Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-13

were so far remote that II was necessary TO
lay out 1000 or more feet of hose in order
TO reach the lire. This impetics the working
OF the department. causes a loss of valu-
aDie time anu results In much unnecessary
damage.
During the past year fifty new hydrants
were erected, making a total OF l.sl7 now i'm
service In the District of Columbia II can
readily be understood that with an area
OF seventy-two square miles this number OF
nre MIGRANTS is entirely inadequate. The
erection OF zoo mere is recommended. and
IL Is sincerely hoped that this recommended
tlon VIII not only receive passing attention,
but that the hydrants Will be purchased
ana erected in the most advantageous To-
calities.
Fire Alarm Boxes
The question of fire alarm boxes is also
One OF great Importance. More of them
Is an absolute necessity. There are Sec
tons of our city where IL is necessary to
go eleven or twelve blocks before a fire
alarm box can be reached Such A state
or affairs should not exist. BY being conn
PEELED TO go such a distance from the
scene OF fire much valuable time Is lost
rot only By the time consumed in reachin.,
the box to send in the alarm bat as all
&C mparies respond direct to the box per-
Taps in a direction entirely different TO
that In which the fire Is located. after
!,
ZION OF the fire there is a loss of tine that
Means much 10 the citizens whose property
Is burning. Our department responds TO
an alarm OF fire with all possible speed
but as long as the fire alarm boxes are
located so distant from each other If car
not be expected that the department will
be aDie to keep the losses down TO a figure
iEat IL would he Possible TO If We had
more fire alarm boxes.
During the year just closed but tAo new
BOXES were erected. one al 18th AMI Cliff
ton streets northwest, and the other ut
Garfield Hospital. During the present wear
II is the intention to erect at least thirty
enc.
1T is hoped that during The next year
many mere boxes will be put in service.
so that IL win h possible for our citizens
TO receive better protection from fire than
is offered at the present time
An account Of the firemcn's relief fund
Is given, showing balance June 80 of
SS25.yS.
The Fire LOSS.
In conclusion the report says:
There were 2l2 alsrms of fire or 32i
local or silent alarms, for whicn no bells
were sounded. which were answered by
the department, making a total of $50
fires during the year. This is "A decrease
of thirty eight bell alarms and an increase
of fifty local alarms. as compared with the
year ended June 80. 1886. The estimated
loss eptaiied Was $2y1, 1o5 covered ny an
insurance OF S116,;r55. against loss of $751;
Oi9, insurance sl99,G19 for the preceding
year
In conclusion. beg to return my thanks
TO the Commissioners for the courtesy at
all times extended me; TO my two assist
ants, and the officers and men under lay
command; TO the major, officers and mem
Lers of the police force. and also to the
superintendent of the fire alarm &c. and
the operators connected with his office. all
of whom have rendered valuable service
making 1t easier for me TO fulfill the vari-
GUS and important duties intrusted TO me-"