The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-05-28
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! council the following communication
| and recommendations;
| To the Hon. Mayor and Council:
\ GeEtlemen-Aclions OF your honor
| able body with reference TO the fire de-
| partment has usually been upon recon-
| mendaiions made by the fire marshal
| The urgent demand on the part OF
| your honorable body that strenuous ei-
| fort be made in the direction OF econ
| omy and that the heads OF departmer. $
| outline the most practical method OF re-
ducing the expenses OF their respective
| departments and at the same time
| maintain as near as possible its present
standard Of efficiency. calls for intel
Egent thought and wise conclusion
such az least as my experience and
knowledge Will permit
That this conclusion will bs,the sub
ject for much comment. argued gro and
con. commentator on one Side:A CEN
sure on the other is very evident
There are but few OF the general pup
lie who acQuaint themselves with the
requirements or necessities for sftfcien
fire protection, how many who read
this article have informed themselves
how 10 alarm the department should
their premises be on fire. and yer. how
many unjustly criticise. | believe II To
be the general opinion of our citizens
The per capita statement accompany
ing this communication will show the
relative expenses of departments IN
cities Of like population and il VIII be
seen that we have not been eNtrava-
CANT but on the other hand maintained
our department as a cost necessary TO
insure good services The clamor for
retrenchment in public affairs extend
20 all sections of our country. and il IS
well advised that economy 10 the extent
that public service is not impaired
should be used, beyond this, IL is no
economy.
An appropriate estimate OF expense
TO maintain the department as now or
ganized for the present year Will be
about SlS.500. TO curtail this expense
and retain nearly as possible It's
present standard OF efficiency. | would
recommend that fire stations number 3
and be closed during the months OF
June. July, August, September and Oc-
tober.
In support of this recommendation. or
plan Of reduction. / will state that dur
ing the summer months the nights are
shorter, people are not In doors as
much as in winter and more liable to
get prompt notice 10 the department.
The streets are better, quicker time is
made in responding 10 an alarm. One
or the most numerous causes OF fire and
one that prove most damaging is from
defective fiues. but few OF the chimneys
being used during the summer months
sreately reduces the number of fires
from this cause. and / deem 10 better
judgment If a reduction in expenses Of
the department be made that II be made
that IL be done at a time when the fire
hazard is not so great.
During the winter season the nights
are longer, people return earlier or re-
main indoors. windows and doors clos
ed. constant fire In both stoves and
furnaces. chimneys in constant use. few
people string about the liability OF fires
10 be futher advanced. Handling OF
frozen hose. roads in bad condition,
makes IL necessary that during the
winter season our department should
be fully equipped. hence / have thought
the above method of reduction the most
practical Those who live in the out
lying districts may claim that my rec
concentration is adverse 10 their In
terest, but / assure all that with the
means at my disposal every effort will
be made in the direction OF good ser
vice. Respectfully submitted.
= G., WALDEN