The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-16
LEAVES ACTIVE SERVICE.
Fire Chief Joseph Paris Retired
With u Pension.

Joseph Paris, Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department, rendered his resigna-
ton to Mr.. Macfariand, President OF the
Board of Commissioners, yesterday TO
take effect May l. He also asked that he
be allowed leave of absence until the date
of his resignation, and that he be retired
under the provisions of the act OF Con-
gress generally known the Police Re-
organization act. BY the terms of this
act. among other officers. the Chief of the
Fire Department may be retired on
pension. not to exceed 500 a month.
In his letter to Commissioner Macfar-
land, Mr. Paris calls attention to the fact
that he has been in active service in the
| Fire Department for thirty-three years.
and its Chief Engineer for fifteen years.
He thinks the time has come when it is
proper and necessary that he should seek
retirement from the arduous duties of
his position.
While it has been rumored for some
weeks past that Mr. Paris was about to
retire from office, the secret of his inlen-
lions has been so well kept that even Mr..
Macfarland, the Commissioner in charge
of the department, was unaware that the
action of the Chief Engineer was SO near
at hand Mr. Paris has been made TO
feel that remaining at the head of the de-
partment was entirely optional with him,
and his resignation has been rendered at
his own volition, and after due considera-
ton. ~
Mr. mcfarland. after receiving Mr..
| Paris letter yesterday, forwarded the
| following motion to his associates, which
| was approved and the necessary orders
We're issued:
'.Inasmuch as the Chief Engineer, after
/ IA mi
| for retirement. l move that it be granted,
to take effect the LIST day of May next.
Il move that he be granted a pension
of 800 month from that date.
I'm accordance with his request, / move
| that he be granted leave of absence from
now until the LIST day of May. ! move
| that Assistant Chief Belt act as Chief
| Engineer until the LIST of May next. l de-
| sire to record my appreciation Of the long
| and faithful service of Chief Engineer
| Paris in the Fire Department. and to
| say that l believe he well deserves the
| honorable retirement which he now volun-
| Commissioner Ross, in approving the
| recommendation of the president Of the
| board, said:
| lin concurring with the recommended
| ton Of Commissioner mcfarland, / can
| not forbear expressing my sorrow that
| the District is no longer to have the eff
| Client services of Chief Paris. / have
| ten years and half, and a result of
| that association have formed a high opin-
| ion OF his integrity of character and of
his efficiency one of the foremost fire
fighters in the United States. / am con-
fdent that he Will carry with him into
his retirement the best wishes of all who
| are connected with the District govern
ment.
Beyond naming First Assistant Belt as
Acting Chief Engineer. nothing has been
done in the way Of providing a successor
| TO Mr.. Paris. 1t has been rumored that
| the Commissioners would inaugurate a
change in the conduct Of the department
| and make the duties of the Chief Engi-
neer purely executive. in this connection
| n civilian has been mentioned frequently
| as the probable successor of Chief Paris,
| but il is quite probable that one of the
Assistant Chiefs may be promoted to the
| vacant position.
Joseph Paris was born In Washington
| in December 1885. While yet young man
| and while following the trade of plasterer.
| he became a member of one of the old
! volunteer fire companies of Washington
| II is Mr. Paris boast that he placed the
| plaster on a good many Of the public
! buildings of Washington and on the prin-
| cipal mansions erected twenty-five or
thirty years ago. IT is also a matter of
| pride that he has been running to fires
| ever since he was fifteen years Old.
| He served in the civil war as member of
| Henderson's Guards. On April !, 1861, Mr..
! Paris became n fireman of the District
| Fire Department, then consisting Of three
| engines and two hook and ladder compa-
| mics. His first assignment was as driver
| of engine No. J. He held this position for
| a year, and then resigned TO work at his
trade. Two years later he re-entered the