Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-06
Head Of the Department Makes His
Annual Exhibit.
RECOMMENDATIONS and ESTIMATES
Suggestions Made, Some Of Which
Have Been Approved.
L A OK OF LITIES

Mr.. Joseph Paris. chief engineer of the
District fire department, today submitted
to the Commissioners his report for the fis-
cal year ended June 80, 1892 The greater
part Of the report is devoted to the estf-
mates submitted by Mr.. Paris September
last to cover the expenses of the depart
ment during the fiscal year ending June
80 1901. which estimates were published
in The Star at the time
There were 1893 alarms for fire and 274
local or still alarms. which were answered
by the department, making a total of 667
calls for fire during the year. This is an
increase Of eighty bell alarms and a de-
crease Of thirty-one local alarms as COM
pared with the preceding year.
Referring to his recommendation that
the pay of the members of the fire depart
ment be Increased, which recommendation
the Commissioners failed to approve, Mr..
Paris says:
This subject is one of vital Importance.
IL mas become almost matter of impossi-
bility to secure proper material to fill the
vacancies which occur from time to time.
During the fiscal year just ended the police
department has secured some of our very
best men, and know that there are many
more VINO are using every endeayor to OBJ
tain positions In that department. The rea-
sons are very easily understood. A police
man OF the first class receives S100 per
annum more than the fireman, and should
he remain on the force sufficient length
OF time and prove worthy. he will I'M
doubtedly receive a promotion Of the sec
ond class. the compensation of which is
S2so more than a private of this depart
ment Will ever receive, no matter what the
length or faithfulness of his service may
A fireman Is on duty day and night for
nve days. when. if there is no sickness In
ms company, he Is allowed twenty-four
T m on duty, but even then is not free.
turing the summer vacations he is not
permitted on his days off, to leave the Dis
trlct of Columbia without furnishing a
substitute. and must report to all alarms
IN the district to which his company re-
spends. After the vacations are concluded
ne is allowed the privilege of leaving the
District, but must have permission from
MS superior officers, and he is not required
10 answer frst alarms, but must respond to
fires to which his company responds on adj
ditional calls In the event of one man be-
ing Ill he is allowed twenty-four hours off
do1F every ninth day, and should two men
become Ill, which has occurred many times
recently, no day off, Is allowed He must
remain on duty until the return of one of
the sick men.
Seriously Handicapped,
Again, mechanics are busily employed
at their respective trades. earning more
wages than is paid by the fire department.
and they do not seem to desire employ
ment of so hazardous a nature consequent
ly it is the exception in the present day to
OBTAIN good, all-around intelligent men who
wish appointment on our force. fire de-
partment cannot be worked with fnexpe-
rienced men. and if something is not done
to attract desirable men, and after getting
them to keep them. the department will
IN very short time be seriously handi-
capped.
1t does not seem that the services of the
members of this department are properly
appreciated. If they were it would be un-
necessary year after year to repeat the
pleas and arguments that have been made
The increase amounts to but $27 7Os, and
should be allowed"
The chief engineer asked for two addi-
tonal assistants, the Commissioners recon-
mending an increase of one and in support
of the increase, Mr.. Paris says:
1t Is matter of impossibiiity to render
proper and efficient service with the pres
ent number. When the department was
composed of but seven engine and two
truck companies it was deemed necessary
for the chief engineer to have two assist
ants. Since this time the department has
been increased to fourteen engine, six truck
and three chemical companies, located in
all parts of the District, yet the number of
assistants haS not been increased. There is
not city in the United States of the size
and Importance of our own which has not
more directing officers. No one man should
be required to have a supervision of more
than five or six companies if the best re-
suits are to be obtained