The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-12

waiting
purchase can be made Is 10 DO rigidly
enforced what are we 10 DO about feed
| for the horses and fuel for the engines7
The engines cannot get to fire without
| horses. nor can they be worked without
| fuel.
DEALING WITH ONE FIRM.
Referring TO the paragraph in account
ants report commenting on the fact that
the board deals extensively with one frm.
particularly In the purchase OK nre-alarm
supplies, II was due the board and the
| Council that the accountant should have
stated that the name Of the firm - Geo.
| g. Gaines * Co.
IL was also imperatively due, inasmuch
as he saw TT 10 comment on this matter
at all. that he should have stated that
| this firm IS the agent for the Gameweli
| Fire-slarm Company, the patentees ana
! only manufacturers or the Ere-alarm ma
| chinery and boxes used In this city, and
| that nearly three-fourths or the money
pald this firm has been for the purchase OF
| this class OF goods.
The contracts for some OF these goods
were made in person by Mr.. Gamewell
| at our board meeting, ana ne SAID, Messrs'
| Gaines 6, Co, being his agents the mat
fer must be transacted through that mouse
as matter OF form.
when this account, which seemed sus-
| piaious to. the accountant confronted
| him. we wonder that he didn't pursue the
course for which he s~employec-i. e.
| scruunize the bills. and see II everything
was correct. We doubt not that he AID.
! and are SURPRISED at the attempt TO be-
smirch the board with the scandal OF act
ing I'm collision with its president TO
! furtber the interests Of this firm.
For other goods, this firm was awarded
contracts for the Fire Department just
as other firms we're. II pat in bids along
with other firms and these bids were
subjected 10 honest competition. Every
| contract awarded by the Board OF Fire
| Commissioners was honestly and consci-
entiously awarded upon the merits OF the
goods alone, and they challenge any one
TO prove otherwise In single instance
In the matter OF inspections,
| dinners. and floral designs. the
board at that time felt justi-
| fed in Initiating the example set by
the honorable Council and its committees,
although the board after the first years
of its administration thought II unwise
and has since refused 10 have them. IL
IS only fair TO state. however that the
old committee turned over the department
10 the board with a big parade. brass
band, and supper, the new board believ-
ing Il 70 DO complimentary on the part oil
the old committee. and afterwards sent
tho bill 10 the board for payment. TINS
bill. be II noted, was duly audited, ana
paid by warrant on the City Auditor, the
accountants statement 10 tho contrary
Notwithstanding.
with reference 10 tho charge OF closing
the door to the press It IS only necessary
20 saw that when the Board came into
Office II had TO reorganize the entire De-
partments. in order TO do this numerous
meetings were held during which, in order
not TO be interrupted. they passed the res
olutlOn referred TO. II afterwards was
overlooked for while, but when atten-
ton was called TO II September 9Th lss9.
the resolution was Immediately rescinded
and since that time the doors have always
been open 10 the public.
PRIVATE BANK FUNDS
Concerning the socalled misapplicauon
Of the private bank funds. the board sub
mits the following statement
Tie amount pah CAPTAIN Redwood
Morano and others was paid out or
fund established by the consolidation OF
money contributed BY citizens, in recogni-
ton OF the faithful services rendered by
the fremen and Of fines deducted from the
pay Of nrcmen for cause.
In placing this "nne" money 10 this fund
BOARD
approval from the city Attorney.
This fund IS az this time under direct
control OF the nrcmen themselves.
The bin for the auxiliary fire.
alarm work was for fre-alarm
material used I'm the exhibit
Of auxiliary apparatus Of company
which intended TO establish plant in this
city.
The coal given the Little Sisters OF the
Poor. was the remainder Of load given
the Department by the Chesapeake and
Ohio railway company, for trial In our
engines. with n view 10 selling the De-
partment. II proved unsatisfactory,
however and as 10 was taking up the
storage-room OF the coal regularly used,
the board gave II to this worthy institu-
ton.
In giving the hose TO the markets, tho
Board thought II was doing another very
praisoworthy act, inasmuch, as this gift
saved the city probably one hundred
and fifty dollars the price the markets
would have 10 pay FOR new hose While
that given was condemned hose of the
department and unfit for fire service, IT
answered every purpose Of the markets
and saved the purchase Of new.
The Superintendent Of Fire-Alarm was
not authorized to sell old copper and use
the money. If the Accountant had read
all OF the paragraph in the record. he
would have found that. vote was taken
and the proposition lost.
In loaning hose 10 the Exposition. the
Board was under the impression that they
were doing an act that would help the city
10 protect its interest In the buildings. on
which they were informed the city had
large mortgage and the same time pro-
tect the exhibits Of our citizens whose
taxes support the Department.
In giving turkeys 10 the stationmcn.
tho Board was moved by the fact that
then the stationmcn wore continuously
on duty day and night and subject 10
hard service. and not allowed n day of
I'm every ten as at present but the practice
has long since been discontinued.
With reference 10 eXtendiIN tf>a fire
alarm system othc county il is but
just. 10 state that the Council inaugurated
the work. ana when the Board took charge
they found the boxes at the Cedar Works
and Richmond Locomotive and Machine
Works put there by the Council.
The amount charged against us for re-
treatments was for expenses incurred In
providing food for fremcn while
continuously at work upon dan
gerous and long lasting fires
and also for the entertainment Of
visiting fire companies 20 this city.
Inspection Greatly dinners and suppers)
this amount was used CONFORMITY with the
Police Board IN an annual inspection. also
entertaining the Mayor and other Off
cials from Winston. y. c.. who came here
to inspect our department officially.
Expenses OF Chief 80. this amount
Is for seven annual conventions is sub