Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-15
FIRE SERVICE COST.
The Estimate for the Next Year IRE
pared by Chief Paris.

Chief Paris of the fire department has
submitted to the Commissioners an esti-
mats Of the amount required for the proper
conduct Of the service during the next
fiscal year
In all he asks for an appropriation of
sl53,675. This includes an increase Of 25
per cent in the salary Of all employees
II 1-2 per cent of which is to. go to the
hremen's relief fund. A new engine COM
pany is asked for Anacostia, and an estf-
mate made for the replacement of the old
truck for the third district with new
aerial truck. .- -"r-v' ,-'s.
the members of the department Chief Paris
says: ...
las seen by the statement herewith,
have given the amount of salary now re-
ceived by the different employees of the de-
partment, and have also submitted gen.
eral increase of % per cent On the salary
OF all employees, one-ha1f of said increase
to go to the pension fund, which Is at the
present time almost exhausted. / would
earnestly urge upon you the justice of such
increase - - ,'o'--.-.' d
THE duties of the firemen are such that
their lives are frequently risked In their
endeavor to save their fellow beings and
to save and protect valuable property. This
TACT was fully demonstrated at thes Knox
Express fire, when three of my men were
killed. and some six or seven of my men
were injured in such ways that it will be
almost impossible for some Of them to do
active duty again. For the hard, trying
and dangerous duties the firemen are called
upon to perform 1t would seem but fair
that they should be more liberaIly compen-
stated. The salaries of the men, even with
such increases as l have asked, would be
far below that of other cities. ] earnestly
ask your hearty cooperation toward Sc
curing the above named increase.
Bad Condition.
THE pension fund.- as you will readily
see by the following table, is in a very bad
condition finar cially. At the present time
there is deducted from the pay of 13S MEM
bers the sum of 81 per month, making a
total for one year of sl,656; and we are pay
ing to twelve pensioners 1885 per month
making total for the year of $500. and
showing n yearly deficit of s2964.
The only way in which the department
can overcome this deficiency is by receiv-
ing donations and giving an annual excur-
sion, selling tickets and appealing to the
general public of Washington and vicinity
whom, II seems, are at all times ready and
willing to help the department in all its
undertakings. l do sincerely hope that
Congress Will see the necessity of prompt
action and grant our request for aid such
as would obYiate the necessity of our being
objects of public charity. There are now in
the department ten or twelve men who are
eligible for retirement l would most re-
spectfully recommend that these men, who
have become physically unable to perform
regular fire duty, be placed on the pension
roll or assigned to duty as watchmen and
strong. able-bodied men appointed in their
places. by such changes the department
would be greatly benefited.
In asking for machinist and engineer
under the direction of the chief engineer
at salary of sf,2UO per annum 1 feel con-
fdent that the saving to apparatus would
more than justify the outlay.
Il have estimated for a new truck to re-
place the old one now In use at truck COM
parry b. The new aerial trucks are far su-
perior to the old style. The saving of time
In subduing fires and saving life is often
worth more than the price of new truck
In estimating for a new house for engine
company No. =, l do so In the Interest of
the health of the men, the present location
not being at all desirable, and the house
hardly fit for habitation. 1 earnestly hope
you will give this your favorable consider
alton, as 1 deem 1t of the greatest import
Gnce. l estimate for a new engine COM
pany Ill Anacostia, which place is at the
present time sadly in need of fire protection
and should. by all means be provided for
In estimating for an increase of men. L would
say Congress has already provided for
house and lot and furniture in the northeas st
section, but has failed to provide men or
apparatus for the same. l do sincerely
hope that your honorable body will urge
upon Congress the necessity and Importance
OF my requests, as l have only asked for
such items and increases as are absolutely
necessary"