Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-01

a full consideration Of the question, be-
cause in his judgment, the foremans quail
ifcations, long service and unblemishcd rec
ord in the department entitled him to the
promotion Foreman Wagner stands sec
ond on the list of foremen in length Of SER
vice as such, Foreman Sorrell of No. En-
CINE Company being the senior foreman. 1t
is understood that Commissioner Macfar-
lands recommendations in the matter Will
be promptly approved by his associates,
and that the appointment and detail Of
Foreman Wagner will follow Immediately
after the Commissioners have been officially
informed of the Presidents approval of the
appropriation act.
Foreman Wagner was appointed a mem
Der of the fire department April 1, 1879
being detailed as driver of the hose car
riage of No 2 Engine Company. Soon there
after he was made driver of the engine and
September 20, 1854, was promoted by Chef
Crontn to the position of foreman and as
signed to the command of Engine Company
No. 6. Upon the organization January L.
1885, of Engine Company No. I, stationed
on r street between 9th and 10Th, he was
placed In command of that company. There
he has remained ever since, with the exceD-
ton of four months during the summer of
1890 when he was placed by Chief Paris
in command of No. 2 Engine Company for
into shape, it having become for some rea-
son or other a very badly demoralized com
mand. Foreman Wagner's return to No 7
company brought about by the solicit
tation and appeal of the people residing in
the section covered by that company, and
he having accomplished the purpose for
which he was sent to No. company, Chief
Paris granted the appeal
Held in High Esteem.
Despite the fact that he is a strict discip-
linarian, enforcing from his men at all
times full compliance with the rules and
regulations governing the department, his
fairness and bigness of heart his consid
Grafton for others well as his unfailing
interest in his men and their welfare, have
endeared him to them and they hold him
in the highest estimation and have for him
the greatest regard. He is a man of great
courage and endurance, and believes in
Leading, not driving, men. His record in
the department is a perfect one, there be-
ing not even the scratch of a pen against
him. He has number of times narrowly
escaped being killed at fires, at the buning
of the National Theater several years ago
being caught up on the roof, when he was
saved by the promptness of Foreman Lowe
of No. Engine Company, who directed
the stream from that engine upon him He
was. however, badly scorched At the fire
at Barber & Ross establishment 18th and
G. streets year or two ago, he fell through
a trap into the cellar, and was only saved
through the prompt work of his compan-
ions.
He was seriously injured at the fire al
Daish's mills several months ago, and last
July was badly hurt in a collision between
his hose carriage and a street car at 9th
and streets. He has rescued number
of persons from burning buildings at he
risk of his own life, and his company has A
reputation for promptness and hard and
dangerous work second to no other
There is no more popular man in the fire
r Wnc
people who know him, white and black
rich and poor, hold him in the highest es-
TEEN. He is modest and unassumine a
man Of no small inventive genius and an
earnest advocate of modern, up-to-date
methods. Speaking Of him several months ago
to ex-Commissioner Wight, who had imrne-
date charge of the fire department.. hief
Paris said: There is no better man in the
department than Frank Wagner He is Ill
ways to be relied on First Assistant Chief
Belt has the same opinion of him, and In
speaking or the matter day or two ago
remarked that no better qualified man for
the place could be found.