Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12

TO the house proper, as the contract for
the erection OF that building amounting
&c N,3olso) was awarded after the appro-
priations were made, and was entirely
paid FOR last year: but is due for extra
furnishings and extra work ordered by
the board. In order to get the men and
machines In the building as soon as pos
siole, and not keep the apparatus as far
az the Armory, where too. a great deal
OK trouble was experienced In getting
them out, from the valuable business
interests In the centre of the city.
All OF this work could have been left
over until the appropriations for this
year are available, but the board, again.
Knowing that. under the law. the money
would come, and obeying the injunction
TO do what was reasonably necessary
and proper" ordered the work to be COM
| pleted at once. and the machines AMI
men brought back to where they would
best serve the real and personal inter-
ests of our citizens. AS TO the 500
brought forward on account Of fire.
alarm boxes. the board feels even more
justified, II It were possible, than in the
other purchases; for In this instance the
fire-alarm system. which Is the key
stone of a well-eaupped fire department.
was found to be defective in forty
two OF Its boxes. This had to be reme-
died at once, or the system might fail
at vital moment. 1t could not be done
for less than 81 500 and, as the depart
ment had only 81 coo. that much was paid
on account. and the balance brought for
ward. Again. they did what they
deemed 10 be reasonably necessary and
proper"
MUST HAVE SPECIAL RULES.
The board again respectfully submits
that the Fire and Fire-Alarm depart
ments cannot be properly worked under
rules which might successfully govern
the Gas. Water, and other municipal de-
partments for, while an inadequate supply
OF gas or water might be borne with
comparative discomfort for a month or
two, n crippled or Inefficient fre-servfce
would not. and justly could not, be
tolerated. even for a moment All OF this
goes to show that II was the intention
OF the act, and the board must Of very ne
cessity be allowed the latitude of doing
what they deem to be reasonably ne
cessary and proper" And, too, II this
matter OF waiting for the appropriations
before q purchase can be made, Is to be
rgidly enforced. what are we to do
about feed for the horses and fuel for
the engines? The engines cannot get to
fire without horses. nor can they be
work without fuel.
Referring TO the para graph In the Ac-
countants report. commenting on the
fact that the board deals extensively with
one firm, particularly In the purchase
OF fire-alarm supplies. 1t was due the
board and the Council that the Account
ant should have stated that the name OF
the firm is George B. Gaines e Co.
r. was also imperatvely due, inasmuch
Er4N an tn m
ter at all. that he should have stated
that this firm is the agent for the Game
we'll Fire-Alarm Company, the patentees
and only manufacturers Of the fre-alarp,
machinery and boxes used In this city,
and that nearly three fourths OF the
money paid this firm has been for the
| purchase Of this class of goods.
The contracts for some Of these goods
were maGe in person by Mr.. Gamewell G.
our board meeting. and he said Messrs.
Gaines G. Co. being his agents. the mat
ter must be transacted through that
house. as a matter Of form.
! SURPRISED AT THE ACCOUNTANT.
When this account. which seemed sus-
picious to the Accountant. confronted
him, we wonder that he didn't pursue
the course for which he was employed
| 4. e., scrutinize the bills and see IL
everything was correct. We doubt not
that ne did, and are surprised at the
attempt to besinirch the board with the
scandal OF acting in collusion with its
president to further the interests of this
firm. For other goods this firm was
awarded contracts for the Fire Depart
ment, Just as other firms were. 1t put
in bids along with other firms. and these
\ bids were subjected to honest competi-
| ton. Every contract awarded by the
! Board OF Fire Commissioners was hon
estly and conscientiously awarded, upon
| the merits of the goods alone, and they
! challenge any one 10 prove otherwise
| IN a single instance
NO MORE DINNERS.
In the matter Of inspections, dinners,
and floral designs, the board, at that time,
! felt justified in initiating the example
| set by the honorable Council and its
committees. with whom to-day II is the
| custom; although the board, after the
! first years OF its administration, thought
| Il unwise, and has since refused TO have
them. 1t Is only fair to state, however,
that the old committee turned over the
| department TO the board with a big pa
rade, brass band. and supper (the new
| board believing It to be complimentary
on the part OF the old committee), and
| afterwards sent tne Dill 10 tNe DOdru LOT
payment. This bill be 1t noted. was
| duly audited and paid by warrant on
| the City Auditor. the Accountants state
ment to the contrary notwithstanding.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
with reference TO the charge Of closing
| the door 10 the press, II IS only necessary
10 say that when the board came into
| office II had to reorganize the entire de-
| partment In order to do this numerous
] meetings were held during which, In order
| not to be interrupted, they passed the
resolution referred 10. 1t afterwards was
overlooked for awhile. but when at
| tention was called to II September 3,
| 1859. the resolution was Immediately re-
| scinded and since that time the doors
| have always been open to the public.
Concerning the so-cailed misapplicatlon
| OF the private bank funds. the board sub
| rnits the following statement: The
amount paid Captain Redwood. Morane,
| and others. was paid out of fund es-
| tabllshed by the consolidation of money
! contributed by citizens, in recognition
| of the faithful services rendered by the
firemen. and Of fines deducted from the
nav OF firemen for cause In placing this
| '.fne" money TO this fund. the board
was governed by authority of approval
from the City Attorney. This fund is
| al this time under direct control OF the
! firemen themselves
OTHER MINOR CHARGES.
The bill for the auxiliary fire-alarm
work was for fire-alarm material used
| In the exhibit OF auxiliary apparatus of
| a company which intended TO establish
a plant in this city. The coal given the
Little Sisters OF the Poor was the re-