The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-22
Tic FIRE COMMISSION
WILL REORGANIZE THE ENTIRE
DEPARTMENT
AND ABOLISH THE CALLMEN
De Groot Will Drill for Oil in Knob
Hill Tract-Sarcastic Letter
About Oil Wells

Messrs. Sabichi and Sinsabaugh were alb
sent from the weekly session of the board
of fire commissioners yesterday, but quite
a grist of business was disposed of by the
bare quorum in attendance. The most i'm
portant matter considered was that of the
of the fire department upon
a basis as outlined in the following resolu-
ton, introduced by Commissioner Wells:
Whereas, The maximum efficiency in
a fire department cannot be attained
under the call SYSTEM and,
Whereas, The change from the COLL
system to a full paid service can be
made without increasing the cost and
without reducing the wages OF those
now in the service; and.
Whereas, From the proceeds of the
bonds new engine houses owned by the
city are to be erected both for old and
new companies; therefore,
Resolved, That this board hereby
urges the immediate passage OF an or
dinance by the council reorganizing the
fire department so as to dispense with
the services of all callmen ard substi-
tuting therefor permanent men fully
paid and providing that all new engine
houses and those now owned by the
city be prepared for and occupied by
such permanent force, the change to
take place not later than the time OF
occupancy of the new and remodeled
buildings.
Commissioner Kuhrts contended that the
resolution was too broad in It's provisions
he favored the adjustment of the callmer
system, but did not believe that 1t could
be successfully accomplished all at once
Mayor Snyder conceded with this opinion
Mr. Wells stated that he had always un'
derstood the board to favor the movement
by the resolution and that the
present was obviously the time to make the
change. Chief Moore rather believed q
change of the character proposed could bt
made gradually with better results. A mo.
ton finally prevailed by which the matter
was referred to a committee composed Of
Messrs. Wells. Kuhrts and Chief Moore
for investigation and report.
Steps to abolish the callmen system were
really inaugurated some time ago. Com
pany No. S. located on Hill street and No
8, near the plaza, have long been reorgan
lied with full complement Of sixteen per
manently employed hremen to each.
NJ s. Kornblum's petition for permit
to erect a water-heating boiler on Gr!fltf
avenue, between Nineteenth and TWEEN
tieth streets, and the protest Of the prop
erty holders Of the vicinity against the
issuance Of any such permit were referred
to the chief for investigation and report
The protestants allege that the location o,
such an Institution in that vicinity will
iniure their property.
Chief Moore suggested to the board tina
as the freeholders will complete their la
bors within a few days, committee SHOULD
be appointed to present to them plan fol
the reorganization of the fire department
as contemplated with the funds raised by
the recent bond sale. The suggestion wa!
and Messrs. Kuhrts, Wells ant
Chief Moore were given the responsibility
Chief Moore recommended that the pc
tition OF w. r. De Groot and others to bore
for oil on lot IA, block B, Of the Knob Hill
tract be granted and such action was &C
cordingly taken. The petition Of w. T.
Keller for permission to erect boiler a.
925 Fast Third street was referred to the
chief with power to act.
The chiefs weekly fire alarm report
chronicled five fires with an aggregate los:
of about 5000. 1t was approved.
The demands of the West Side Water
company for s7os.75 for setting thrity-fv,
new hydrants as per contract Of last April
were held for approval until the chief shall
ascertain II the contract provided for tn,
hydrants charged for.
The monthly pay roll amounting Il
s547s.S3 and the routine demands for re-
pairs. etc, were passed.