The Washington times., 1902-04-13

highest class. or even 1cf next to The
highest class, Our newest engine and
best-No. l4-ghile rated first class. is
practically third class engine. because
there are several e&sses of fire engines
known as first class.
Entire Department Needed.
This afternoon from $50 to G:3O
o'cIock-one hour after the sixth alarm
had rung-therc were three fires near to-
gether on the river front. The entire de-
partment, the fourteen engines six trucks.
the chief. his assiGants. and all his peo
pie able to travel were in the neighbor-
hood. Suppose at that time the White
House. the National Theater. any of tae
big hotels or department houses, had
caught fire. What would have happened
THE District Commissioners have been
very much moved in regard to these CON
ditions. and last year and again this year
recommended that Congress strengthen
the appropriation. This year they Wen:
further than ever
The report of Fire Chief Dutton form
cd the basis Of the recommendations 10
Congress. Chiei Dutton has made an eX-
haustive study OF the situation and the
needs of the department. Through his ad-
ministrati0n and Intelligent expenditure
of he money AZ his service the efficiency
Of the department is due. He has intro
Guced many innovations such as the East
man nozzles. the latest and best type of
fire eXtinguishcrs, the smoke masks for
>he men who fight the flames, the life
saving nets, etc.
The Commissioners. in making their
recommendations to Congress based on
Mir. buttons report, had to face the fact
that a large increase in expenditures was
necessary. The fact that the depart
mont has been getting along for years
without adequate expenditure is no war
rant that il should continue to do so. An
increase sufficient TO build four new sta
tiUns was recommended. At present one
engine that near the Jefferson School
building, most cover ali OF South Wash
ingtCn. One engine ard one truck cover
Southeast Washington and Anacostia. In
this district are the Navy Yard. the Ar
senal. and St Elizabeths asylum, with
its hundreds OF patients.
1T was recommended that II only one
enginehouse was erected four frst-class
engines should be put in the more I'M
portant districts, and the older ones
shifted to the less important places. Pro-
vision for additional chemical engines
was asked for one being needed at Con
gress Heights where preparations have
already been made to bi:ild house Ior
il. An increased amount with which to
purchase general appliances was asked
for.
Recommended to Congr S..
1T was recommended that S5CO,O0O be
appropriated to provide the section oil the
city lying between Seventh and Fifteenth
Streets and Pennsylvania Avenue and
street, with high pressure hydrant serv-
ice from special mains connrets,. "tth the
reservoirs. The hose could be attached
directly to the hydrants, engines not being
necessary. and suficienG power could be
had to throw a stream oyer any building
In that section It wolld be simpler.
quicker and more effective method, ana
the three or four engines now in those
districts could be moved out to other sec
tious, where they are greatly needed.
IAN increase in appropriation was also
asked for the purpose OF administration
and management OF the department. IL
was recommended that the once OF Su-
perntendent of the Department should be
created. The chief engineer should De
retained. and his duties consist OF the
actual direction of the fire fighting, and
his pay increased.
These needs of the District nave oeen
presented to Congress. and it is hoped
that some action will be taken The SIT
uation between $50 and $50 TINS atter-
noon furnishes a striking Illustration oil
what may come no one knows when. Be
cause we have been providentially free
from any terrible conhagration In the
past is not warrant for US to hope that
we will always be"
At the time Mr.. Macfarland was speak
ing such engines as could be spared from
the fire at the river front were clatter-
ing over the streets to fire in the
store house at Twenty seventh and X
Streets. Mr.. Macfarland said, referring
to the latter fire:
"a couple OF hours ago those engines
could not have been spared for that work
Suppose the gas house, which Is IN that |
nelghborhood, had taken fire when all OF
the department was busy at the river
front"