The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-05
PAID FIRE SERVICE
City Officials and Councilmen
Have Worked Quietly for
Several Months Past.
VOLUNTEER SYSTEM TO GO
Ordinance Being Prepared and Will
Be Passed Before Jan. |, and in
Time to Be Included in the City
Controllers Estimate for the
Fiscal Year 1898 - Free
quent Consultations Have
Been Held Lately.
VOLUNTEER SYSTEM TO GO

Scranton will probably have a paid
fire department. the change from the
present volunteer service 10 go into
effect the first of the next fiscal year
For several weeks Chairman Wade
NJ. Finn and Charles Schadt, of the
select and common council fire depart
ment committees, respectively; Chief
H. f. Ferber of the fire department,
several prominent cOuncilmen and city
officials have been in consultation upon
the matter. The result of their consid-
erations is that the time Is ripe for a
paid fire department and that the in
novation will not meet with any oppo-
sitiOn.
The plans of the prime movers of the
idea have progressed to the extent that
an ordinance providing for the change
Of the present volunteer system to
paid department is now being drafted.
The ordinance will be presented to
councils Immediately and passed be-
fore the city controller submits his
estimates of needed appropriations for
the fiscal year 1895.
Leading Up 10 Ii.
1t now appears that the unusual eX-
pendlture of extra money upon
the fire department during the
present year was with the pre-ar-
ranged understanding of the council
men and others now interested that the
way for establishing a paid department
next year would be attended with re-
duced expense and made easier from
an appropriation standpoint. TWO
steamers and a chemical engine were
purchased, horses and permanent men
added, supplies purchased and repairs
made. All this required the passage OF
extra appropriations to the approXi-
mate amount of $4,000 in addition to the
$37, 900 general appropriation for main
tanning the department.
Whenever any of the special appro-
priations We're advocated by the coun-
cilmen now the ardent advocates OF
paid department, considerable opposi-
ton was offered. The measures for in
creasing the efficiency of the service
were, however, passed with the result
that the way Is now more clearly open
to securing "a paid service at greatly
reduced expense.
Details Not Arranged
The details of the ordinance have not
been fully prepared, but The Tribune
has ascertained the text of the measure
and the obstacles which will have to
be overcome, and is able to outline the
plan of action proposed by the city Of
ficials and eouncilmen Immediately In
terested.
While many questions have been en-
countered which mi hit hamper a radi-
cal and successful change from the
volunteer service, all have been prop
erly met, including the question of eX-
pense, which has been considered the
most important item. 1t Is admitted
that the change will incur a compara-
lively small increase in expenditure
small in fact, and small when COM
pared with the benefits which will fol-
low the change.
Based upon the current year. the eX-
penses at the end of the year will ap-
proximate nearly $4,000. 1t is esti-
mated that the highest possible expen-
diture per year for a paid department
will be $4,000, and that If the present
list of sixteen companies Is reduced to
thirteen, the expense will be proportion
ately curtailed. In several sections of
the city two W more companies are To-
Gated unnecessarily close to each other,
while other sections are left unpro-
tected. 1t is the intention to at least
distribute the companies and possibly
reduce the number
VIII Enlist Call Men.
Following the example of other cities
of the size of Scranton, it Is proposed
to employ permanently the least possible
number of men, and enlist what are
termed "call men," who will be paid 80
cents per hour for actual fire duty or a
nominal salary of $3.50 per year. AT
present there are twenty paid men; the
majority of whom are paid part time
while six receive permanent salaries of
5000 year The chief of the depart
ment Is included In the number ,and Is
paid salary Of $1,000. According to
the present understanding, and If ali
the entire department will contain
ninety-five men. There will be five
engine companies of eight permanent
men each on salaries of 5000, total OF
$24 900; eleven hose companies, Ave
men each, $4,000 The number OF
special, or cali men, has not beer
| specified
Estimates by the city controller fol
the fiscal year 1895 must be presented
in council and referred to committed
not later than the first Monday in Janu
afy. 1t Is expected that before this dat
the ordinance providing for a paid de
partment will have been passed by coun
| ellis, though one or more special meet
ings may have to be called in order tC
get the measure through on time. Tn,
ordinance will be presented by Mr.
Finn.
What City Official Says.
In commenting upon the proposed
change, city official prominently con
cerned in the action said to Trlbun,
reporter yesterday:
"Citizens generally are firm in thei
belief that Scranton has one of the mos
efficient volunteer departments in tn,
country. This is undoubtedly true; bu
1t is also true that volunteer system
cannot by any kind Of management b.
as capable as paid service. Othe
cities Of the size of Scranton, and man.
of them smaller, have adopted paid de
partments of necessity and the chang,
in this city has been particularly urgeC
in view of several recent large fires
notably the September fire on Lacka
wanna avenue. N.
1.-THE fact that the present depart
ment is completely equipped does no
argue that our fire precautions coult
not be better, There are OCCASION
when catastrophes can be averted by
properly trained force Of men who figh
fire as vocation. A paid department
conducted under competent manage
ment will probably reduce Insurance.