The times., 1901-04-30

tion Approved by District officials
Commissioner Macfarland, 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 win go into
effect on May l, and Mr.. Dutton viii as
sumo the duties of his new office on that
date.
This action on the part Of the Com
missioners in naming civilian to he
head of the Fire Department was outlined
in The Times several weeks ago. The
appointment marks q departure in the
control Of that branch OF the municipal
service 10y placing man of executive
ability rather than fire fighter in the
Office of Chief Engineer 1t is expected
that this viii result in q 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-
tion. and experience in the worlds affairs
TO look after its interests.
one objection was urged against this
view. which has had some weight with
the Commissioners. that by placing
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-
poseG the fireman viii have the required
incentive TO become Assistant Chief.
Mr.. Macfarland 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, viii retire next
Wednesday, May ], on his own applica-
tion. which has been approved by the
Commissioners. The vacancy thus ere
ated should be filed 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 very
valuable plant and constantly increasing
duties. Ii covers IN its operations almost
the entire District of Columbia. 1t has
twenty-one Interpretation stations and
two more win soon be opened while an
other has been authorized by Congress,
and at least three more are needed. At
these stations are all the various forms Of
fire-hghting 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 1st Of July there will be about
2S0 men in the Department. We ought to
have, and doubtless will have soon,
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 10 have at the head Of it a man
who is not only familiar with 1t, its per-
sonnel, 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, Tor example, at the an
uual convention Of fire department chiefs.
The salary Of the Office, which is only
5000. ought TO be increased, 50 as TO be
equal TO that of the Major and Superln-
tendent OF Police, which is $500 At the
same time the salaries OF the Assistant
Chief Engineers, who should be the I'M
tiOns. under the superintendent OF the
Chief should be increased from $l,zJO TO
slS10 the same 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 IL Is regarded as OF
great Importance IN nre insurance Sellle-
ments. as well as IN preventive nre IN
spections. The salary ought 10 pe IN
creased from 81 900 to at least Sl,SVO- Ihe
n %
which are now only $1,000 each, should
be increased to $3.50 each, and CORE
spending Increases should be Ulade IN the
salaries Of the other members OF the
Congress. at the last session, adopted
the recommendation of the Commission
ers that the salaries should be increased,
although the increase gwen was coInpaId-
lively small. and in the lower salaries.
But ] 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 this memoran-
.If Congress would grant all that have
suggested in Increases OF men and sala-
ries in new buildings and apparatus, 'Our
Fire Department, whose members are 50
jealous and skillful, would have an in
creased efficiency.
I'm view of what / have said about the
vacancy now TO be filled, ] move that
Robert ". Dutton be appointed Chief En-
gineer Of the Fire Department, to take ef-
feet May ] next
The appointment Of BIr. Dutton came 10
him unsought, as he was in no sense q
candidate for the position. When the
matter was first broached 70 him, Mr.
Dutton said that he could not afford TO
take It, owing TO the a-nJJnt Of the salary
attached. II IS understood that be takes
the place at the earnest solicitation Of
Commissioner Macfarlaud, and with the
understanding that an effort TO have the
salary increased by Congress at the next
session viii be made.
In speaking Of the matter yesterday,
Commissioner Macfarland said he thought
the District was TO be congratulated upon
having so good a man 10 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 yersed in the management Of its
affairs. Il was the custom Of COmTnis-
sioner Wight, and since his appointment,
Of Commissioner Macfarlaud. 20 consult
Mr.. Dutt0n every time any important ac-
tion was taken, owing 70 his intimate
knowledge Of everything connected there
with. Mr.. DuttOn has been able TO give
valuable advice to the Commissioners and
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