National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-30
The One.NIan Power.

There is general complaint Of too much
one-man power in the District fire depart
ment. After careful inquiry of woll-in-
formed persons the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN
is convinced that the disaffectlon is not un-
reasonable.
There is complaint, too, that tho 6remen
Of this District have less pay, harder service
in some respects, and fewer privileges than
fall to the lot of ilremen in other cities.
These allegations appear to rest on a sub
stantial basis.
When 1t is remembered that this city Is
the national headquarters; that the great
government buildings with their invaluable
contents are under the protection Of the
local fire department, and that Congress has
exclusive control of every branch Of local
government, 1t is surprising that our fire.
men are not more literally provided for
Here, as elsewhere, the duties of fire.
man are onerous and dangerous
lie incurs risks and exposure equal to
those encountered by soldier IN actual
campaigning. Although but a small pro-
portion Of his time is devoted to fighting
fire, he must always DO prepared to in-
moments that he can call his own, and he
lives life apart from the world Our
District lremen have but slight opportu-
mites for getting acquainted with their own
families. They are In the world, but not
of it-a band Of faithful sontinels keeping
incessant guard over the lives and property
of our citizens. Such service should be
fairly rewarded, such servants should be
well treated.
Prior to 1874 there was far less of the
one-man power in this department than
there has been since that time. The old
board of fire commissioners exercised much
of the authority now welded by the chief.
The abolition Of the board has not been
productive of good results. 1t has not in
creased the efficiency or the economy Of
the service, while 1t has given occasion for
discomfort IN the force and for accusations
| Of partiality and other manifestations Of ID
Justice. The following statement comes
from intelligent ana, Us We believe, honest
men now employed on the force:
Since the adjustment of the board of fire
commissioners, which was done through the
influence Of Chief Cronin, members of the dc.
+ partment feel that they are in jeopardy. The
| forcmen of the several companies have been
afraid to use their own judgment at fires.
I When they do so they are f3aiiu itt,tit with by
! the chief engineer. He has used his office 10
| further his interest by removing good men
| without any cause recommending new men
for the positions in tho department who are
! incapable of performing their duties as they
can neither readNnor write their own name,
and must depend on privatcs to make out their
reports and attend to The business for which
the ioremen are paid. The chief engineer has
full power to reduce or remove man when.
ever he deems fl. If the trial board, which is
composed of two forcmen and assistant chief
try man it is simply farce.
No matter what the recommendation OF the
q, trial board u.s. iftho ohiefengineer recommends
otherwise, his recommendation is supreme.
Therefore We would suggest that n board of
three commissioners be appointed; also that
some legislation be had regarding the mems
! time on. The chief has power to keep man
| ON duty all the time If he deems II necessary.
| We also ask for an increase of pay on the fol-
| lowing grounds, viz: Our expenses arc as fol.
! lows Winter uniform, Si0 fire hat, IS; belt,
$3.50; cap sl,75; shirts, 3;gum boots, Shotgun
coat, $3.50; oyercoat, SIS; pants, 50; summer uul-
form, s25; straw hat, sl50; making q total of
Slll.25. The law requires the men to pay S.
per month ON lDclT UlOlnUS, IN DIueT lSSuGu Dy
| the District commissioners.
Our household expenses are House rent,
SOS; washing, So; fuel, IS; marketing, gas, &C.,
$40; making a total Of s5s per month for mar
ried men. The single mems board is $40 per
month. This does not include doctors bills
and medicine, for which we receive the sum
Ofs64 per month Below is the following rates
of the men
Chief engineer, 81 500; assistant chief 81 200;
fire marshal, 81 COO; foremen, $1,000 each;
engineers, 81, 600 each; 2 tillermen, acting as
foremen, $500 each; fremeD, $500 each; 0
hostlers, $500 each; privates, $3.50 each. From
the above pay sl2 per year is deducted from
each mans pay for the relief fund.
Under the present plan of District gov
eminent the Chief of the fire department
is responsible to the District commissioners,
and we would not deem IL advisable to les
sen or in any way disturb that responsible
ity. But, with all the other duties devolv-
ing on them, the commissioners cannot pos
sibly find time to listen to the complaints
Of the men. They are compelled to leave
all the details Of management to the chief,
and this puts the men almost entirely at his
disposal-a relation that ought not to exist
in this republic. No matter how good Or
wise man may be his subordinates should
always have the right to appeal from his
decisions
We do not advocate the restoration In
full Of the old plan of managing the various
departments of local government through
boards, but it would seem expodlent for
the commissioners to appoint committed
of citizens, gentlemen of good repute, who
should be empowered to hear complaints o.
f!remen, to investigate allegations Of in
justice, and report to the commissioners
This would afford the men a protection they
cannot now have and give them q feeling
of security that is impossible under exist
ing conditions, If legislation be necessar,
for the consummation of such an arrange
ment, Congress should provide it.
As 10 the desired increase of pay and tn
allowance of slime off," the flremen asl
only simple justice and it should not be dc
, MED them.
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NANl M