The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-27

the health of the members of the associ-
alton was good
The secretary then read kilograms from
Gen. Fitzhush Lee. regretting his absence,
and from the Louisville Veterans, ex-
tending congratulations.
a communication was read from the
Commander of Lee Camp, Col d. {.
Richardson, inviting the association to
visit the hall OF Lee Camp. The invitation
was accepted.
The Phoe5us Company sent a telegram
of regrets Also one from the chief of the
Danviile Department, on the same line
a telegram from Mr.. Frank 3. Bosch,
OF New York, was read, in part. as fol-
lows:
1t is with regret that 1 have TO advise
you that l will be unable to be with the
brothers at Richmond. / have been there,
and the memories of those visits are ever
green You Will find the doors unlocked
ana the Keys lost and l anticipate most
enJoyahie time for all who are so fortu-
nate as to be able to attend
Other committees were called, but they
were not ready to report, and Capt. Need
nam, OF New York, was called upon. He
was, before he had the opportunity to
speak, introduced by Capt Marshall of
the Roanoke Department, and surprise
was sprung by the presentation of a hand
some JeWelled badge of the Richmond
Fire Department
In responding, Capt Needham felt that
it was happy moment in his life to be
with the brethren in a fraternal spirit
Ihe testimonial was, to him. a surprise
ana ne hardly knew what to say in ac-
ceptinS it 1t was quite evident that he
was touched at the incident and in his
remarks concerning the workings of the
ERE Department in New York he said:
CAPT. NEEDHANI'S REMARKS
Il beg leave to say, at the outset. that
the topic is one of wider scope than can
be adequately treated IN all its phases in
this form, and. therefore, ! shall confine
myself TO bring to your notice some of
the fundamental laws of the science of
extinguishing fires. The fire department
was created for the purpose Of saving life
and property when in danger from fire,
and 1 am convinced from its record during
the past year of 1899, while the number of
fires had considerably increased over that
Of previous years, yet the confidence of
the people in its ability to successfully
cope with such disasters has augmented
wonderfully. The winter Of 1899 was a
very severe one the greater number of
fires during the year occurring in the
months of January, February and April.
The amount OF losses by fires in 1899 was
unusually large, owing to the occurrence
of the Windsor Hotel connagration was
over one million dollars, besides involving
the very Iamentab!e loss of life NOtWith-
standing this, the fire loss for the year
was not exceptionally high. being 100000
less than that which was sustained in the
year 1891. which shows the difference in
eight years In all large cities, those Of
comparatively modern construction. the
dangers of fires are always greater. Dur
Of city of i'm
Germany, had 1926 fires; but if the people,
by concerted action, would assist the mu-
| nicipal authorities, and avoiding the causes
| of fires as far as possible, guard against
| their outbreak. it would greatly assist the
| efforts of the fire department and prevent
! IN a great measure the loss which these
/ disasters entail. The Greater New York
! is composed of five burroughs, respectively
| known as Manhattan Bronx, Brooklyn,
| Queens and Richmond, showing an area
| of territory protected by the department in
| the various burroughs composing the
i greater city, as follows: Manhattan, 13,4S7
| acres: Bronx 5.270 acres; Brooklyn. 42,950
| acres: Queens, 1891 acres: Richmond.
/! sc col; showing a total territory of 196,S09
| acres TO be covered by the fire department
| of Greater New York
NEW YORK MEN.
/. ''At the close of the year 1899. in the
| burroughs of Manhattan and Bronx, which
! is New York city proper. prior 10 annexa-
ton. was equipped as follows: II engine
companies, 23 hook and ladder companies.
water towers, and an aggregate of 1875
officers and men. The boroughs of Brook
Iyn and Queens 50 companies all told. in
Guiding engines and trucks, with an aggre-
gate force of 1,029 officers and men. There
are 6 powerful fire boats, throwing several
streams of wafer, from l inch and is to
a inch stream, which is sufficient to wash
away brick wall. They cover a water
front OF 90. miles, in which is stored mil
lions of dollars worth Of merchandise. In
the borough of Richmond and the outlying
districts OF the borough Of Queens the
volunteer system still exists. Not having
been deemed essential TO attempt the es-
tabl.shment of the paid system in that
portion OF the Municipality, a the close
Of last year the volunteer force in the
borough of Richmond numbered ,725 Off
GERS and men, and in The latter 2,GG0- To-
| tai number OF alarms received for the
| year 1899 was 6.GG7. Water consumed in
| eXtinguishing those fires was 91,Sll.96l gal
| Ions. of which 50GS7, ,2CO gallons was water
!, taken from the river. There are 1,2G0 fire
alarm stations in the borough of Manhat-
! tan and Bronx. Of course. you may say,
| how are so many fires accounted for with
| such a well equipped department? but
| CONTINUED on Second PareO