Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-09
PROTECT THE HALL.
Fire Commissioners 10 Provide Ample
Facilities at the Auditorium,
MUCH TALK ABOUT TELEPHONES.
The board Refuse To Take "a switch-
p""r" from the Old Company
Some Members of The p.,..,u.re
Can't Writc-Other News Matters.

regular meeting of the Board OF Fira
Commissioners was held a, the city Hail
last night those present being Prssldens
frlsehkorn. and Messrs. G. W. and c. F.
Taylor J. l.. Levy, j. r. Sheppard. and
l.. G. jenkins.
MAJOR y. V. Randolph. OF the Confede-
rate Reunion Committee. appeared before
the body and asked for proper fire pro-
lection to the auditorium at the Expos,-
ton-Grounds. on motion OF Mr.. Levy,
II was decided to detail the reserve en-
gine, Truck Company No. g. and four
men In uniform for duty at the EXPOSE
tlon-Grounds on the days of June 9tl,
ana 50th and on July LIST and 2d. 10 assure
proper guarantee against fire.
superintendent Thompson. OF the Fire
Alarm Department. was directed to give
his prompt and most careful attention to
all the electrical apparatus. its connec-
lions, etc, TO be put in the auditorium.
Major Randolph also explained that tho
keunion Committee was somewhat en-
barrasscd by reason OF the fact that it
had no way in which 10 give a signal
ttom Monroe Park on the occasion OF
the Jeif. Davis cornerstone laying. or
july "a. 10 the Richmond Howitzers. who
VIII be stationed at the Lee monument.
50 that they may fire the proposed sa-
lutte at the proper time. The best means
Tor giving this signal were discussed mt
some length. and the board finally in
structed superintendent Thompson TO run
"a wire from Monroe square to the Lee-
monument grounds for this purpose
TIM usIsF rrnrJaN~r. ..t.,.,r ,.,....
superintendent Thompson explained
some points regarding the Richmond tele-
phone system He said that by tho
present system the Fire-Alarm Depart
nent had no exchange or switchboard.
The Superintendent spoke OF the telc-
phone hght now going on here lie stated
that about couple OF years ago he
asked the Southern Bell for a switch
board which was refused Recently.
Colonel McCleur. OF that company, had
offered 10 give the city that piecs OF an
paratus. Superintendent Thompson. how
ever recommended that the board should
now, the patent OF the Bell having ea-
pired. buy its own switchboard This
would only cost about 500.
The matter produced "a great deal oa
discussion. in which Captain Charles T..
Taylor said that he was not willing ta
make any sort Of alliance with the Bell
Ieiephone Company II was remarked
that the city Attorney had given Il az
his opinion that the board had the rlebs
10 accept the switchboard from the Bell
Company. Captain Taylor said he did
not regard the City Attorneys opinion as
law all the time, and was opposed to any
transaction with the old company. Cap-
tain Taylor said the board had received
a letter from Judge s. y. Witt. OF the
-.
man stated that the Board OF Fire Cons
missioners was body composed OF state
officers. and not amenable 10 the city aus
thorities. on motion OF Captain Taylor.
the switchboard question was laid on tho
table Indefinitely.
The Superintendent referred 10 the re,
cent Introduction OF Ne Richmond Tele,
phone Companys plant. and recommend
ed 10 the board the rental OF an in
strument for the central ire-alarrn OF.
fee, In order that the subscribers OF this
company could have proper means fol
reaching the Fire Department by wire.
There was general debate upon tho
matter of having the new company,
phone put In the fre-alarm Office. aud
the board eventually determined that 'i(
would rent the instrument.
CANNOT READ AND WRITE.
Chief Shaw brought to the attent,o,
or the commissioners the fact that on.
or two officers OF the Fire Department
can neither read nor write, which Is on,
Of the elementary requirements OF tn.
department The testimony OF Secretary
Paynter was solicited. and that gentle.
man said that Captain Canary, OF I'm.
gine Company No 3. had never signet
the receipts for his payroll funds. Ha
could not state whether Captain Canary
could read and write or not Tho board
Instructed Chief-Engineer Fuller 10 H.
yestfgate all these cases
After the transaction Of a quantity OF
routine business the board adjourned.