Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT..
Number of Engines Inadequate for
Protection of District

Reference was made in the last annual
report of the Commissioners to the made
quate number of fire companies for the pro-
lection of the District. Much stress was
laid upon this fact, and the Commissioners
appeared before the committees of Congress
and urged an enlargement of the depart
ment. Although Congress did not give the
full number asked for, 1t did provide for
two additional truck companies, one to be
located in Northeast Georgetown and one
in Mount Pleasant, and a chemical COM
pany, to be located In Tenleytown
Following it's recent custom, no provision
was made Tor the men TO man these com
panies. it being considered by Congress al
loWable TO walt until the buildings were
erected, and the men are needed for actual
service, before providing them.
As soon as the bill was passed steps
were at once taken to make a study of
truck houses in other cities plans and speci-
ncatfons were prepared and bids advertised
for the erection of the three houses I'm
fortunately, building material increased in
price, and the cost of building was so much
advanced that the bids received were in
excess of the amount available after the
pure base of the sites The plans for the
buildings We're modified and reduced as
much possible consistent with good sery-
ice, new bids We're invited, all of which
proved higher than the first bids and on
some OF the houses no bids were received.
ms was a serious disappointment to the
commissioners and to the people living in
the vicinities where the new companies
are to be located. 1t was. however, un-
avoida6ie. and nothing apparently remains
10 be done except TO ask Congress for adj
ditional amounts that will make the avail
able moneys sufficient to erect these build
ings. This will be done as early as pos
stble after Congress convenes and when
the money is appropria ted the buildings will
De very rapidly put TO completion.
Needs hut Partially Supplied,
The addition Of these three cornnanias
making a total of twenty-three COMPANIES
While very much appreciated is only a
part of what is actually needed in order 10
properly protect the District, especially the
outlying portions of 1t. In the estimates
already submitted the Commissioners have
again made an urgent appeal for a number
or new fire companies some for the center
OF the city, especially in the southern mar
and some for outlying suburban places If
would seem only necessary to state the
idcts IN order 10 secure the approximations
such. however. is not the case. A state
ment OF the facts, strong, earnest and con-
tihuouS appeals have failed to secure the
rehcf sought There seems only one thing
70 De done-continue persistently urging
this muCh-needed increase of the fire do
pertinent until the city is sufficiently SIM
pied with companies and apparatus
ne record for efficiency which this de-
partment has earned in the past has been
maintained throughout the last wear While
there have been no extraordinarily serious
CONGREGATIONS, there have been a large
number of fires, in all of which the de-
partment has rendered prompt and efficient
service, the records showing that not only
has it saved much property but MANY
lives.
The various engine houses have been
kept in excellent condition. and a visit to
any one Of these would well repay the
citizen who would take the time to inspect
them. They are always neat and clean
and TO the men who work so hard during a
fire, but pass much idle time waiting for
an alarm, an intelligent and interested
visitor is always welcome.
Fire Alarm Headquarters.
Under the direction of the electrical en-
gineer improvements are constantly being
made in the fire alarm headquarters and in
the system OF receiving and TRANSMITTING,
alarms. every device known as of ysIue
being used to prevent errors and to adj
TO the efficient equipment of the depart-
m6nt.
Attention is again invited to the ueccs
slty OF an additional stable where sick
and disabled horses of the department NAV
be treated. At present there is no pro-
vision at all by the District for SUCH treot-
ment Of horses, but each year. with an All
ditional number of horses the necessity for
stable is more and more apparent. The
appropriation is again asked for and If
| Is hoped that this year 1t will be granted.
Telegraph and Telephone Service.
Provision having been made by Con-
| gf'ess for an extension OF the telegraph and
telephone system Of the police and fire de-