The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-18
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Insurance Representatives Call on
Commissioner MaCfarIand.

Suggestions Made in Regard to the
Selection OF Il Man To Succeed JOS
cph Paris rs Chief Of the Fire De
pnrtment-PuBIIc Work Ordered.
A delegation Of fire Underwriters called
upon Commissioner AIacfarland today to
talk over several matters with him and
especially the appointment Of a successor
10 Joseph Paris as Chief Engineer Of the
Fire Department The committee was
composed Of Meyer Cohen. Henry Wells,
Col. R. w. Tyler. II. X Simpson. a. \.
Hamilton and " Riley Decide Speaking
10 the Commissioners relative to the ap-
poiDtmeut Of the new Chief Of the Fire
Department. the committee expressed the
hope that a man would be chosen who
would build UD the department and put
II on the best possible footing 1t was
said that a selection should be made with
regard to the abilities of the chief. and
without reference to whether he was or
was not an expert fireman The commit
Tee sought TO impress on the mind OF the
Commissioner the fact that It was Of the
greatest Importance that the Fire De
partment should be very much improved,
alike as to its personnel. its discipline,
and its efficiency. The man placed at
The head of the department should raise
the department to the highest utility as a
protection to life and property of the
District
The delegation did not present to the
Commissioner the name of any candidate
II Is understood that the names Of several
men were mentioned and their availab bill
tv somewhat discussed, but the under
writer's came to discuss the situation pre-
scented in the Fire Department rather
than to advocate the name of any man for
the place Their object was to state the
views Of the Insurance men OF the city as
to the needs of the Fire Department, and
the best means to pursue in order to in
prove its condition Their view was that
the Commissioners should find man with
broad views. executive ability, and force
of character TO preside over the depart
ment without reference to his being an
experienced fireman
Commissioner relative 20 the Office and
duties of the Fire Marshal They told Mr.
Mcfarland that in their view the Office OF
Fire Marshal was an important one, not
only from the standpoint of estimating
the fire losses. but from the ST sndpoint of
constant inspection of cellars business
houses. etc, as a means of preventing
hres- They thought the office ought 10 be
enlarged and made of greater efficiency
If need be the marshal should have an as
SiStant- the committee thought IN order
might be better and more frequently
done
The committee called the attention Of
the Commissioner TO the extensive use
of gasoline in the District and asked
him that the regulations in regard 10 its
use be TIgidly enforced.
Commissioner Macfarland, after listen
ing attentiyely to all that was said and
after discussing some of the points rails
ed with his callers, told them that he ap
pIeciatcd al the advice that had been
siyen.
The Commissioners today issued orders
for public work as follows:
i new granite curb to be set on the
north side Of s Street northeast. from Sec
ord to Third Streets. at an estimated cost
of 1927, chargeable TO the current appro-
prIatiGn fer sidewalks and cUrbS around
public reservations.
4 gutter basin to be constructed on
Whitney Avenue northwest in front of
the new truckhouse, at an estimated cost
Of 500. CnaTgedble 10 the current aDprO-
5p7 or nj