The Washington times., 1894-08-16
President Cleveland Has Signed the
Permanent Assessors Bill.
FIRE CHIEF PARRIS' ESTIMATES
He Asks General Increase Of Is Per Cent
on salaries-Organized Labor Wants Ele-
vator Laws Enforced-Regulation to Be
Made Governing the Speed Of Bicycles.

yesterday, and it was not stated by the Com
missioners when action upon this important
matter may be expected. The opinion was
expressed yesterday that the appointes are
already agreed upon by the board of Com.
missioners, but when questioned each of the
board said, "No action has yet been taken. -
Just before the adjournment yesterday
| evening Commissioner Truesdell informed a
| TINES reporter that the bill under which the
board is created had been signed by Presi-
| dent Cleveland.
Chief Paris, of the fire department yester-
day submitted to the Commissioners his esti-
mate of the expenses of his department for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1896. The
amount of appropriation asked for is Sl53, ,675.
an increase of S33, ,255 over the appropriation
| for the current year. The itemized estimate
| is as follows:
One chief engineer. 81. 800; two assistant
chiefs at 81 500 each, S3, 600; one fire marshal,
81, $50; one clerk, Sl,l25; thirteen foremen,
Sl.250 each, SIG, $50; nine engineers, 81, $50
| each, S11 1.250; nine foremen, S1,050 each,
| $3.50; three tillermen, Sl,050 each. $3.50;
fourteen hostlers, 81 ,050 each, S14 700; eighty
| six privates, 81 900 each, SS6,000; six watch
men, $50 each, S4,500; one veterinary sur
geon, $500. In each instance the salary is
| increased.
| The miscellaneous estimate is: For repairs
to engine-houses, $500: repairs to apparatus
and new appliances, SO, 900; purchase of hose,
| S4.500; fuel, $4,000; horses, Si,500; forage,
| SIS. 500; contingent expenses. $500; house,
lot, and furniture for engine company No. 2,
| S25, 800; house. lot. and furniture for one en-
| gine-house. 500. GOO; two new engines, S4,5O0
! each $1,000; one new hose-carriage, $500;
repairs TO apparatus, 81 200; six additional
| watchmen, "a 500 Additional force is asked
for as follows: Two foremen, $500; two en-
| gineers, $500; two iiremen, S2,100; two
hostlers, S2,l00; twelve privates. $4,000;
eight horses, $4,000; one new turn-table truck
| to replace old style, $500.
CHIEF PARRIs' SUMMARY.
The chief says in his summary: 81 have
submitted general increase of % per cent.
on the salaries of all employees, one-half to go
to the pension fund, which is at present
almost exhausted. l would earnestly urge
upon you the justice of the increase. 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 pro-
tect valuable property. This fact was fully dem
onstrated al the recent serious confagration
at the Knox express fire. when three of my
men were killed and some six or seven in
jured in such way that 1t will be almost i'm
possible for some of them to do active duty
again. Even with the increases l have asked
the salaries of the men would be far below
that of other cities
The pension fund is in a very bad condi-
ton financially. At the present time there is
deducted from the pay of 1873 members the
sum of Il per month, making a total for one
year of 1855. We are paying TO twelve
pensioners $685. per month. or S4.620 per
year, showing an annual deficit of -. .964
The only way in which the department can
overcome the deficiency is by receiving dona-
tions, giving annual excursions, selling tick
cts and appealing to the generous public of
Washington and vicinity l do earnestly
hope that Congress will see the necessity of
prompt action and grant our request for aid
such as would obviate the necessity OF our
becoming objects of charity.
There are now in the department twelve
men who are eligible for retirement / would
most earnestly recommend that they be
placed upon the pension roll, or assigned to
duty as watchmen. and new strong, able
bodied men be appointed in their places
The saving to apparatus would he declares,
more than justify the outlay for the machinist
and engineer asked for; the saving of time in
subduings fire suggests the request for a new
truck for Company B; the new hose for En-
gine Company No. 2 is required in the interest
of the health Of the men; the new engine COM
pany is for use in Anacostia. and is suggested
by reason OF the great need there for protec-
tion against fire; and as Congress has already
provided for house, lot, and furniture in the
northeast section. hut failed to provide for the
men. the chief recommends action to COM
plete arrangements for the equipment of
company.
The chief concludes by saving that as he
has only asked for such things as he actually
requires he hopes the Commissioners will urge
upon Congress the necessity Tor the appro-
priation.
FOUL oDoRs FROM SEWER.
Health Officer Woodward recommends i'm
mediate stems to abate the nuisance occa-
stoned by the foul odors arising from the
sewer at the southeast corner of Nineteenth
and streets northwest. complained of by L.
V. O'Toole. The matter WAS yesterday re-
ferred to the engineer department.
s. Fl. Kaufman has addressed letter to
the Commissioners, in which information is
asked concerning the removal of sweepings
from Highland Terrace. II is said they have
not been taken away since last April, and the
Commissioners are requested to have the con-
tractor TO do his duty, as the public health is
menaced by the decomposition permitted on
that highway.
letter has been addressed by the Com
missioners to the mayors OF New York, Phila-
dephia, Chicago, Baltimore Pittsburg and
st. Louis, respectively. asking for the copy or
the text OF any regulations that may be in |
force in each of the cities concerning the |
speed of bicycles upon the public streets The |
Commissioners are meditating the adoption |
of an ordinance TO limit the speed Of wheel |
men in the city. and will use the information |
gained as a basis of action.
Reouisition of Samuel S. Shedd. treasurer,
for the sum of $4,000 to be placed to his |
credit, under tho appropriation for ''the |
National Homeopathic Hospital" j" has been |
approved by the Commissioners and trans
mitted to the Hon. Secretary of the Treas
ury. with the request that warrant be |
issued. Requistion for $3.50, to be placed to
tho credit OF st. Joseph's Male Orphan
Asylum, has been approved by the Commits
sioners. with the recommendation that war
rant be issued in favor of Sister Euphrasia
Mahony, treasurer. Req1lisition for 81. .125,
made by st. Rose Industrial School. has been
approved by the Commissioners, and warrant
in favor of Sister Clara Maloney. president,
recommended. Warrant for SO, 900 has been
also requested of the Treasury in favor of
William B. Gurley. treasurer of the Central
Dispensary and Emergency Hospital
building permits were granted Yesterday
rs follows: l.. J. BRYANT. for the erection of a
brick dwelling at No. 1905 Connecticut ave-
nue. northwest, $4,000. X. T. Holden. for a
private stable rear of No. Sl4 Sixth street
southwest. S600 John F. Stewart, two frame
dwellings on Stevens avenue, 81 GOO.
The following permits for repairs were also
issued: John Scanlon, repairs to dwelling at
No. ZIG Twenty-fourth street northwest. $500;
was stopped short by some one coming to-
ward him in the bend in the road, and the
next moment he stood face to face with a