El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1897-12-09

| After the usual routine gu '1roSS o.
opening the reports of Offic were
calle1 for and read. The president
peyton F. Edwards. made the follow
! ing interest ng report which is given
in full:
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
| To the mem bers of the fire del artment
of t city of Ell PasO: Gentlemen
| hereby submit my report, as presi.
dent of your department for the year
1897.
The report of the chief shows that
the apparatus and appliances in use
era all in first class condition, and the
reports of tn treasurer and secretary
show that there was d 'sbursed by the
treasurer from the general fund $5645.
90, and current expenses paid by the
city council amounting to $1423. 43, to
which should be added the month of
Decem Der, estimated by me at $4,000,
making a total of S1503. 43. The dis
bursements for current expenses by
the city council for the year 1896 was
$lO51. ", showing an apparent incre ase
of current expenses for this year OF
SALT, which increase is accounted
for by the keeping of an extra horse
for some NOR this, repairs of engine and
hook and ladder truck. amounting TO
about $40 90, in this purchase of fold
log beds for the paid men ard the cree
ton of closets for their clothing, and
other repairs which were made in
order to have the department head
qusrters in proper condition to recei i've
the State Fireman's convention: AID
deducting these eX' raOrdinary expenses
and permanent Improvements in the
headquarters and on the apparatus,
the current expenses have been less
than for the year 1896.
Your board enabled the chief to
greatly increase the efficiency of the
department by the adoption of rules
regulating the duties and conduct of
the paid men, who have been required
to wear uniforms when on duty, thus
giving an air of neatne IS and efficiency
to tie headquarters, which rules have
been strictly enforced; and the ordiL-
amended so as to make eX-presidents,
members of the board of directors.
The year has been an extraordinary
one, go far as disastrous fires are pon-
cerned, the Losses having heen very
slight. AS shown by the chiefs report,
the losses are 1896 90 and the insur-
ance $3.50 so, and the city of Ell Paso
is to be congratulated in thus escaping
the ravsges of fire. While this is
ground TO- congratulation, it seems
also to have du1led the appreciation of
department and it's efullness, and re-
posing in them immunity of loss from
fire. they seem to fOre ct the necessity
for constant vigilance and complete
preparation to protect life and property
from the danger to which at any mo-
ment they may be brought face to face.
Our department aud city were honor
ed this year by being selected as the
PLACE for the me- citing of the State
Hi.,nr "a ia mo
in May last, aud were entertained by
the departmen Mt and the city 50 royalty
that the volunteer firemen of Texas
have a warm place In their hearts for
Ell Paso. Our thanks ere especially
due to the patriotic citizens OF Ell PasO
who gave us a volunte r contribution
Of over $500 to make this meeting
q succe 81, and also to the efforts OF
{ itizen=, not members of the fire de-
partment, in extending to the volun-
ter firemen of the state hearty and
pleasant welcome.
Your attention is called to the fact
that the balance of the donation fund
is now orly So 08 ard the burial fund
500 81 and each member is r5que ted TO
contribute so far as his ability lies to-
wards putting the burial fund in better |
condition, as we have not now suffi- |
Gent funds to pay the expenses of q !
fune' al OF membe If we should have |
a death 10 our ranks. |
The city now has a depleted trea-
spry and there is the most urgent |
u necessity for rigid econ my in every |
branch of the city government, and 10 |
{ nforcing the lines of economy, it will |
be the duty Of the directors TO give our |
thoughts and hest effort to as
certain what expenses the department |
can reduce without injuring its eff T,
cheney. In an interview published in |
he FL Paso Times of the 9th, the !
mayor Of the city is made to make the
3 tatemeat that in the event the issue