New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-06
THE COMMISSION REPORTS.
FIRE COMMISSIONER ENNIS. OF BROOKLYN
UNFIT FOR The PLACE.


The commission composed of Alexander e. Orr,
Edward d. Bartlett and John q. Jenkins appointed
by Mayor Body early in the watcr to investigate
the fire protection Of Brooklyn, presented Its report
to Mayor Body yesterday. The investigation was
the result OF the OF % per cent In insurance
rates upon the business buildings of the city by the
Insurance Tariff Association, which defended this
action by the declaration that the Fire Department
was wofuy lacking in certain important particulars
for adequate protection OF property. succession
of large fires added force to the charges Pending
the investigation the increased rate OF insurance was
suspended for sixty days and at the end OF that
time abrogated altogether.
The commissioners say in their report that the
fire protection OF the city Is by no means confined to
The Fire Department as generally supposed, and that
to this Misrepresentation Is due a large part OF the
fhutrndng and criticisms to which 1t has been
subjected. The Department OF City Works, with
control Of the water supply, and the Department OF
Buildings. with control OF the construction Of al
ediGces exposed to hre. important factors. For
th, reason the Investigation was OF such scope mat
all the interests involved were considered so as 70
point OIL; existing defects, and to suggest such RENE
dies and additions as nay put Brooklyn III the front
rank of reprotected Cities and secure the dement's
therefrom.
As to the charges that the fire force Is too small
and that the number OF alarm boxes Is too few the
report saws that the testimony susians these. But
the charge Of lack OF discipline In the fire force Is
not sustained, except as respects the frequen'ing
of lauor shops by uniformed fremen TO some EXTENT
and the placing Of alarm goDgs II the liquor SHOPS
The lack OF efficient protection and Inspection OF inc
fire hydran,s l. laid to the City Works Department.
The alegaiior Of the uniinoss of Fire Commissioner
Emil, for his place Is sustained. and the report says
1t Is our opinion that the Commissioner OF tns
Fire Department does not ev,nce any remarkable &C.
gree OF fitness for the important position he NOUS
that his Official obligations seem to b. Performed III
perfunctory manner; that his system OF discipline Is
lax and Notwithstanding the general exceiiehce VI
the officers and under his controp somewhat
demoralizlng in its tendency. and that coming into
office with evidently little experience he does not
seem TO have gained In administrative ability from
his almost eight years OF Official tenure.
The accusation was made that the absence OF
Chief Engineer Nc,ins from his post OF duty and
active connection with outside business interesl-
seriously impaired his efficiency. On this point the
report says:
1T is our opinion that the chief of the Fire Depart
ment +, courageous efficient and competent TO fuldu
his RESPONSIBLE duties that he enjoys the confidence
of his men, and has proved himself to be fearless
and at the same time iudicions leader; that pro-
longed absence from hi, post would be detrimsht 10
the force tstandEg the fact that MS assistants
are experienced and capable men. and that active
,n,er.,, In the management direction OF business
,u.rpri.es would impair his efficiency as chief ens1-
pcrr. The evidence leads Us TO believe thit tue
consecutive days of his absence from his post nave
at times been altogether too many Tor the good OF
the DEPARTMENT although taken under leave from
NJ, SUPERIOR but there /, testimony whatever to
show that business engagements lave ln'erlered
with his efficiency as officer OF the department.
In regard TO the method OF purchasing supplies
for the Fire Department the commissioners hhd tnat
tho purchases are honestly and carefully MADE ana
mat the equipments properly earcd Tor
The more important recommendations are these:
The volume ard strength Of the Ere department
should be increased. In addition to three new engine
hous.s now under way there shodld DE hve more
added this year and Eve more next year. ana aiter
that such additions as the growth Of the city war
rams The number OF public ire.alarm boxes shoud
pe increa sd by 900 az and lJO should De audeu
each succeeding year until there l. one "'hh easy
reach Of each householder. Two chemical engines 70
ho stationed In the wooden district shoud be pur-
chased A fire patrol should not be paid FOR by
tho city but by the Insurance companies rs IN New
yor,; and other cities. More comfortable quarters
for The men In many instances are desirape' IL Is
recommended that. In addition 10 the Inspection Of
hvdrants by the city Works Department men be De-
tailed from the various engine companies 10 Inspect
those in their districts, especially in winter The
fir, telegraph wires should be put under ground In
500 there were 1859 fires. Of which l.os' were
extInguisaei on the first alarm. Tie report says:
The testimony Is almost unanimous mat these hres
had been well handled, and where exception was
taken Investigation proved 10 our satl-facton tIit
,hc ault did not lie with the officers and ncn Of the
Fire Department.
The abolition Of the privilege allowed 70 hremen
10 enter liquor shops when in uniform. provided they
do not lit down. strongly urged, and the commits
s.oner is criticised for furnishing drunkenness on
the part VI remcn severely enough. in one Instance
letting the engineer Of company OF twice IN one
wear with the fine OF days pay, ana Quiet
a.rrant instance, are lef, rred 10 and condemned
The commissioners say that rule me water
supply is ample and well distributed except III SOM
OF The older manufacturing and mercah.iic pT"vi'
of the city. where IL II recommended that thc ia
inch main, be replaced by larger ones ihe nunoos
of IRE hydran,s should he increased rom i,oo, "
$500 AS soon ms possible, those OI unioirui l.i
being used. present there are eieVen "I,e, ,o
patterns causing confusion ana DENY ine ~
i purchasing supplies the Fire Department throusu
the city Works Department Is declar't Oh no sSr
iucc and the Fire Department should have WiuN'ue~
responsibility -, -,,oo, q, th. Iuili.
,ncs Department and calls attention TO IN" neeu "
nov bui,ilnc laws strictly enforced With an ihcrsa,e
in the number OF buildings inspectors from eighty"
10 overweight. A. -. Aha ,nss MOP
Attached 10 the report is table 81 me ioSs p,
capita for from 1870 10 IsU ~ H., rb.
of the chief cities of the country shoMIhs Ia vcrh
average for irnohlyn Is lower than I'D Wv ,,,hn,
- Louis Boston and cincinnati, ana sns".n naJ,a
Than I'm Chicago and Pttsbrg. Ih' COS, pe' Tor ths
for the maln nance Of the Fire Depir , mn ,n any
last five wears was lower IN Brooknh u'ai Nv SANG
other cities named the figures III bos''n NV "o