The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-02

crimes during the year, Only one sdic
burglary having been. committed. An
unfortunate case of sneak thieving and
resulting murder was made prominent
i'm the early part OF the year. and much
regret is caused by the fact that the
circumstances were such as 10 preclude
the discovery OF the perpetrator OF that
crime.
The percentage of stolen property re-
covered for the owners is creditable 10
the department. The detective branch
has proved TO be a very important
branch OF the department, and has
made a good record. IL has also rem
dered efficient service I'm the capture OF
criminals wanted I'm other states.
would recommend that this branch or
the department be made separate di-
vision. under the command OF chief
detective, subordinate to the chief OF
police.
The annexation OF a portion OF the
town OF Johnston has necessitated an
increase i'm our police force. Our po-
lice commenced their duties in that sec
ton at ] 20 o'clock a. IN. on June last.
eight patrolmen being placed on duty
In that section--six night officers and
two day officers; OF the latter one was
mounted.
During the year much care has been
bestowed upon the discipline of the Of
ficers, and with good results. Every
known neglect OF duty has been
promptly punished and the men have
been impressed with the fact that the
security OF their positions depended
largely upon active attention 10 duty.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The record OF this department during
the past year has been good, and our
citizens have cause for congratulation
upon the small amount OF fire loss sus-
tanned. Prompt alarms have enabled
hn fire lar ftn mi n rQsnnnn
delay, and this. together with fntelli-
gent action, has proved most impor-
tant factor in the prosecution OF the
work.
Under the act of the general assem-
bly, passed last spring, permitting the
inspection of cellars and other places
where waste material of a combustible
nature might be allowed to accumulate.
much good has been accomplished, and
property owners have, in most cases,
chSerfully co-operatcd with the depart
ment in causing such material To be
removed The central office system or
fire alarm has been in service for near
ly a year, and aside from few irregu-
larities. incident TO the working OF new
machinery, has proved satisfactory. 1t
is n vast Improvement over the old au-
| tomato system, IL being possible 10 re-
| ceive any number OF alarms at the
| same time from different circuits. while
alarm has been practically obviated
Our experience during the storm OF last
winter, whereby the aerial system OF
| fire alarms was rendered imperative,
proved conclusively that the under
| ground system should be extended
| wherever practicable. The fire COM
| missioners promptly recognized this
| fact and at once recommended that
! such action be taken Immediately. and
in accordance with their recommends
| ton. application was made TO the gem
| eral assembly for authority To hire the
! sum of 5000 for that purpose. This
was granted and the service is being
extended and will when completed in
clude the greater portion OF the busi-
| ness section of the city. From time TO
1 time this service should be still fur
| ther extended until the entire fire alarm
system is placed in condition OF alb
| solute safety.
The board Of fire commissioners have.
4 i'm former years called attention to the
need OF remodelng the station at the
junction of Smith and Orms streets.
| The condition of this station is fam
| iliar to almost every member of the city
| council. and il is admitted that action
should be taken whereby IL may be rem
dered suitable for the requirements OF
| the department. | have personally vis-
tied this station and must confess that
it's present congested condition Is dis
| tressing. There is need that this con-
dition be remedied at once.
The special system OF water mains
for fire protection has amply demon
strated it's value during the year which
| is closed and the wisdom OF its intro
duction has been abundantly proved
Its extension to other sections of the
city is being demanded, and that such
| extension should be made is evident
| Not only is increased protection against
fire assured. but substantial returns are
| also received in the way OF rebates
from the insurance companies. NO bet
ter investment in the line of fire pro-
lection can be made. and this service
should be extended from year TO year
until IL includes such sections of the
city as contain the most hazardous
risks.
would especially call your attention
to the report of the fire commissioners
in relation TO the protective depart
ment, made in 1897, and found in the
last edition OF our city documents or
page 16 of the report. IL seems to me
that their argument is extremely for
chile, and that there is no reason why
this department, which is maintained
for the purpose of keeping down insur'
ance loss. should be paid for by tn,
city of Providence. Its annual expense
of several thousands of dollars should
be borne by the insurance companie:
alone. as is the case i'm almost ever!
other city OF America.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The work OF the providing for th'
worthy poor of our city is a subjec
which should command the attention o
every citizen. The ways and ncars o
helping the poor so that they viii b'
able tn help themselves is vital ques
tion. 4 well regulated poor department
can do great deal of good In the va!
of uplifting the poor by educating then
TO cultivate q spirit of thrift rathe
| than idleness: by making the receive
| OF city- funds understand the necessit,
of labor and the value of money. i
is very easy for person who receive
weekly allowances from the city
through the channels of our poor de
aitment 10 become social drone.
seens 10 me, therefore. that all app!i
cents receiving aid from the city shoul
be compelled 20 do some work for tn
assistance rendered whenever able.
During the year last yast,the city ha
voted to move the poor department
down To the city yard on Eddy stree
and the buildings there have been i
part rebuilt and furnished. so that dur
ing this winter the tramps can b
taken care of, we'll fed. and cleanse
all