Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-02
FIRE FIGHTING FORCE
CHIEF DUTToN PLEASED WITH
HIS APPROPRIATION.
Believes, However, That Larger In
crease Should Have Been Granted
New Engines Allowed.

While Chief Dutton did not get all he
asked Of Congress for the fire department
during the fiscal year which began yester-
day, he feels that with what was granted
quite step will be possible toward
stronger and more modernly equipped force.
Several months ago the machinist OF the
department reported that three OF its en-
gines were practically unserviceable and
liable to break down permanently at any
moment. Chief Dutton therefore asked
Congress to replace these steamers with
new and larger ones. In this he was sue
cessful, and the current District appropria-
ton bill provides for the purchase Of three
extra f1rst-class" engines. These steam
ers. 1t is expected, will be of the Metro
politan" type, and will combine the very lat
est improvements. Engines of this size
are guaranteed by the American Fine En-
CINE Company, by which company they are
built, to throw not less than LOO gallons
of water minute, and not one Of them has
thrown, when tried, less than 1890 gal
Ions per minute. There is but one steamer
in the department today capable OF throw
ing over 800 gallons and others will not
throw over 600 a minute. 1t will take about
four months to build the big new steamers,
and when they reach here one will be as
signed to No Engine Company. D street
between 14th and 18th streets; one to No.
IA Engine Company, Sth street between d
and E streets and the third one to No.
Engine Company, Massachusetts avenue
between 4th and 9Th streets. The steamers
now operated by these companies will then
be transferred to the outlying companies.
New Reserve Truck.
Ever since last fall, when the Anticipated
hook and ladder truck then used as a re-
serve piece Of apparatus was condemned as
being too dangerous to use, sthe department
has been without reserve truck. and when
one OF the six in service was sent to the
shops for repairs there were but five trucks
for six companies. The department earn
truck. and that has been done. This new
truck will be built in about sixty days. and
will, OF course, be equipped with every
modern device.
Chief Dutton in his plea for additional
companies asked, in the event Of but one
being allowed this year, that it be a truck
company for Southeast Washington. But
one new company was allowed, and it will
be the truck company asked for. 1t will
be located on the east side of Sth street
southeast near d street, on land owned by
the District. the sum of 1920 being pro-
Vlded for the construction and equipment
of the house. The men and apparatus for
this company will be provided upon the
completion of the house, which will be, ii
is expected, about January l.
The house for Chemical Engine Company
No. 5, to be erected al Congress Heights on
a site donated by Mr.. A. E. Randle. will
be commenced in week or two, and prom
ment The men and apparatus for this
company are provided in the current Dis
trlct BILL. The men were appointed yes
terday, and the apparatus will be ready
upon the completion Of the house.
Appropriations for Repairs.
The appropriations for repairs to houses
OF the department are increased 80 per
cent, those for repairs to apparatus and
for the purchase of new appliances &C per
cent, and $1,000 added to those for forage
and contingent expenses. For the compile
ton OF the departments stable on North
Carolina avenue an appropriation Of 81 300
Is given. and $500 added to last years an
preparation for horses
II am told" said Chief Dutton TODAY.
that l should feel very we'll pleased with
what Congress has provided for the fire
department during this fiscal year, and I
do. feel. nevertheless. that much more
could very well have been done for It, The
total appropriation for the department for
the fiscal year just closed was 1925 $40. and
for this year the aggregate is 1856 800. an
increase Of but $685. The department is
hardly more than half as large as it should
De, and while quite an advance has now
been made possible toward a stronger and
modernly equipped force, # is, after ali.
out a step, and in the estimates of the de-
partment for next year provision will be
asked to enable 1t to take a greater stem
forward" p