The times., 1899-12-07


Asked For-Lareer Salaries Urged.
The annual report OF the Chief Of the
Fire Department for the year ending June
30, 1899. which was made public yesterday
by the Commissioners. contains to great
extent matters which we're covered in the
annual statement OF the Commissioners.
but there are some points brought out
which are Of special Importance In one
instance the chief OF the department rec
ommends the enactment of a police regula-
uon which viii prevent the fremen from
being annoyed and interfered with while
running 10 fires by bicyclists who ride in
front and on the sides of the apparatus.
The chief also refers TO the causes of the
various fires that have occurred in the
District during the twelve months covered
BY the report, and endorses the recon-
mendadon Of the fire marshal for q police
regulation on the subject
One Of the most important matters noted
in the report is the necessity for All in
creased compensation for the members Of
the force. Chief Paris states in this con-
uection.
This subject is one OF vital importance
Il has become almost matter of impossi-
hility 10 secure proper material 10 I'll 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 who are using every endeavor 10
obtain positions in that department The
reasons are very easily understood. a pO-
Eceman of the first class receives SlG0 per
annum more than the fireman, and should
be remain Oh the force a sufficient length
OF time, and prove worthy, he viii un-
doubtedly receive a promotion Of the sec
ond class, the compensation OF which is
$3.50 more than a private OF this depart
menJ VIII ever receive. no matter what the
length or faithfuIness Of his service may
be. a policeman is not confined in any
sense Of the word as the fireman; he has
more tine at his home with his family
and his duties, though tedious and arduous
as they must be al times. cannot be COM
pared with those required of a member Of
this department
Vacation of FIremen
"A fireman is on duty day and night for
FIVE DAYS. when. if there is no sickness in
his company. he is allowed twenty-four
hours on duty. but even then is not free.
During the summer vacations he IS rot
permitted 10 leave the District Of Column
bia without furnishing a substitute and
must report 10 all alarms in the district
70 which his company responds After the
VACATIONS are concluded he is allowed the
privilege Of leaving the District but must
have permission from his superior officers,
and he is not required to answer first
alarms. but must respond 10 fires TO which
his company responds On additional calls
In the event OF one man being III he is
allowed twenty-four hours of duty every
b Z 4
which has occurred many times recently,
10 day OF is allowed. He must remain
on duty until the return OF one of the
sick men.
Again mechanics are busily employed
al their respective trades. earning more
wages than is paid by the Fire Depart
ment and they do not seem 10 desire en-
ployment of so hazardous = nature. con-
sequenuy IL is the exception in the present
day 10 obtain good, all around intelligent
men, who wish appointment on our force
II is only as last resort. when they can
obtain nothing else 20 do that they viii
accept a position and when The first op-
pOrtuni1y presents itself they resign. A
IRE department cannot be worked with in
experienced men, and if something is not
done 10 attract desirable men, and after
getting them to keep them, the department
VIII in a very short time be- seriously
Handicapped.
Services Not Fully Appreciated.
1T does not seem that the services Of
the members Of this department are prop
erly appreciated. Il they were it would
be unnecessarv. year after year to repeat
the pleas ana arguments that have been
made. The increase amounts 10 but S27.70S
and should be allowed
The salary OF the clerk 20 the de-
partment should be increased c0mmensu-
rate with the duties he is called upon to
perform. He must be q stenographer and
typewriter. and be reasonably skilled in
accounts. The services OF this employe
is valuable, and be is entitled TO the in
crease as recommended.
An increase is again recommended in
the number OF assistant chief engineers.
II is q matter of impossibiIity TO render
proper and efficient service with the pres
ent number. When the department was com
posed Of but seven engine and two truck
companies IL was deemed necessary for The
chief engineer 10 have two assistants.
Since this time the department has been
increased to fourteen engine. six truck.
and three chemical companies located I'm
all parts OF the District yet the number
of assistants has not been increased. The
assistants make daily visits 10 each COM
pany to receive reports and adjust all
matters not requiring the immediate action
OF the chief engineer. These officers per-
form valuable service 10 the department
In this direction. They come in constant
contact with all members. maintain dis
cipline, and keep the efficiency Of the de-
partment mp TO its proper standard But
where their services are most needed Is on
the FIRE ground In the past it has often
been found necessary to detail foreman
10 temporarily take charge OF portion of
fire. This took him away from his com
pany, weakening II and leaving ID without
a head. Such state OF affairs should no,
exist. There Is not a city ia the United
States of the size and importance of ouI
own which has not more directing officers
No one man should be required 10 have
a supervision OF more than five OF six COM
paDies If the best results can be obtained
] cannot TOO strongly urge Jhis increase
and it is TO be hoped thar Congress viii
make provision for al least Two more a
its next session.
Asks for THenty-SiN PrfVates.
The three foremen. two tillermen. .hree
hostlers, and twenty six Drlyates asked fol
are 70 man the Two truck companies and
one chemical company allowed hy the last
Congress
IN order that each company may have two
additional men, ] have recommended "a fur.
ther increase Of forty-siX privates The
department. has never had a sufficient fore,
10 enable IL 10 properly handle the yariou:
pieces Of apparatus, and the necessity fol
AAAn@A@AA@e @A~@SA~a%