Evening star., 1898-06-15
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
More Letters Relating to the Riley
Fire.

E1res
Owing to the alleged delay of the fire de-
partment in reaching the scene of the re-
cent fire at Riley's stables. in Southwest
Washington. Thos. G. Hensey & Co.. who
were interested in the matter. fled a letter
of complaint with Commissioner John b.
Wight. as already stated IN The Star, over
the action of the engine companies.
A second letter was sent two days later
supplementing the first complaint.
Yesterday Commissioner Wight sent 4
reply. in which he said:
In further response to your letter OF
the 9th instant, in which you say that Mr.
Riley states that II was fully half an hour
a1ter the alarm was turned in that the
engines responded to the call. and that the
building upon which your company covers
was unnecessarily destroyed, / peg to state
that 1 find. upon Investigation that the
nrst alarm in connection with Mr.. Riley's
property was received at 3 :55 p.m., and the
second alarm at 400 These second alarms
are never sounded until the department
arrives on the scene of the fire and II is
ascertained whether or not additional en-
sihes are needed. 1t appears very clearly
therefore, to be the case that the com
panies were on the ground and at work in
Less than ten minutes from the time the
nrst alarm was received at the engine
mouse. 1t seems to me that this answers
fuIly the charge that the companies did
not respond until half an hour had ELAPSED
L might add. further, that 1 am In recent
Oh note from Mr.. Riley. to this effect:
Ifls Is 10 certify that 1 have no fault 10
find with the fire department Of the District
OF Columbia in putting out the fire at
Riiey,s stables, 11th and Water streets
June 4, 1898. While 1t is a well-known fact
recognized by us all. that the department
is not as large as 1t should be. L have every
reason TO believe that in connection with
lne nre they responded promptly, and did
sood ana efficient service, and that no rea-
,ava1n ntv,k
them" "e"'hs'
The second letter. received on the same
date, reads: @''e '"'''e
Your favor of even date Just received
coming after 1 mad answered your letter
of the otE instant / think I have s5,e, nt,,er
you all the facts in the case and trust the
same Will be satisfactory to you
IN reg::ri ,G the size of the department,
VIII AID tnat very earnest effort was
made before the appropriations COMMITTEE
OF Doth the House and Senate for an addi
.,on 0I nv; companies. Chief Paris asked
lle commissioners to request ten COM
Pdnies. Believing that We would not he
aole TO secure so large an addition, the
COMMISSIONERS reduced the number to five
anu plead earnestly for that number stat
ing TO the committees that il they could
OF three, or even two or one The com
ihittees, however, refused to give us anv
.n ofease Whatever We will try again at
ehe next session of Congress, and will be
giad to have the assistance of anybodv
"i1nns TO help Us in so worthy a cause
me nrm OF Thomas G. Hensey & Co. I'm
commenting upon the matter produced a
letter from Mr. W. w. Riley. the owner of
the property, whom, Chief Paris had
stated; had denied making any complaint
over the delay. Mr.. Rileys letter is as fol-
Replying to your inquiry as to whether
the statement which YOU made in vo,,r L.
ter to the Commissioners copy of which
IS contained in the attached clipping in re-
iatlon to the remark which l made to Won
III the presence of Mr.. W. r. Hodges L de-
sire TO scy that l did tell you that il was
fully half an hour after the alarm was
turned In that the engines responded to the
call. That 1 signed no letter for Chief Par
rls or ms assistants in rela ton to the fire
at the Riley stables June 4"