The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-15

HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Committee Report Against Reducing
Fire DepartneDt.


At tho meeting OF the house of delegates last
evening the fire committee reported against the
passage of house of delegates bill No IS, provid-
ing for n reorganization of the fire department
with view 20 reduce expenses. The report was
rs follows:
"four committee on FIRE. 10 whom was re-
ferred house OF delegates bill No. So, beg leave
to respectfully submit the following report
"Aitcr having carefully considered the bill re-
ferred 10 above, we recommend that the same
be rejected, for the following reasons: The Dres-
ent org aniSatson OF the FIRE department is suoh
mat great degree of efficiency Is attained with
the smallest number of men possible to handle
the apparatus At present IN use. Any reduction
IN the number OF men would seriously impair
the working efficiency aRd neecsSitate the re
ureinent OF portion OF the apparatus for want
oil physical force necessary TO handle H. The
substitution OF call men for regulars could not
faii 10 result in the deterioration OF the dcpart-
ment IN every particular. moral and physical
with city built and situated as ours is, no
iorce ct men scattered throughout the city
could be collected and concentrated without
lnss OF time. which is of 50 much importance at
the beginning OF FIRE.
a further objection 20 the bill is the fact
that one OF its provisions is in direct conflict
with the marine laws of the United states which
provide that the pilot and captain shah be dif-
terent persons
ain view of the reasons above set forth. and of
the fact that the constantly recurring fire losses
remind as almost daily oi the maguilude and
Importance OF the property and business inter
ests depending Tor their protection upon our fire
department, whose efficiency has earned Them n
nsinc and tame second 10 none ON this COAST
aud which has been substantially recognized nv
the insurance companies in the reduction in
rates already accomplished, asgregating each
year a sum saved To the insOring public greater
than the entire cost OF the department We suh-
NIT that wise and prudent policy. having due
regard for the Interests Of the city which Ne arr,
called upon TO represent. should inapel MS 10 On
courage the present department, and TO ala il in
It's efforts 10 maintain the high standard already
la 4Fr ..aFt ~
upon lower plane "a certaIl its usefulness and
Impair It's efficiency.
II is signed by Frank Hanford, A. A. Barton
and Charles 7. Cowden.
After motion that the report be adopted Mfr.
Bsgley said that he thought he voiced the seu.i.
ments Of the great part OF the people when he
called for cutting down Of the expenses Of m,
Gre department, notwithstanding the opinion of
che chief aud Others interested in insurance
matters. lie thought it would be well IN bava
committees from the two houses GET toe.ther
and hear both sides OF the question. Mr. Ham
ford replied that the business Interests of the
city were al stake and il would De folly 10 cnt
down the department; this was the general
arinion among the business men OF the city.
Mr.. Cowden said that in wide search among
The business men and taxpayers Of the city he
had not found one who was IN favor OF the ordl.
nance.
Mr.. Muldoon said he wanted 70 speak on be
half of the people living out OF town who were
having large taxes and yet not obtaining any
protection iron fire. He also though; That there
seenled 20 Do poor management IN the turning
out of the entire department 10 go 20 little Ire
nj the extreme end of one part of the town
This brought out = general discussion % the
management sud efficiency Of TIE department
motion 20 postpone the consideration o. the
report until the next meeting was carried
Action on the report OF the hnanee COMMITTEES,