The herald., 1897-05-13
OILT IVNV w AND
Move for a Full Paid Fire
Department
THE Initiative STEP TAKEN
PLAN PROPOSED BY COMMITS
SIONER WELLS
THE INITIATIVE STEP TAKEN
Additional Apparatus to Be Procured
for the Annexed Territory-Clty
Hall Notes

At the meeting off the, fire commission
ers Yesterday morning the preliminary
stem wac taken toward the reorganiza-
ton of the fire department on full paio
basis. The matter was called up py
Commissioner Wells, who stated that
he had been investigating the present
condition of the department, as result
of which he had reached the conclusion
that the call system could be done away
with and the force reorganized on iuil
paid basis for practically the same
amount which is now expended. In ex-
planning his views Mr.. Wells said that
at the present time, while the permanent
men. who are on duty all the time, are
paid good salaries, the greater part OF
the force are retained on very small sal
ariee, only SIS per month, and are only
subject to call-that is, when an alarm Is
turned in.
This system is not satisfactory; 1t Is
impossible 10 maintain the necessary dis
cipline to obtain the best results, and be-
sides men do not enter the department as
q business under this eystem, but only
as a makeshift until something better
turns up. BY a proper system OF grading
and by the enforcement of civil service
rules all this could be changed. and the
expense would be but trifle more, If
any. to the tax payers. He would have
three or four grades. new men to enter,
of course. at the lowest, and when they
came into the department 1t should be
on the distinct understanding that their
positions were permanent, 80 long as they
conducted themselves properly, and that
they would be advanced as vacancies
occurred according as they showed
themselves worthy. OF course every ad-
vance in grade would carry with it in
creased pay, and the men should be given
to understand that any place in the de-
partment was within their reach, If they
devoted themselves to their duties. After
explaining his position Commissioner
Wells offered the following motion:
THAT the matter of changing the call
system of the fire department to a per-
manent system, and the adoption of
civil service form of regulations. be re-
ferred to the committee of the whole,
in conjunction with the chief, for investi-
cation"
Commissioner Kuhrts agreed with
w CHS pGl AiS liiouS ~ ei4S
matter of needed new apparatus should
be taken up also in this connection. AS
1t s much of the recently annexed ter
ritory is without protection against fire,
and this matter should be attended to
without delay. Not only should addi
tional apparatus be secured but the city
should also take steps for securing its
own lots and building its own engine
houses He had been talking with
number of the councilmen, and he was
satisfied that the time was ripe for in
stitutirg a complete and sweeping re-
form in the management and orsaniza-
tion of the department. Bonds, he
thought, could be isSued, covering the
cost Of the sites and houses and the prop
osition could be submitted to he council.
He therefore seconded the motion of Mr..
Wells, with an amendment to the effect
that the chief at once prepare a report
on the new apparatus needed, the cost
of the same, where it ie intended 10 locate
such Few pieces of apparatus together
with the cost of new sites for engine
houses and the houses themselves. The
was accepted, and the mo-
tion as amended was adopted by unan-
imous vote, the chief meanwhile being
instructed to procure all the information
possible from eastern cities and Submit
the same to the commission.
Chief Moore reported that there were
no electric wires near enough to use in
Engine house of Company l.
The Chief reported that he had granted
permission to George W. Tubbs to bore
for oil in the Western Addition tract, be-
tween Bernardo and Coronel streets. Re
ceived and filed
Also reported that the following COM
panies had practice drill on the 9th inst.
at the Stimson block: Engine Company
4. Hook ard Ladder B, and crew of En-
sine Company S.
The regular monthly inspection of the
department was held on May H.
The report of the electrician was Or
dered filed
Applications from George T. Glkerson.
John W. Menger and Joseph c. Moffatt
for appointment to the force were re-
ceived and filed.
------------