The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-17
The City Fire Department in a'Cratl-
flying Condition.
PRESIDENT FRISCHKORNS REPORT.
He Makes Several Important Eco"i"i"e"-
dations to the city C"nncii-Abio
Manner In which the Appropria-
lions Were Expended,

wear 10 be OF "A hgh standard A"o 10
port says:
The department. under the skilliui inan'
agcmcnt of chief Engineer W. g. } u'ic'
and his able assistants. mas kNth -"'.'
faction. and they by their influence, nave
,natn,ained the morale and discipline TO a
high degree. making an infraction oil inc
laws very infrequcnt.
IN Is The earnest desire Of this depart
mcnt to work IN fun fellowship VII"
your honorable bodies, and now th"'
proper and satisfactory construction rel.-
tive 20 duties that have been ahdlyH'u'
we feel that when questions arise 'h"'
nre not specifically stated ia inc ch"'t'I
governing us. we can conhdehtiF "Pp'"'
10 you in the full reliance, th"t wren
nossible and not detrimental 10 public m
tcrcsts. you will lend your counsel pom
material and otherwise, and It VIII "uoIu
ms pleasure to lay all such matters nc
fore YOU. fully satisfied with your decl-
sion. ..l.,.
The losses from fire will show a very
sppreciable reduction fIom the preceding
wear. There was only one serious hi''
which was promptly reached ana enl'len.-
ly managed, but totally destroyed. w"
nilude 10 tho Gracc-Strcct Baptist church,
situated i'm the rear of the large rt'ah
dry goods district near Broad ana fou-
shee. which fortunately escaped Ih'Io
were very few notable fires besides ms
but we cannot reach the losses (Which
the insurance companies iurnish) ih uhc
for your January meeting.
GENERAL CONDITION.
Tho condition of the apparatus. houses
and horses. is good and il is the cher
cndeavor Of this Board TO keep II So
fully aware that nothing but continued
vigilance can prevent calamtous iic
The Board during the year PAID every
account known TO them. besides paying me
balance due 10 the central quarters, ana
PAVING for the new truck located IN the
western portion of the city, ana a large
supply OF hose. and expect TO return TO
the treasury an uncXpcnded balance, TO-
eether with the amount received from
the sale of old material, etc. This has
been accomplished only by severe ana
stringent economy. which we believe an
examination will show has always char
acterizcd the management OF the depart
ment.
The department has responded 10 eleven
calls in the county of llcnrico during
the past year and have there prevented
much damage. This action calls for cril-
cisms both favorable and uniaVoranle'
The Board has assumed the position thut
they can refuse no cry for help which can
the city. and have often subducd fires
I'm the large industrials that feed and
clothe so many of our worthy people, re-
curing so much OF our fostering care TO
prevent their removal altogether.
The Board always sends an account OF
damage done to apparatus. etc. 10 the
county authorities, which is always cheer
fully and promptly paid. the receipts from
this source. like all others. being deposited
with the City Auditor.
GET SMALL PAY.
We would most respectfully call your
attention TO the pay of the hIemcn IN TINS
city. There are very few cities that
obtain the services OF men for such small
compensation. A large proportion OF the
men Oh continuous duty receive pitim
sum, when YOU consider that they are
in service every hour day and night, and
are engaged in the most hazardous work,
and they would leave their families dcs-
titute. indeed were il not for the fact
that a generous community. approaching
their efforts, have by unsolicited contfl-
buttons, created a fund amounting 20 at
least 5000 which under an incorporated
board is paid TO the families of the de
ceased members.
The Board of National Underwriters
have echoed the sentiments Of this board
in reference TO an increased permanent
force. the organization OF two additional
chemical companies, and the increase OF
our water mains and supply at certain
points In the city
These recommendations are sometimes
designed as an ultmatum, and are fol-
lowed by increased insurance rates and
they have been recommended ON other
occasions by your humble servants. who
are ready to furnish estimates at your
command. Many of their recommends
lions have already been adopted 10y this
Board. where they carried no increase Of
pay-rolls, and we hope to establish this
fiscal year a combination chemical wagon,
which. We are satisfied will reduce one
OF their suggestions without any increase
OF salaries This board contemplaies
placing a large engine In the central part
OF this city this year, which will still
further reduce their suggestions, trans
ferring a light third-class I'm "a business
district TO replace one now about ready
for the reserve department.
SOME RECOAIMENDATION
The water tower. a new defence against
IRE. and "a feature that no department
can regard itself complete without, Is
what this department earnestly needs. il
protects the lives of the men 10y Keeping
them of ladders and rapidly flooding
building, and is very inexpensive TO
maintain As this requires the employ
ment of at least four men. we recommend
that you give II your consideration.
The city dumps continue TO give the
department Il great deal of unnecessary
work.
We repeat the recommendation 10 sepa-
rate the fire and police departments at
Brook avenue and Marshall street Tor
Of al
We also renew the recommendation for
the appointment OF fire marshal whose
duties would be 20 examine the causes
81 fires. besides the cons trucion Of build
ings.
We continue TO request your honorable
body 20 place more fire hydrants through
ont the city. All information teaches US
that we have less than any city Of our
populatlon. 4 hydrant I'm the centre of
each commercial block IS necessary
We have lived within the scope of our
appropriation. and return balances.
with the exceptioIv0f the payroll OF the
Fire Department. which was exceeded
NV sol 49, which was occas'oned 10y an OK
traordinary expense protecting the Expo
sItion building during the great reunion
ana the Virginia Agricultural ana Me
chanical Society's Fair
FIRE ALARM DEPARTMhNT
The Fire Alarm Department or the ser
vice. continues 10 give satisfaction, and IS
rapidly augmenting under its skiliul
corps OF officers.
In n previous report you were inform
cd about the damage wrought by the