The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-30
DUTTON APPOINTED CHIEF
A Local Newspaper Man to Com
mand the Fire Department.
To Take Eject May IA General Re
organization of the Force TO He
Immediately ETected-The seiec-
ton Approved by District officials.

ton Approved by District officials.
Commissioner mcfarland. who has
supervision over the Fire Department,
yesterday recommended to his associates
and they approved the appointment Of r.
w Dutton as Chief Engineer Of the Fire
Department, to succeed Joseph Paris,
retired.
Chief Paris resignation will go into
effect on May l, and Mr.. Dutton will as
sumo the duties Of his new Office on that
date.
This action on the part of the Com
missioners in naming a civilian to he
he I'D Of the Fire Department was outlined
in The Times several ' eks ago. The
appointment marks departure in the
control of that branch Of the municipal
service by placing a man of executive
ability rather than a fire fighter in the
office of Chief Engineer. 1t is expected
that this viii result in Il marked improve
ment in the department. and with this
object in view the matter has been very
carefully considered by Commissioner
Macfarland. The impression has grown
Stree the retirement of Chief Paris was
first talked about that the department
needed a man of executive ability, educa-
ton, and experience in the worlds affairs
TO look after its interests.
One objection was urged against this
view. which has had some weigh. with
the Commissioners. that by placing a
civilian at the head, one incentive might
be taken from the fireman in the perform
ance of his arduous and dangerous duty.
But it is thought that under the reor-
ganization of the department now pro-
posed the fireman will have the required
incentive to become Assistant Chief.
Mr.. Macfarand covers the matter quite
thoroughly in his letter recommending
Mr.. Dutton for the position. In this Mr..
Macfarland says:
The Chief Engineer of the Fire De-
partment. Joseph Paris, will retire next
Wednesday, May l. on his own applica-
ton. which has been approved by the
Commissioners. The vacancy thus ere
ated should be filled with respect prima-
rily to the administration of what has
grown to be one of the important depart
ments OF the District Government. Grad
ually it has developed until it is now a
great business establishment, with n very
valuable plant and constantly increasing
duties IL covers in its operations almost
the entire District of Columbia. 1t has
twenty-one Interpretation stations and
two more will soon be opened, while an
and at least three more are needed. At
these stations are all the various forms of
iire-fghting apparatus, including some of
the latest and best, although there is
much that ought to be replaced with later
and more powerful or more convenient
inventions.
''On the LIST of July there will be about
$50 men in the Department. We ought to
have, and doubtless will have soon, a
much larger number to increase the eff
cheney of the Department and give the
men more freedom.
AT this important juncture in the his
tory of the Fire Department. I think we
ought to have at the head of it a man
who is not only familiar with 1t, its per-
sonnet, apparatus, work, and needs, but
one who has marked executive ability, and
superior intelligence and education He
ought TO be man who can grasp all the
interests of the Fire Department. plan
broadly and wisely for its future, procure
and adapt the successful plans of other
communities, and when necessary repre-
sent the department creditably in writing
OF in speech, as, for example, at the an
nual convention of fire department chiefs.
THE salary Of the Office, which is only
81 600, ought to be increased, so as to be
equal to that of the Major and Superin-
same time the salaries of the Assistant
Chief Engineers, who should be the i'm
mediate directors OF hrc-fghtng opera
tons. under the superintendent OF the
Chief. should be increased from 1920 to
sl.S0Q, the same as that of the Captain
of Police, and the number Of Assistant
Chief Engineers should be increased from
three to four or five The Office of Fire
Marshal should be made more useful. as
in those States where it is regarded as of
great Importance in fire insurance settle
all Nra MT NJ
spections. The salary ought to be in
creased from s., 900 to at least $l,s0O The
salaries of the foremen OF companies,
which are now only Sl,U1J EACH should
be increased to 81, 500 each and CORE
spending increases should be U1ade in the
salaries of the other members of the
department.
the recommendation of the Commission
ers that the salaries should be increased,
although the increase given was compare
lively small, and in the lower salaries.
But j believe that at the next session Con-
gress will be willing TO do much more for
the Fire Department. / shall recommend,
when the Commissioners make up their
estimates for the next fiscal year, that
provision be made for all the improve
ments have suggested In his memoran-
dun.
IF Congress would grant al that ] have
suggested in increases of men and sala-
ries, in new buildings and apparatus, .our
Fire Department, whose members are so
Lt%lAAH anu ShlAlluA NbNAN nave All III
creased efficiency.
I'm view OF what have said about the
vacancy now TO be filled, / move that
Robert W. Dutton be appointed Chief En-
gineer of the Fire Department, to take ef-
feet May ] next"
The appointment of Mr.. Dutton came To
him unsought, as he was in no sense a
candidate for the position. When the
matter was first preached 10 him. Mr.
Dutton said that he could not afford to
take 1t, owing to the arlvLnt of the salary
attached. 1t is understood that he takes
the place at the earnest solicitation of
Commissioner Macfarland, and with the
understanding that an effort to have the
salary increased by Congress at the next
session will be made.
In speaking of the matter yesterday,
Commissioner Macfarland said he thought
the District was to be congratulated upon
having so good a MAJ: to accept the po-
eition.
Mr. Dutton is specially well equipped for
the place, from the fact that since boy
hood he has been personally very much
interested in the Fire Department. He is
thoroughly familiar with its workings
has an acquaintance with the men, and
IS well versed in the management of its
affairs. 1t was the custom Of Commits
sioner Wight, and since his appointment
of Commissioner Macfarland. 10 consult
Mr. Dutton every time shy important ac-
ton was taken, owirz , his intimate
knowledge of everything soanected there
with Mr.. Dutton has been able TO give
valuable advice to the Commissioners, and
g.. 4 A a Il