The morning times., 1895-09-21

The annual report of the chief of the
District Fire Department, recently sub
mitted 10 the Commissioners elaborately
details the operations of that important
branch of the public service for the past
fiscal year
Chief Paris states the number of engine
houses occupied as thirteen. and says:
1T is my Intention in order to give the
business portions of the city the best pos
sible protection against fire, to place the
chemical engine company, now located in
the house of truck company C. in the quar-
tiers to be vacated by engine Company No. 2.
1.-The house occupied by engine Company
No. 4 is entirely too small for the purpose.
and is in bad repair. This house should
be replaced with one of more modern
improvements"
EFFICIENT, BUT HAMPERED.
The chief says, that, Dotwithsta nding its
high degree of efficiency, the department
is seriously hampered by it's lack of an ade-
quate force and necessary apparatus to pro-
tect the property for which il is responsible.
"Too much cannot be said,' he observes,
regarding the necessity for increased fire
|. facilities. 1t is of the utmost Importance
that the department be granted the appro-
priatioDs asked for.
in the number of companies, and in ap-
paratus, the district of each will be mar
rowed and the department will be nabled
TO keep a reserve force and thereby meet
any emergency that may arise"
He recommends that an appropriation
for two additional engine companies be al
lowed.
The chief renews his recommendation OF
preceding year for an increase OF 10 PEI
cent on the pay of the members of the de-
partment. The pay of the men, lie says,
has only been increased on ce since the organ
kation of the force, and that was an advance
of but So per month in the salaries OF the
privates.
Reference is made TO the recommendation
of the Commissioners OF last year for the
10 per cent increase and to the petition to
the same effect which was presented TO
Congress and contained &c, ,543 names of
leading business men. He also recon-
mends that the pay of the clerk be increased
from $500 TO 81 200 per annum.
HELP FOR PENSION FUND.
Referring 10 the appropriation of $4,000
as contribution to the department pension
fund. the chief SAYS ii is his intention to
tbandon the excursion plan for raising
money for that object and hopes the next
Congress will make another appropriation.
The department Is paying seventeen
pensions. amounting to S425 per month,
and there are now six men who should be
relieved from duty. He believes $4,000
shoLld Degiven by Congress annually Tor the
relief of the pension fund.
Seven men resigned from the force during
the year, eight were removed, and six
deaths occurred. There were two re instate--
ments, and two reductioDs in rank.
Thechiefinsists that practicalmachinist
and engineer be employed to take charge
OF the repairs.
The apparatus now in use consists OF
eleven engines. nine in service and two in
reserve; two chemical engines, twelve hose
carriages, nine in service and three in re-
serve. and four trucks, three in service and
one in reserve.
He again urges that there be an Increase
in the number OF fire plugs. Conflagrations
may be avoided, he thinks, by greater ia
cilities in this particular. The total num-
Der of fire plugs now in the District is ,6SS
and the chief wants 800 added.
FIRE Ma ARSHAL'S STATISTICS.
Fire Marshal Drew, in his report, shows
that the total loss incurred by fire, reported
on regular alarms, during the year, was
S603,2S0, on which there was an insurance
of S290,2T5;f loss reported on stil alarms,
S30,155; insurance, S12,6S0.
Chief Paris estimates for his department,
forthe year ending une30, s91, as follows:
One chief engineer, $4,000; two assistants,
each, 81, $50; one marshal, 81, $50; one clerk,
81 200; fourteen firemen, each, 81, $50;
ten engineers, each, 81 ,150; ten firemen,
each, $3.50; three tiilermen, each, S966;
fifteen hostlers, each, S966; ninety-two
privates, each, $500; six watchmen, each,
$3.50; one veterinary surgeon, S460. These
estimates provide for the 10 per cent.
increase.
The two new companies asked for call
for an appropriation OF S1T,So4.
For repairs, fuel, horses, forage, and
contingent expenses he asks for $4,000,
and for the purchase OF one aerial turntable
truck, to replace an old one, S3,500; to
exchange old-style engine for one of
modern construction, $4,000.