to
| their attention"
| THE ESTIMATES.
The estimates for the year ending June 3Oth, 1884,
are: For salaries, $1,000: repairs to apparatus
$4,000; repairs to houses QncdentaD, $500;
forage, $1,000; hose, $4,000; fuel, $1,000; horses,
529oo miscellaneous expenses and supplies OF all
| kinds, $4,000. Total, 100000.
| extraordinary estimate: Exchanging three
A1noskeag engines, $1,000; purchase OF lots and
building and furnishing hsuses for No. and No.
companies, $4,000; purchase OF lot and erection
OF house In northern section OF city, $4,000; SAL
northern section of city, 1890. Total, s46,saO.
The Garfield Monument Fair
| There was meeting last night in the parlors Of
the Ebbitt house OF the board Of direction. with
fair attendance, and fair progress was made In the
business of the board; Mr.. John w. Thompson
in the chair. The general plan Of the fair
was discussed especially, and the subject of
space to be allowed to exhibitors; also, the
| subject OF transportation.
| From the remarks it was apparent that the ex-
| position had already assumed national import
ance far beyond all previous antlcpations. Among
| those present were Commissioner Gen. j. R. West
Col. ID. b. Anger DR.. c. b. Purvis, Gen. r. d. Mus
sey, Merritt Barber, .. s. A; w. H. Clapp, U. s A.;
| and Mr. w. S. R0OSe. The chairman appointed
the following officers: First vice-president, Mr..
| Henry A. Willard; second vtce-preSident, Col ID.
B. Anger. Executive committee: Gen. j. R. West,
NJ NJ Parker W. Il. Clapp, U: S: A; Col A. f.
rockwell, T. 5. A; Maj. Merritt Barber, U. S. A;
and A. E. Bateman. The board adjourned to meet
| Tuesday evening, the 18th instant.
The Massachusetts board OF commissioners, In
room 96, showed a full delegation present Mr. Sc.
Faunce, chairman, and A. c. Floyd, secretary The
plan OF operations for this board were thoroughly
discussed, and the commissioners believe they will
be successful in obtaining many articles of rare
| historic value for the loan exhibit, as well as
full share OF contributions OF articles for the bene
| fit OF the bazaar.
The board OF commissioners for Illinois met In
| room 95-CoL s. p Rounds In the chair, Col A. H.
Holt, Secretary-and large amount OF business