Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-23

increase. ABOUT ..-.-..-.-. ----..-- S.UuU,UO
Thus we would have paid department,
well disciplined and drilled, at cost of only
$4,000 more than we pay at present.
Respectfully submitted,
E. NJ. GREEN,
Chairman Committee on Fire.
MAJORITY REPORT.
The undersigned beg leave to 81 bmit the
following as q report Of a majority OF the Fire
Committee on the reorganization OF the Fire
Department:
While your committee fully accord with
the minority report in the necessity Of per-
fecting organization and discipline IN this de-
partment, yet we do not think the plan pro-
posed is the best under existing circumstances,
in view of the efficiency of the department
and the financial condition of the city, and
your committee can but view with disfavor
any attempt to put upon the Police Depart
ment the management OF the FIRE Depart
ment in this city, for your committee deem it
unwise to jeopardize the efficiency of such an
important adjunct of the good government Of
this city as the police force IS by putting
additional burden upon the Chlet OF that
depar ment by assigning him to duties
with which he Is unfamiliar and
with which he has had no connection
in the past. The scheme suggested by the mi
nority of the committee proposes to put the
organization of the Fire Department in the
hands of the Chief of Police, while its prac-
teal operation would be in the hands and I'M
der the control of another, to whom the men
in the department would not be in the habit
of looking to as their leader, and we believe
the consequences of such a system would be
to bellttle the person who was charged with
the practical working of the department, and
so TO awaken dlStruSt In the men VINO would
form the department The plan also looks to
the doing away of the Volunteer Fire De
partment, which has existed for long time,
and has in the past done efficient SER
vice. and which, your committee believe, I'M
der proper discipline viii be a valuable adj
junct to the Fire Department, and be great
relief to the finances eff the city in avoiding
flan - g In.s.N
most important matter connected with
the reorganization of the Fire Depart
ment is the selection of an efficient
Chlef Fireman; one who can demand
the respect of both the paid and volunteer de-
partments of this branch of the city govern
ment and who can enforce discipline in both
departments. The committee think that there
Is a misrepresentation on the part of many as
to the power of the Chief Fireman over the
volunteers of this department, which your
committee deem ample for the enforcement
of complete discipline whenever the said vol
unteefs appear at any fire In this city; but II
your committee should be mistaken in this
then we believe that it is within the power of
Council to place such power in his hands as
will make him, as your committee believes he
IS now under the law, an autOcrat, in the
management and control of fires, and of all
persons whether volunteers in the fire de-
partment, or citizens who attend the same.
\ our committee believe that it is but common
sense to select for the carrying out of these
Onerous and important duties, some
one who has demonstrated in the
past ability as an organizer and indepen-
dence enough to enforce discipline and
good order and efficient, intelligent work at
fires, and to do this your committee believe
that we have in our midst practical iiremen
who have in the first displayed ability forti-
tude and knowledge of the practical work
ing of this department of the city govern
ment, and who if now called to its admins
tratlon would render it efficient and useful in
the future. But your committee are of the
opinion that there should be changes made in
the department, and we would recommend
that the Chief Fireman give all his time to the
business of the city in looking after and man
aging the department, as in no other way do
your committee deem 1t possible for anyone to
discipline and make effective the department.
Your committee would also recommend that
four hremen and thlrty-siX men should be
employed who shall be known as call men,
and whose duty it shall be TO report promptly
at each place as the Chief Fireman designate
on the sounding of the fire alarm in said city,
and who shall be paid each sum as may be
provided by ordinance.
Your committee would recommend the
following rs an organization for the Fire De-
partment. together with the cost that the
same would be to the city, and yOnr commit
tee are of the opinion that an organization on
this basis, with an efficient Chief Fireman,
would afford ample and full protection to the
city in the future:
Chief Fireman, salary .............. 81 800
Assistant Chief Fireman, salary 500
superintendent of Fire Alarm, ..... 900
3 Engineers (of alD. Observation-Disclosures. 5000
Drivers (of ALL ......... 5.040
10 Can Men Observation-Disclosures. $500
Flremen Observation-Disclosures. 500
lIlllerman ....................... 72O
Feed for IL horses ....... I 200
Estimate Tor repairs NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1000
Total ......; ,........ Observation-Disclosures. $l9, 1860
This would require three engines to be kept
IN service, and would give to the Chief Fire
man force of forty efficient iiremen to use
IN operating the apparatus of the department,
which we are of the opinion could be done in
an intelligent, efficient manner by the election
OF one who has had experience in such mat
tiers, obtained often at great peril, risk and
personal discomfort, in season and out of sea
son. and which your committee believe can
never be acquired in any other way.