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

president Board OF Fire Commissionersl
aha charter limitations; but In their
nr,,lor a clear, unbiased statement VI
tbcr affairs is due to the taxpayers
7-.e BOARD Of Fire Commissioners un-
..s.tstinglv invite criticism and exami-
,,,1on ~ their affairs. as they are part
~ tho city government, and do not as
s,,-oc that their official acts are perfect
10 this end they invited the examination
of their accounts by the city Accouii.a1.,
br. did not solicit his law Opinions vi
turgestions The act Of the Leglsla'ui
,riiv enpowers the board with the dls-
sr%,to7 ,bev have exercised, for. In the
isrrruaee OF the act itself (see section d.
ibev are explicitly instructed "to take any
ana All such action in the premises as II
nav deem TO be reasonably necessary ana
proper"
AN ACCOUNT FOR EVERYTHING.
The records OF the department are kept
with such attention TO detail that we alc
rot only enabled to chow a duplicate in
voice OF every purchase. but can also ac-
count for every postage stamp, giving
iate, and for what purpose used.
The record OF the private bank account
shows that in seven years he board
received s., ,SS5.56 from the sale OF old ma
terlal Of every description. fire-alarm
boxes. and gongs, and exactly for what
purpose and 10 what extent II has been
dIsbursed. II might be of interest IN TINS
connection 10 note that an examination
Of the Auditors books shows total OF
ns0O3 for the eight years preceding the
board. turned into the city by the
Old Fire Committee. an average or not
quite $3.50 per annum. while from the same
source with the addition of boxes ana
eongs the Fire Board has averaged ana
carefully expended for the benefit of the
dspartment nearly $500 each year, The
balance sheet shows that the board dis
posed Of twenty-five old horses for
slsH 30. and purchased thirty-seven new
ones at a cost Of $4,O37, without any war
rant on the city treasury for their pay
ment II also shows the purchase OK two
nf the new hose wagons Of the very
latest PATTERN and equipment; radical re-
pairs 20 engne-houses and every con-
reivable detail for the general better
mtnt Of the department. 1t will further
Ihow that s.. .SS7 &c were received from the
sale OF flre-alarm boxes, gongs. and con-
ftruction, giving the department clear
profit o. $50 that I'm no sense had any
connection with the city treasury, but
was with pleasure and pride devoted to
the oitys interest in placing new fire.
alarm boxes throughout the city.
SPENT LESS THAN THE COMMITTEE.
1t further shows that the Chief Engi-
neer and superintendent OF Fire-Alarm
were sent TO the National Convention or
Fire Chiefs. at greatly reduced appro-
prations. for where the Council had
formerly allowed 500 each for each trip,
the board has been able to accomplish the
same result at a cost of about $50 for the
tame. These trips have proven of great
value 70 the city. as well as to the offi-
Gers IL was due 10 the Chiefs trip TO the
Louisville convention that the city saved
10 In the purchase Of repeater The
trip Of the superintendent TO Augusta
last year saved. by the adoption OF the
storage battery. 900 or 500 per annum
Tor each coming year.
In view of these facts. the board does
not hesitate TO say that their action in
this natter was certainly reasonably
Necessary and proper.
ACTING UNDER CHARTERED RIGHTS.
With reference to the alleged antici-
patton OF appropriation, the captain of
No. Truck reported last October
hat his truck was In a dangerous con-
oliion and liable TO let down on the way
10 Ire and XIII some OF his men. The
beard then, acting under their chartered
isns, by doing what they deemed 10
pe reasonably necessary aud proper"
knowing that under the law the coun-
CT would appropriate "A fixed amount. and
th2t u would take three months to build
truck. gave an order for one last Mo-
Fember 20 be delivered In February OF
ms year; the bill 10 be dated when the
uuck was delivered, and the city in no.
wise responsible until then. The board
respectfully submits that, had they been
forced 70 walt untll the appropriations
iof this year are available to give the
oidtr Il would probably have been the
mic1le OF May before the first step could
nave been taken. then to allow three
months for building. IL would have been
me middle OF August before the machine
arrived Had loss Of life or accident
happened during the interim. they would
certainly have felt culpable. even had
,aey not been 50 accused. for not doing
what they deemed to be reasonably ne
eessary and proper" In the light OF
subsequent events, the board feels amply
,astlhed IN this purchase. as il would
have been a matter OF utter imposslbilIty
for the Old truck - have accomplished
me ons days work OF the now one at
,he late church ere. and the numerous
other fires started by that one
HOSE AND HEADQUARTERS
The same statement applies 10 the pur-
chase OF hose. The bill Is 70 De dated
at its delivery. and the city VIII only be
responsible at that time; hence. this Is
no anticipation. but reasonably neces-
NY and proper" The 1850 dus on the