Evening star., 1901-04-29
FIRE CHIEF NAMED
Continued from First Page.)

more useful. as in those states whore IT is
regarded as of great Importance IN fire
insurance settlements, well as in pre-
vent1ve fire inspections. The salary ought
81. 500
THE salaries of the foremen Of companies,
which are now only $1,000 each. should be
Increased to 81 800 each. and corresponding
increases should be made in the salaries of
the other members of the department. Con-
greSs. at the last session, adopted the rec
ommendation of the Commissioners that the
salaries should be increased. although the
increase given was comparatively small,
and IN the lower salaries. But l believe that
at the next session Congress will be willing
to do much more for the fire department.
! shall recommend, when the Commission
ers make up their estimates for the next
fiscal year that provision be made for all
the improvements l have suggested In this
memorandum.
IF Congress would grant all that have
suggested in increases of men and salaries,
in new buildings and apparatus, our fire
department, whose members are so Jealous
and skillful, would have an increased ef-
ficiency.
I'm view of what I have said about the
vacancy now to be filed, l move that Rob-
ert w. Dutton be appointed chief engineer
Of the fire department, to take effect May j
next"
Ffremen Gratihed.
A pleasing feature Of the appointment of
ure and enthusiasm with which the news
was received at nearly all Of the engine
and truck houses Of the department. Most
Of the older men in the department have
been personally acquainted with Mr. Dut-
ton for many years. 1t is stated that when
word of the appointment was telephoned to
the several houses at many of them the
men threw their hats In the air and ex-
pressed in no uncertain terms their jubi-
lance.
In the appointment Of Mr.. Dutton, II is
understood, there Is no desire on the part
of the Commissioners, or any intent, to de-
tract from the work and the ability of the
men at present in prominent positions in
the department.
In the salary increases which Mr. Mac
farland has recommended, and which will
undoubtedly be granted by the next Con-
gress. the practical and ambitious men of
the department who are studious will find
fine incentive to renewed energy, and there
will be many important and desirable goals
to look forward to. In the increases of sal
ary and the change Of duties 1t is stated.
the present first assistant chief will virtu-
ally be raised to the prominence of the
chief engineer under the old system. The
increase in the number Of assistant chiefs
to be asked for will create new places to be
sought, and the added Importance to be at
tached to the office of fire marshal will
make place the nIIng Of which will be
substantial reward lor meritorious service
and ability on the part of the flre-hghting
men.
MIR. Dutton is a man OF progressive ideas
in regard to the fire department, and, 1t is
stated, will Introduce number of latter
day improvements which he has been study
ing. He will endeavor to bring the depart
ment to par with any in the country of
equal size and his efforts will always be
toward an advanced end The new chief, it
is believed. will be of invaluable assist
ance in helping the Commissioners to Sc
cure fire department legislation from Con-
greSS.
Native of the District.
Mr.. Dutton is a native Of the District
having been born here forty-three years
ago. He has lived in Washington all of
his life and was educated in the public
schools. He afterward took a three years
course in law at the Columbian University
He did not engage In the practice of the
profession, however, but chose to follow
for seven years trade he had previously
learned, that of printer.
Mr.. Dutt on then accepted emplovment in
the Navy Department being attached for
a number of years to the bureau of naviga-
tion under Admiral John G. Walker. He
was well liked by all his associates in the
department, and there was much regret
expressed on all sides when he left to en-
gage in newspaper work, a field in which
he has met with marked success, For the
past ten years he has been a member of
The Stars staff being for a long time in
charge of the court reporting at the city
had. From the city hall he was trans
Aeiied ~ lIle 1iSlTlCl quitting. WnGre he
has remained up to the present time
What changes II any, he will recommend
in the personnel Of the fire department
will not be made, Mr.. Dutton states, until
he has assumed active control of the de-
partment and given closer attention to its
details.
Mr.. buttons long interest and study of
the department as whole was purely the
result Of a native attachment to the work
ings of this very interesting feature of the
municipal government, and never at any
time did he look forward to being placed
at its head. Since he has been at the Dis
trtct building as a newspaper man, now
ever. he has been called into consultation
by the Commissioners having charge of the
fire department quite frequently, and his
opinion in regard to department affairs
have always carried great weight Mt
Dutton is reluctant to give up newspaper
work. When Chief Paris announced his
retirement he declined to permit his friends
to place his name before the Commissioners
a a candidate.