Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-09
aI)e Eo,,faster Jntellige,lfer.
gLANcAsrER. MARCH o. 1855.
About which All May Agree.

There Is, probably, no dlnerence ol oPih-
ION among the observers Of the conflagra-
ton last evening, as to the efficiency OF the
direction of the, fire organization. IL was
not efficient. The fire could readily have
been prevented from extending through
the Kepler building. The water was not
put upon the fire with sufficient speed, nor
was it directed wisely. There was no wind
to spread the flames; and that was very
fortunate thing, indeed. The fire swept
through the Kepler building simply be-
cause it was not fought on its way, until 1t
had achieved a mastery which carried it
through the whole length Of the building.
The water should have been taken in from
the North Queen street side promptly. 1fit
had been where it should have been, but
little damage would have been done to the
Kepler building.
The chief engineer of the fire department
worked with zeal but without sufficient
discretion. He did as well as he knew how,
but he did not know how. The response
bility for the damage rests not SO
much upon him as upon those who
elected him to his place, knowing
him to be without due experience and
without great marked aptitude for the
place for which he asked their votes. They
displaced chief who had such experience
and who had manifested an aptitude for
his place that was recognized on all hands.
1t was not denied by anyone that MI. Howell
was the right man in the right place, barr
ing his politics. 1t was only because Mr..
Howell was Democrat that Mr.. Von-
dersmlth was given his position. Mr.. Won
dersmith's friends may have thought that,
as he was active and intelligent, he, would
develop into as good chief as Mr..
Howell. If SO they can hardly now take
much credit to themselves for their per-
spicacity Mr.. Vondersmith has shown
in very clear way that it is not every
man of ordinary activity and intelligence
who is capable Of managing fire. There
are very marked characteristics needed.
A fire chief needs activity, intelligence, ex.
perience, decision, quickness, self-posses.
sion and sound judgment in the varying
situations in which he is placed which de.
mand the utmost promptitude of apprehen-
sion and action. Mr.. Vondersmith had a
severe trial last evening and is found want
ing. The necessity for replacing him with
Mr.. Howell is too clear for dispute. If the
city wants the protection from fire for
which it provides its fire department, it
needs an efficient director of it.
Mr.. Vondersmith complains that he has not
men enough; that he is short of horses, and
that his engines are not all efficient
This is probably true. The Sun engine
certainly is not fit for service, in its present
condition. There should be more engines
In the department, to be held in reserve for
great conAagrations. If last night had
been windy, driving the sparks so
that other property would have been
endangered, off from the place where
these engines were working, what would
have been done, when all the engines were
needed where they stood There should
bo more elasticity in the department.
There should be provision made for its en-.
largement in case of necessity. The only
permanent provision needed is in the shape
Of engines and hose. Atemporary supply OF
horses could be provided for an emergency
from the public stables; and additional
hremen could be readily employed for an
occasion, if authority was given the CHIEF
to enlarge his force whenever temporarily
necessary.
Put man in as chief who is worthy
Of confidence and give him power
in an emergency to provide the force
needed to meet it. The city has the
man. 1t is not Mr.. Vondersmith. 1t II
Mr.. Howell. OF this there can be no con
tradiction. Mr.. Vondersmith is intelligent
enough to see it and to resign.