The times., 1898-12-06
va. Thought to be well equipped for the

was thought to be well equipped for the
position.
Attention is called TO the fact that the
officers Of the department are not proper
ly paid as compared with the amount OF
work they are called upon to perform. or
the amounts paid by other localities The
Commissioners indorse the recommenda-
tions of the major that these salaries be
Increased. that provision be made for desk
sergeants instead Of station keepers, and
that the lieutenants be given their proper
titles of Captains
1T Is especially recommended that an
adequate salary be allowed for chief OF
the detective bureau, in order that the
skill required may be more adequately
compensated. exceptional ability in this
line always finding employment at good
pay.
Fire Department..
This department has maintained its
high record for efficiency. preventing se-
rious confagrations by its prompt and
satisfactory service. A great deal might
be said relative to the necessity for its en-
largement. AT present there are only
fourteen engines two chemicals. an ! four
trucks to protect the entire Dist let COM
prising an area of seventy-two square
miles.
AS an illustration of how inadequate
~ the city is protected, attention is m
vited to the fact that south of East Cap
itol Street and an imaginary line coin
cident with 1t extending directly west to
the river 'front.' from the Eastern Branch
to Rock Creek, including a part of the
territory known as Capitol Hill: the
ward biSrricr. ha mes he.
Washington Barracks: the entire river
front OF the Washington and Georgetown
channels; all the important ard valuable
merchandise handled by the railroads
which have their termini in the Baltimore
and Potomac depot; the warehouse CT
the Adams Express Company; dwelling
houses the Government buildings su- b
as the Smithsonian Institution. the Ma
tlonai Museum. the Department of Agri-
culture. the Medical Museum, etc. there
are only two engine companies. one 10
Gated in North Carolina Avenue. between
Sixth and Seventh Streets northeast, the
other in Virginia Avenue. between Four
and-a-half and Sixth Streets southwest
The area embraced comprises five square
miles: the assessed value of the bui d.
ings. including Government property, is
s24.1 400; the estimated annual value Of
freight and expressage. together with the
shipping interests at the river front is
s25.ooo.Oeo, making grand total Of 49,
l41. 100. protected by the two companies
above mentioned, at an annual cost OF
less than twenty thousand dollars
'sThe entire district known as George
town, including all the territory west of
Rock Greek, is protected by only one en-
gine.
I'm the rapidly developing portion of the
District known as Anacostia there is only
one engine. which has been placed there
within the last eighteen months. The en-
tire number of engines distributed
throughout the District is grotesquely in
adequate TO meet its needs
Last year the chief engineer requested
an addition to his department of six en-
gines and four trucks. The Commission
ers. fearing thar this number might not
be allowed, cut it down to five companies
every one of which was denied. They have
again urged the Importance of enlargLng
this branch OF the service, and il Is hoped
that more liberal legislation will be en-
acted.
"A chemical engine should be provided
for the neighborhood of Tenieytown and
Cleveland Park. An additional engine
should be placed in the northern part of
Georgetown and truck assigned to the
territory west of Rock Creek. South
should have truck and an
additional engine. An engine should be
located Immediately west of the Executive
Mansion, between Pennsylvania Avenue.
the river and Rock Creek.
within the past four or five years n
number of high apartment houses have
been built in the vicinity of Mount Pleas
ant and occupied by many families.
Should fire occur in one of the struc-
lures, ladders would be Indispensable.
The nearest truck to this point is at the
OF New Hampshire Avenue
and M Street From this point to Mount
Pleasant there is continuous steep up
grade. 1t will be seen. therefore. that the
necessity for the location of a truck in
this vicinity cannot be disputed.
The Commissioners urge an increase in
the salaries paid in this department, in
order that the fremen may be compen-
sated IN measure commensurate with
their hazardous duties. II is hoped that
this recognition may be accorded them
IN connection with the next annual ap-
1T is proposed to erect a stable on
ground owned by the District, where all
the horses of the District Government
may be properly cared for in case of dis
ed for that purpose.
During the year the attention of the
commissioners was called to the large
number OF alarms incorrectly struck on
the engine house gongs, often causing
serious delay in reaching fires Investi-
CATION showed the present system of re-
ceivfng and transmitting alarms to be.
with very slight change, the same which
was introduced in 1873.
"On the strength of this fact 5000 was
secured for the addition of story to No.
IL engine house, located in Eighth Street
between d and E Streets northwest. for
the accommodation of permanent fire
alarm headquarters, and the sum of S7
$50 was provided for the installation of
the most modern equipment known TO
the service. The building is about COM
pleted. The cabinet work and furniture.
which have been especially designed. will
soon be in place. and it is believed that
the first of the year will see the new sys-
TEN successfully inaugurated
Weights and Measures.
"A very noticeable improvement is OBJ
served in the office of the sealer of
weights and measures. A little reflection
will demonstrate the Importance of the
faithful administration of this Office.
when 1t is considered how much depends
upon proper weight and measure, especi-
ally with the poor, who buy in small
quantities.
superintendent of Charities.
1.-THE Commissioners have included in
their estimates an item In connection with
charities which it is believed is an impor-