The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-17

possible protection aginst the fire fiend"?
We think not. We know that the question
OF expense will be raised. but shall we wait
until some great and disastrous confia-
grafton overtakes us. at a cost of possibly
millions Of dollars to demonstrate our
needs? The ounce Of prevention Is surely
worth more than the pound of cure.
Recommendations Of Committee.
Therefore, in consideration Of the fore
going, we beg to make the following rec
concentrations, to wit:
Nrst-We recommend that our pres
ent system be reorganized at once into
a full paid department.
Second-We recommend that the office
Of fire marshal and chief Of the fire DEPART
ment be combined, and the salary be nxed
at 81, 500 per year.
Third-We recommend that the disci-
pline of the said department shall be abso-
lutely under the control of the chief, and
that appointments, discharges and sus-
pensions, be made by the mayor. by and
with the advice of the chief
Fourth-We recommend that s. per
month increase be allowed each man for
every years continuous, faithful service
until each captain shall receive 1900 per
year, and each subordinate $40 per year.
In addition to the above We would most
respectfully offer the following resolution.
to wit:
Resolved. That the honorable, the select
and common councils of the city of Scran-
ton. be most respectfully urged to care
fully consider the above, with the end in
view of speedily enacting the necessary
legislation for a paid fire department.
Respectfully submitted.
F. l.. Hitchcock.
Chairman;
]. II. Steel.
Sol. Goldsmith.
MIR. Kemmercr's Figures.
In discussing the report a statement
of peculiar Importance was made by
Mr. Kemmerer He referred to recent
visit to this city by certain officers of
the State Association of Fire Under
writer's. Their presence here was for
business reasons and before leaving
they announced that cents would be
deducted from each insurance rate,
whether the rate be &c. GO 20 or any
amount of cents per 800, If paid fire
| department Is adopted; that another
cents would be deducted for altering
the present alarm system to a direct
system, and that cents would be de-
Quoted for automatic boxes-that is
boxes without keys. These figures said
Mr.. Kemmerer. promise a total reduc-
| tion of II cents from each rate II
would save Bittenbender & Co. $2O4 per
year, and would reduce the cost Of in
surance In other enterprises in which
| Mr.. Kemmerer in directly interested
81 l,O2O per year. Assuming that $5O,000,-
900 of insurance is carried in Scranton,
about $S5,OOO would be saved on pre-
1Na ct
further rate reduction of cent for each
steamer added to the citys fire appar-
atus.
Address by r. w. Luce.
r. W. Luce, chairman of the public
safety committee delivered an inter-
esting address on the matter of protec-
ton against fire.
Mr.. Luce, to a motion that the special
committees report be adopted. offered
an amendment to strike out the second
clause, which recommended merging
the offices of the chief and fire marshal
and approving the ordinance now be-
fore councils creating the fire marshal
Office and making 1t distinct from that
of chief Of the department. The amend.
ment was adopted.
President w. A. May and Colonel F
l.. Hitchcock were elected delegates
and Secretary Atherton and Luther
Keller alternates to the National BOARD
of Trade meeting in Washington, Jan
2S
Captain May was nominated for pres
ident, and the nominations were de.
clared closed before he had an opportu'
nifty to express his wish In the matter
]. r. Porter and Luther Keller were
nominated for vice president. A. w
Dickson for treasurer, ID. b. Anterior
for secretary and William Connell tt
succeed himself as trustee for three
years. The election will take place al
| the January meeting.