Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-07
REACH AN AGREEMENT
AUTHORITIES MAKE SELECTION OF
HOOK AND LADDER TRUCKS.
Cost Not to Exceed $4,000 Each
House to BE Erected by First
of January.

The two aerial turn-tab BILE hook and ladder
trucks provided for in the bill making APP
preparations for expenses of the District
government during the fiscal year ending
June 80 1900 the Commissioners have de-
cided to purchase of the La France Fire
Engine Company of Emira, n. V at a
cost not to exceed $500 each The trucks
will be of the Hayes pattern. with all the
usual equipments. and will be known as E
and r. One of them, 4. will be located in
Georgetown. in the house now under con-
struction there and the other F. on Whit
ney avenue between 18th and 18th streets,
Columbia Heights. The house for the last
named one has not yet been commenced
although the site was purchased about a
year ago. The District appropriation bill
approved by the President yesterday, how
ever provides the sum of $1,000, in addi-
tlon to the $4,000 appropriated last wear
and it is believed that the Commissioners
VIII now be enabled to erect the house ,by
the 1st of January.
The sum of $4,000 was provided more
than a year ago by Congress for the pur-
chase of site and the erection thereon of
a mouse for chemical engine company in
Ienleytown. The site was purchased last
summer. but with the remainder of the ap-
preparation the Commissioners found Them
selves unable to erect the house and equip
It, In the bill approved yesterday is an
appropriation of $1,000 additional for the
PoH'N'
Columbia Heights, the Commissioners ex-
pect to erect the Tenleytown house by the
first of the year. The engine for this com
pany has already been purchased, it and
the two trucks to be delivered when the
houses are ready to receive them.
Membership Increased.
The bill approved yesterday, in providing
the men and officers for these three addi-
ttonal companies of the fire department. in
to have Ia,
three foremen, two tillermen, three host
lers and twenty;six privates, total in
crease Of thirty-four men 1t is under
stood that Commissioner Macfarland who
has Immediate supervision of the fire de-
partment, and who is said to be an advo-
cate OF and believer in civil service reform.
Will favor in the promotion of men. those
who have, by good conduct and advance
ment In subordinate grades. placed them
selves in the eligible list. This doas not
mean, 1t is said, that he will recommend
the promotion of men and officers accord
ing to seniority in every instance, but it does
mean. it is understood, that the rule of
promotion by seniority will not be discarded
where the man at the head of the list pos
SesSeS good record and is believed to be
competent to perform the duties of the po-
sition to which he seeks to be promoted
During the coming fiscal year the fire de-
partment resources will be still further in
creased by the establishment of a chemical
engine company in Brookland. the sum of
$4,000 having been appropriated for the
purpose. In this house will be placed what
Is known as a combination chemical en-
CINE and hose wagon, one of the best
pieces of fire-fghting apparatus, 1t is claim
ed, ever designed. One of these combina-
ton chemical engines and hose wagons will
also be placed in the truck house now in
course of construction in Georgetown An
other up-to-date piece of fire-iighting appa-
ratus to be added to the department after
july is water tower, for the purchase
of which the sum of $500 has been pro-
vided. The addition of this apparatus to
the local department has long been advo-
Gated by The Star. and 1t will probably be
located in the house of truck c, 14th street
and Ohio avenue
Coming Appointments.
The increases in the department will ne
cessitate the appointment July l of thirty
four privates, and until the three houses
to which they will be assigned are ready
for occupancy these men will be distrib-
uted among the twenty existing companies
of the department. wherein they will re-
ceive the training and experience required
to render them competent for service in the
new companies.
One thing which the men Of the depart
ment earnestly trust will result from the
appointment of these thrty-four new mel.
is an increase in the number of days grant
ed to members of the department as an an
nual leave. The law provides that they
snail have twenty days, In the discretion of
the Commissioners. but they have not been
allowed more than ten because as has been
contended by the officials of the depart
ment, Its strength would not permit of a
greater length of leave being allowed AS
every company will be Increased by the ad-
dition of these thirty-four men by at least
one man, and some will receive an increase
of two until the new companies go into
service, which will not. it is believed, be
much before December or November l. the
men entitled to an annual leave trust these
facts will be considered and that they will
be granted more than ten days this sum-
mer. The matter has been mentioned to
Commissioner Macfarland who is taking
much interest in the department and its