The times., 1898-09-27

whatever
.eThis appropriation should be made, as
it is hardly possible to properly conduct
the affairs of the department in such
quarters
THE generous increase in the force dur
ing the past year resulted in good work
on the part of the firemen. While the
damage done during the past twelve
months was greater than during the pre-
ceding year, the general results show the
better equipped department prevented a
large number of more serious confiag agra-
tions. Had 1t not been for the destruc-
ton of the power house of the Capital
Traction Company the losses would have
been less than during the preceding year.
Status of the PEI sion Fund.
In the matter of pensions granted for
deaths or disease contracted in the line
of duty. 1 have the honor to renew my
recommendation of last year-that the
present law be amended so as TO author
ize the payment of such money as may be
needed TO supply any deficiency in this
fund out of the revenues of the District
of Columbia instead of from Police Court
fines. Ii Is apparent that the police reve-
nues will not be sufficient to meet the de-
mands upon Ii, and such an amendment
to the law seems absolutely necessary at
which might arise. AS the amount Of
fines in the Police Court necessarily va
ries from year 10 year, it Is not at all un-
likely that such a complication Will hap
pen which will result in depriving some
of the disabled firemen or their widows of
the means provided for their mainte-
nance. Such an event would work a
hardship upon those who have spent the
best years of their lives I'm the service,
and thereby defeat the object of the law.
1t so happened during the past year that
the pension roll was decreased by $50 per
month, but this excellent showing it cam
not be expected will be repeated in the
future.
II would also call attention TO the ne
cessity for change in the law providing
for the hremen's relief fund. and would
recommend that it be amended as fol-
lows:
s. That the chief engineer. assistant chief
engineers. foremen, engineers. firemen,
hostiers. and privates of the fire depart
ment when incapacitated by age. or so
disabled by injury received or disease
contracted in the line of duty as mention
cd in said provisions, shall be entitled to
receive benefits OF the firemen's relief
fund. as follows: Chief engineer 500 per
month: assistant chief engineers. SI5 per
month: foremen, $50 per month; engin-
month: hostlers. $50 per month: privates,
s45 per month. but nothing in this amend
ment shall be construed to prevent the
allowance now authorized for funeral ex-
penses'
The pension roll at the present time
contains twenty-four names the amounts
allowed each person per annum running
from $40 10 $40. a monthly total of 800.
Expensive Nuisances.
''The department has been greatly handi-
capped during the year on account of the
number of false alarms turned In through
the boxes which only require the break
ing OF a glass and the turning of a key
to summon the department. Seventy-two
such alarms were turned in during the
past twelve months. and on each occa-
sion at least four companies responded.
The cost of the department in answer
ing these false alarms amounted to about
81. 900. In view OF these numerous cases
it is my opinion that 1t might be well to
enact a law much more severe than the
present law and one which would prevent
future violations.
Il desire to call attention to a serious
obstruction TO the department in the ma
ture of bicycle riders, who seem to feel
it matter of duty to respond TO every
alarm of fire, and reach the scene of the
fire before the department. An average
of about a hundred wheelmen respond to
every alarm, and many times the num-
Der reaches over four hundred. Most of
these riders, in their desire to reach the
fire ahead of all others, engage in what
is commonly called 'scorching,' thereby
hindering the movement of the depart
ment vehicles, and endangering the lives
of pedestrians. This is a dangerous nui-
sance, which certainly should be stopped
in some manner. The presence on the
streets of so many wheelmen frequently
causes serious loss of time on the part of
the apparatus. and consequently causes
increased loss at fires
* regulation covering the nuisances
complained of above, ! think will be of
great benefit to this department, and may
be preventive to the loss of life
Alarm Boxes Needed
Attention is called in the report to the
pressing need for additional fire alarm
boxes in various sections of the city
The need of additional engine companies,
to afford more adequate protection to
residence sections of the city, is also
urged
Reference is made in the report to the
death of eX-Chief Engineer Martin Gro
min. TO whom Chief Paris pays an affec-
tionate tribute. The death of Charles
Mead. also a veteran fire fighter. was
regretfully referred to-
Various lesser items of expense. for
which appropriations are asked for. are
explained fully in the report
Marshal Drew's Report.
The report of Fire Marshal Drew shows
that during the year there were 313 bell
alarms of fire and 305 local or silent
alarms total for the year of 61S alarms
an increase of 10l bell alarms and a de-
crease of 19 local alarms as compared
with the record for the previous year
The estimated loss during the year closed
was sSiS, ,S36, covered by an insurance of
SAL. .606, against a loss of 1927, 705 and an
insurance of Sl76,555 for the preceding
year. The destruction OF the power
house of the Capital Traction Company
in September of last year accounted for
the large increase in the item of losses
Specially referring to the firemens re-
lief fund. Chief Paris states that the
balance on hand July /. 1897, was $s25 sS
The receipts during the past year were:
Interest on bonds, 81; donations S610;
fines imposed on members of the DEPART
ment, $50; fines from the Police Court,
s6.936.96; retained from pay of firemen,
S2.i7L7O, and repayments, s37s. .33, a total
of Sl1, 414-9l- The amount paid to pension
ers during the year was s9,7O6.67 leaving
a balance on hand June 3d. 1898, of
81. .TOS.24.
In concluding his report, Chief Paris
returns his grateful Acknowledgements to
the Commissioners, the officers and men
OF his department, to the chief of police
and his officers and men, and to the
superintendent of the fire alarm office
and his operators for their hearty CO.
operation with him at all times