Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-15
An Important Member.

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fore 1t is recommended that they receive
an annual salary of 81 900.
An Important Member
The engineer of a steam engine com
pany is very important member of the
department, for upon him depends the care
and operation of the engines. They now
receive the same salary of the foreman.
but it is not believed that any member of
company should receive as large a sal
airy as its foreman, for the reason that it
TENDS to detract from his dignity and de-
Stroy discipline. For these reasons it is
recommended that the engineers receive an
annual salary of 81 loo.
The other members of the company in
cludlng the fireman, driver and privates,
are poorly paid. when their salaries are
compared with those received by such off
GERS and men in other cities of the size of
the District of Columbia Therefore it has
been deemed advisable to recommend that
the firemen and drivers be given an annual
salary of $500, an increase of $50 and that
the l66 privates now receiving SS4o year
be given 500 a year, and be rated as Dri-
Yates of the first class.
"A second class of privates at 500 per an
mum should, 1t is respectfully submitted be
established. The number of second-class
prlvates is placed at thirty-four, in order
to provide men for the six new companies
and to increase the strength of the exist
ing ones, their strength at the present time
not being that which Ii is believed the de-
mands of the service require.
During the next few months the stable
provided for by the current appropriation
bill Will be completed. A laborer at $3.50
per annum has been provided to care for
the horses, but it is believed that there
should be two laborers at the stable and
stabeman, in order that the horses to
be sent there may receive proper attention.
therefore, 1t is recommended that a stable
man at $40 per annum and an additional
lahorer at $3.50 be provided.
Repairs Necessary.
If the six new companies recommended
are provided it will be necessary to pro-
vide six additional watchmen, and such an
increase is recommended.
THE houses of the department are as a
rule, badly in need of repairs, and it is be-
lieved that at least $4,000 should be pro-
vided for such work for the next fiscal
year.
LAS the apparatus now In service becomes
older the extent of necessary repairs in
creases and as the department is en-
larged the purchases of new apparatus and
appliances increase. Therefore, the appro-
priation of 5000 for this purpose is asked
The addition of six new companies to the
department means a greater outlay for
hose. Hence an appropriation of $4,000.
The reasons apply equally as well to the
appropriations for fuel, horses, forage and
contingent expenses and 1t is urged that
they be respectively increased, as set forth
in these estimates.
ITO equip the six additional companies
referred to in these estimates, the pur-
chase of three extra first-class steam en-
gines at $1,000 each; three combination
chemical and hose wagons, at 81, 800 each:
two chemical engines at $500 each, and
one truck, at So, 500, will be necessary There
is but one really large engine in the de-
partment, No. II, with an estimated ca
pacity of 1000 gallons minute. There
should be several larger ones, to be located
in the business section of the city, and Tor
this reason the purchase of three steamers
Of extra first class size, with an estimated
capacity of loo gallons minute, is earn
estly recommended.
THE combination chemical and hose
wagon Is. as its name implies, a chemical
engine and hose carriage combined in one
piece of apparatus, and the experience of
the department has demonstrated its great
efficiency. 1t is believed that the efficiency
of the department would be vastly in
creased should every hose carriage in it be
replaced by d combination chemical and
hose wagon.
"One of the two chemical engines recon-
mended is intended for the Congress
Heights company and the other for the
proposed company at Good Hope, while the
truck is to be placed in the truck COM
pany located in the southeastern section of
the city,