Evening star., 1902-01-24
PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE
NECESSITY FOR NEW APPARATU.
RECOGNIZED BY LEGISLATORS,
Representatives Discuss the Needs o.
the Department and Approve
Appropriations.

The urgent need Of at least three new fire
steamers to replace the three old and
Worn-out engines at present in service, but
of slight practical good at a confa agration
and the editorial in The Star recently call
ing attention to prompt action on the part
of Congress to replace the old apparatus,
was matter Of discussion among men,
bers of Congress at some of the hotels .last
evening
There was complete unanimity OF SEN
timent that whatever may be the cuts in
the appropriations for the District by the
committee on appropriations, that an extra
item should be included in the bill provid-
ing for the new steamers, and also, on the
part of some members, all other needs that
may be necessary to supply the fire depart
ment with whatever apparatus it may re-
quire to place it upon much better footin,
than at present to meet the ordinary and
the extraordinary demands which may at
any moment be made upon 1t to fight fires.
Immediate Action of Vital Necessity.
1T is imperative for the protection of the
lives and the property of those in this city
that all reasonable demands by the fire de-
partment should be granted by Congress
without hesitation said Representative
julius Kahn Of California to Star re-
porter. Il observed the editorial in The
Star as to the disabled and worn-out
steamers, and both regret and am sur
prised to learn that such is the case. No
city can afford for moment to be close in
the matter of its fire fighting facilities. It
doesn't pay at all. In San Francisco, we
are liberal in our treatment of our fire de-
partment, and we have one of the best in
the world. Not only are we proud of it,
but We are proud of the fact that some of
the best fire fighting machines now in use
a ND tpir taa rxyfth
rapid hitching harness in use all over was
invented there. as was the water tower,
and the Hayes truck of almost universal
use Economy in providing fire apparatus
has been proved to be false economy Of the
most reckless kind. Too much is at stake
1t won't do. l am sure that Congress will
not pass by any recommendations which
may be made by the Commissioners, II it
is shown, as The Star sets out, that WASH
ington is sadly In need of fire apparatus,
let us all devoutly hope that it may never
be said again. If it be shown that WASH
ngton needs five steamers Instead of
three, let the city have Them
Most emphatically am 1 in favor Of a
perfect fire department for the capital
said Representative Tawney of Minnesota.
TN my town of 25, 900 inhabitants. Winona
we take the utmost pride in our fire de-
partment, and we have splendid water
pressure, and all the apparatus we need
and it is kept in fine order. with the result
that our fire losses are very small
We must not lose sight Of the fact that
our magnificent public buildings, to say
nothing Of our fine private structures, are
practically at the mercy of bad fire with
out adequate apparatus and a good water
pressure. The loss of one of our executive
departments with its priceless records
would be a blow to the nation as wei. as
the city of Washington. I am sure shat the
| matter is not fully understood in Congress,
else there would be no question as to
enough apparatus and men to man n Pv
all means a good fire department If not
other things
Good Pay for the Firemen, Too.
Washington should have all the fire.
| lighting machines 1t needs. and the firemen
should be suitably paid said Representa-