The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-17
CHIEF PARIS SUCCESSOR.
Speculation rs to Who VIII Be APP
pointed 10 the Vacancy

pointed 40 the = 4GAnCE-
There is d good deal of speculation as
to the probable successor Of Joseph Paris
as Chief Engineer OF the Fire Depart
ment- Many are OF the opinion that Com
missioner AIacfarland in selecting VII
liam T Belt, the First Assistant Chief
Engineer, as Acting Chief Engineer, has
indicated his preference. Those who are
Of this opinion expect thai AIr- Mae
farland will within few days name Mr.
Belt as Chief Engineer and make the
necessary promotions TO Ill the vacancy
from below
With this idea IN mind the friends Of
several fremeR are bestirring themselves
II the interests Of their favorites for the
position Of Assistant Chief Engineer
Among those named fOr the subordinate
position are F, -enan Proctor, Of Engine
Company No 3 and Foreman S0rrelI- OF
Engine Company No. i Mr.. Belt has also
made known GO Commissioner MacfaTi2nd
his desire TO be appointed Chief Engineer
Fire Department IN the interests OF the
men mentioned, Commissioner MacfaT-
land has not intinated in any way what
he VIII do. In fact, il IS well known that
the Commissioner has not yet settled the
question in his own mind whether he will
appoint an expert fireman as Chief En-
gineer or q civilian, with the view Of
making the Office purely executive A
good many business men and others have
spoken with the Commissioner recon-
mending the latter course The point has
been made. and very strongly emphasized,
that the department has now grown TO
such proportions that ? man Of business
training and executive ability is needed
at the head rather than a fire fighter.
Among other things. the Commissioner
has been told that the department has
suffered q good deal from the lack Of the
supervision OF man who can look after
the department as whole, as to its
needs and progress Many are Of the
opinion that II IS not to be expected Of a
man brought Up in the Fire Department
that he shall possess the qualities named
N the same degree that an outsider
would II has been suggested 10 Mr..
Mac1arland that the FIRE fighting talent
IS best represented and employed in the
persons OF the Assistant Chief Engineer
and that il is not consistent with The
dignity Of the Office Of Chief Engineer
that be leave the District building in the
day time OF his home at night and rush
on TO HEes 10 take command OF the de-
partment- II is said by way Of coupari-
son that the superintendent Of Police and
the inspector in charge of the Detective
Bureau are not called upon 10 make ar
rests or 10 hunt down criminals. and II IS
nainta med that the head OF the Fire De
D2rtment should not be called upon to
fight fires.
This Is Just at present the ali important
question in connection with the selection
of the successor Of Joseph Paris I; has
been objected that the law viii not now
admit Of making The Office an executive
one merely but TO this It has been replied
InaJ SucH CnaHSe IN the law as would be
necessary could be secured next winter
from Congress. and that the appointment
OF civilian as Chief Engineer now would
be best in view OF such change
1t Is vel known that this proerarnTne
appeals very strongly 10 Commissioner
4Iactafland and 70 his associates but
they are not wholly clear in their minds
as TO the wisdom Of taking such "a step
now should the plan Se adopted il i
renewed that the proper man for the
pace : available and in touch with the
ScInTnlssloners- This man has made a
hIeiong study OF the Fire Department
ana mas an intimate acquaintance with
1Hs men and a thorough knowledge Of the
Workings OF the department. IT is be
lleEed that he would make an IDEAL OF
cfat' Il an executive man is to be sought