Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-29
Recommendations Made by Chief
Paris in His Annual Report.
CONDITION OF TIE RELIEF FUND
An Increase of Salary for all the
Force Asked For.
OTHER SUGGES TION

Commissioners this afternoon.
| During the year the discipline Of the de-
| partment, he says, has been excellent, and
| a strict observance Of the rules in all cases
required.
| Perhaps the most important feature of the
| report is that relating to the need of new
companes. In this connection Chief Farris
| says:
I'VE need more apparatus. The depart
ment is very seriously hampered by its
| lack of sufficient apparatus End adequate
number of companies to properly protect the
| large area and valuable property for which
| 1t is responsible. Each year brings en- in
| crease in buildings, and an increase, in
many cases, of the territory of the various
| companies. Most notably of those situated
in the vicinity of the suburbs. In the bust
ness portions of the city more costly and
large structures are being constructed from
| time to time, and in consequence the value
| OF property subject to fire risk is fast grow
| Ing. The present companies, though very
| efficient, but which, in all, number but nine
| engine and three truck companies, are. of
necessity, far apart, that each locality may
| have as just a division of the means at
command for its protection as possible.
THE result of this enforced condition of
having the companies SO much scattered
may at any time work serious loss possibly
of life, and of much valuable property, as a
large fire occurring in one locality may de-
mand the assembling of the entire depart
ment at one point, and during such con-
centration of the force an equally urgent
call on the department is liable to come
from some distant district. The result must
then be that part of the department must
be withdrawn from fire number one and sent
to the scene of fire number two, showing
conclusively the necessity of the department
having reserve in readiness at all times,
should an occasion of such a nature present
itself. We should have at least three more
truck and five more engine companies, and
by the addition of the above named COM
panies the department would be very much
benefited. The expense of maintaining a
well-equipped and effective fire department
is but very trifling matter when compared
to the loss which must of necessity result
where department is embarrassed by lack
of sufficient force and apparatus. This has
been in many instances demonstrated in the
history and experience of other large cities,
and 1t would seem wise for us to heed the
lessons taught by experience. The need of
more companies and the necessary equip
ments and apparatus for same is most re-
spectfully recommended"
The Relief Fund.
Chief Paris does not forget the relief
fund, AMI in referring to this subject says:
THE necessity OF action by Congress to-
ward establishing a permanent relief fund
for the department, which will be of some
service to the men and the widows Of men
who have toiled year after year and lost
their lives in the service, seems apparent
Then there are men now on the rolls in
capdcitated for active duty, by reason of
their long and faithful service, who should
be retired, but owing to the depleted con-
dition of the relief fund, we are compelled
to carry on the regular rolls or turn them
cut to become paupers Upon the commun-
tty. This is manifesty unjust. The re-
ceipts deducted monthly from the pay Of
the members viii only equal about one
third of the monthly expenses. From the
nature of the service in which they are
engaged accidents are liable to occur al any
time that may disable more of them for
duty, aud from the cleager state of the re-
serve fund their chance for aid from that
source is very poor. Should Congress grant
our request for aid such as / have asked
II would be the means of establishing n
permanent relief fund, and at the same
Tune Dc sllsht advance of the pay of all
employees, which would be greatly appre-
clatcd by the department in general and
which should, by all means, be granted"
During the year there were l41 applica-
tions for positions in the department re-
ceived, thirty-four Of whom were qualified
by the surgeons.and fifteen We're appointed.
More Fire Plugs Needed.
Under the head Of fire plugs Chief Paris
has this to say:
AS to the question Of fire plugs, i deem
1t advisable to renew my request of several
years. With the water permeating every
section or the entire city, and an adequate
number OF fire plugs, comparative safety
would be insured and many serious confa-
grations avoided. The vast area Of the CITY
demands immediate attention to this mat
ter The total number of fire plugs in the
city at present is 1,49S, which is insufficient
Tor protection from fire. l respectfully
recommend that the addition of at least
800 is necessary to be located in the most
suitable places, as our lead Of hose in the
iC ,l,n
200 feet"
During the year there were 241 alarms
OF fire. The estimated loss was $2O2 AL
covered by an insurance of $I45. l39 against
a loss of S33sI71, covered by an insurance
OF S2O923 for the preceding year.
Increase of Pay Recommended.
Under the head of salaries, Chief Paris |
recommends an increase of % per cent in |
the pay of all employees of the fire depart |
ment. He says in this connections: LAS |
seen by the statement herewith, have the |
amount of salary now received by the diff |
ferent employees of the department and |
have also submitted a general increase of |
20 Per cent on the salary of all employees, |
one-haH OF the above increase to revert to |
the pei sion fund.- which is at the present |
time In a very bad financial condition. l |
would earnestly urge upon you the justice
OF said increase. The duties of the firemen
are such that their lives are frequently
risked in an endeavor to save their fellow |
beings and in guarding and protecting val
liable property. This fact was fully demon
strated at the recent serious CONFEDERATION
at the Knox Express building fire. when
three of my men were killed and six or
seven others injured in such way that il
will be impossible for some of them to do
active duty again.
Bad Condition of the Pension Fund.
1T would seem but fair that they should
be more literally compensated Their
salaries, even with such increase as
have asked, would then be less than that
paid by other cities of smaller popula-
ton.
Il earnestly ask your hearty co-operation
toward securing the above named Increase
The pension funl as you will readily see
by the following tables, is in a very bad
condition financially. At the present time
there is deducted from the pay OF 1:,S mem |
bers the sum Of 81 per month, making a
total for one year of 81 ,656 We are paving
to twelve pensioners the sum of $685. per |
month, making a total yearly of S4G2O.
thereby showing deficit of 81 964 yearly. |
The only way in which the department can
overcome this deficiency is Ivy receiving do
nations and giving an annual excursion.
selling tickets and appealing to the citizens
of Washington whom, it seems, at all times |
are ready and willing to help the depart
al rfak |