The evening times., 1898-12-05

chief clerk of the department, and who,
by his personal knowledge of it's duties,
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 or
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 Sc
rious confiagrations by it's 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, ana four
trucks to protect the entire District COM
prising an area of seventy-two square
miles.
LAS an illustration of how inadequate
ly the city is protected, attention is IN
vted to the fact that south of East Cap
itol Street and an imaginary line coin
cident with it extending directly west, to
the river front; from the Eastern Branch
to Rock Creek, including part of the
territory known as Capitol Hill; the
navy yard district; the property near the
| Washington Barracks; the entire river
| front of the Washington and Georgetown
channels; all the important and valuable
merchandise handled by the railroads
which have their termini in the Baltimore
and Potomac depot, the warehouse Of
| the Adams Express Company; dwelling
| houses; the Government buildings such
as the Smithsonian Institution, the Ma
tional 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 squara
miles; the assessed value of the bui d.
ings, influding Government property, is
$2l, l41 400 the estimated annual value of
freight and eXpressage, together with the
shipping interests at the river front is
600, making a grand total OF $49
l4l 100 protected by the two companies
above mentioned, at an annual cost OF
less than twenty thousand dollars.
The entire diseict known as George
! town, including all the territory west of
Rock Creek is protected by only one en-
gine.
I I'm the rapidly developing portion of the
Dist rirf lgDnWp "a = bar &c ,I,-
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 that 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 charging
| this branch of the service, and 1t is hoped
that more liberal legislation will be en-
acted.
"A chemical engine should be provided
for the neishborhood of Tenleytown and
Cleveland Park. An additional engine
should be placed in the northern part of
Georgetown and a truck assigned to the
territory west of Rock Creek South
Washington should have a 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 wears a
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 strIIc-
lures ladders would be indispensa bic
The nearest truck to this point is at the
| intersection Of New Hampshire Avenue
and NJ Street. From this point to Mount
Pleasant there is a continuous steep I'D
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 firemen may be compen-
] Sated in measure commensurate with
! their hazardous duties. II is hoped that
| TINS recognition may be accorded them
! IN connection with the next annual ap-
| preparation.
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
| ability, and an appropriation is request
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-
ceiving and transmitting alarms to be
with very slight change, the same which
| was introduced in 1873
| 'On the strength of this fact ST, 600 was
| secured for the addition of story TO No
IA engine house, located in Eighth Street.
between d and Z Streets northwest. for
| the accommodation of permanent fire
alarm headquarters and the sum of s37.
500 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 svs
| tenn successfully inaugurated.
Weights and Measures.
"a very noticeable improvement is oh,
| served in the office of the seaIer OF
weights and measures. A little reflection
will demonstrate the Importance of the
faithful administration of this office
when it 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 ir
! their estimates an item in connection witt
charities which it is believed is an impor.
| tant step toward the solution of the vexef
| question of appropriations to hospitals
| nd ha foc