Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-17

Below is given IN full the annual re-
port Of the Fire Department, which has
Just been laid before the City Council:
Ofice of Board Fire Commissioners,
City Hall.
Richmond, Va. January l, 1897.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and City
Council of Richmond, Va:
Gentlemen,-Section II OF the statute
concerning the Fire Department pro-
vides that the Board Of Fire Commits
sioners shall report 70 your honorable
bodies in the months OF January and
July, especially In reference to the con-
dition of the department, and all mat
tiers germane thereto, which law the
board has regularly complied with, and
we now desire 10 add this our report
of the operations of the department for
the year 1896. with such general informa-
ton as may be of interest to your honora-
BILE bodies.
The department under the skilful
management of Chief-Engineer w. G..
Fuller and his able assistants has
given satisfaction, and they by their
influence have maintained the morale
and discipline 10 a high degree, making
an infraction of the laws very infrequent.
1t is the earnest desire Of this depart
ment to work In full fellowship with
your honorable bodies. and now that a
proper and satisfactory construction re-
lative TO duties has been reached, We
feel that when questions arise that are
not specifically stated in the charter
20 confidently
TO you in the full reliance that when
possible and not detrimental TO public
interests, you will lend your counsel,
both material and otherwise, and 1t will
AFFORD us pleasure to lay all such mat
tiers before you. fully satisfied with your
decision.
The losses from fire will show very
appreciable reduction from the preced-
ing year. There was only one serious
fire. which was promptly reached and
efficiently managed. but the property
was totally destroyed. We allude to the
Grace-Street Baptist church. situated in
the rear of the large retail dry-goods
district near Broad and Foushee, which
fortunately escaped
There were very few notable fires be-
SIDES this. but we cannot reach the losses
(Which the insurance companies furnish)
In time for your January meeting.
GENERAL CONDITION.
The condition OF the apparatus, houses.
and horses Is good, and Ii is the chief
endeayor OF this board to keep Il so.
fully aware that nothing but continued
vigilance can prevent q calamitous fire.
The board during the year paid
every account known TO them, besides
paying the balance due on the central
quarters, and paying for the new truck
located in the western portion I the
city and large supply Of hose, and tx-
pect 10 return 10 the treasury an lnex-
pended balance. together with the amount
received from the sale OF old material.
etc. The has been accomplished only by
severe and stringent economy which we
believe an examination will show has
always characterized he management OF
the department.
The department has responded 10 eleven
calls in the county Of Henrico during
the past year, and has there prevented
much damage. This action calls forth
criticisms. both favorable and unfavora-
BILE. The board has assumed the position
that they can refuse no cry for help
which can be answered. while thoroughly
protecting the city. and have often SUBJ
dued nres In the large industriAs that
feed and clothe so many OF our worthy
people. requiring so much OF our fostering
care TO prevent their removal altogether.
The board always sends an account OF
damage done 10 apparatus. etc. TO the
county authorities. which In always cheer
fully and promptly paid. the receipts