The Washington times., 1902-10-02
GUARD AGAINST FIRES|
Unusual Precautions to Be
Taken During Encampment.
SENTRIES ON BIG BUILDINGS
Places Where Hundreds of Men Are
to Lodge Will Be Watched
Day and Night.

Precaution is being taken by the Fire
Department to prevent, If possible, con-
fagrations during the Grand Army en-
campment and plans are on foot to
greatly reduce the liability. First AS
sistant Chief W 7. Belt and Fire Mar
shal Sidney Bieber have been appointed
as committee by Chief Engineer R. W.
Dutton to visit places where the vet
Grams are to be housed in large numbers
and see that everything possible is done
to minimize danger.
At the new Government Printing Office
there are to be $500 men lodged on three
floors of the building, and the placing
of cots for them will add to the danger
of fire. The fact that many veterans
enjoy their "at bed time" smoke is not
apt to lessen the danger. Chief Belt
and Marshal Bieber viii see that COM
bustible material is not allowed about
the building and will also make an in
spection to see that the exits are ample
for escape in case of a blaze.
There are to be LOO veterans quar-
tered in the Convention Hall annex on
l. Street near Fifth, and many more
at the Barbour & Hamilton building on
Pennsylvania Avenue, near Sixth Street
northwest The Pension Office will be
decorated with flags and bunting, and
will need protection, while extra pre-,
cautions are to be taken for the pro-
fires and meetings are to be held.
Men and Hose Ready.
Foreman T. w. Nicholson with de-
tail OF seven men Will look after Con-
vention Hall, and there will be 2,400
feet of hose laid into the building for
use in case of necessity. The men in
charge of Foreman Nicholson will re-
port for duty next Sunday morning and
will sleep at the building. They will,
however, be given ample time to secure
their meals. Besides the hose. the force
will be equipped with two 15-gallon fire
extinguishers with four extra charges;
ten 6-gallon extinguishers with twenty
extra charges; four 3-gallon extinguisn-
ers with eight extra charges: nineteen
ceiling hooks: three Johnson pumps and
water boxes, and three axes.
Assistant Foreman E. II. Eaton will
have charge of detail of seven men at
the Pension Office, and they will be
equipped the same as those on duty at
Convention Hall, and will sleep at the
rr,1.o H. 4
duty as-the Government Printing Office,
and three at the Barbour & Hamilton
building. These will remain on duty
only eight hours each. Few cities take
the same precaution as Washington in
guarding against fire. The compare
lively small number of blazes during !
large gatherings here shows the success
of these efforts.
Orders have been issued to the Fire |
Department that only two engine COM
panies and truck company shall re-
spond to alarm boxes south OF Penn
sylvania Avenue, west of South Capt. |
tol Street. and east of Fifteenth Street |
during the time when Pennsylvania
Avenue is roped off. During this time
the remainder of the companies shall
according to their assignment
at second fires. and to second, third,
fourth, fifth, and sixth alarms.
Assignment of Companies.
No. and No. engine companies
shall, during the time Pennsylvania
Avenue is roped off, respond TO all boxes
west of Seventh Stree and south OF
Avenue: Nos. 3, 4, and
time, respond TO boxes east OF Seventh
Street and south of Pennsylvania Ave
hue, according to their assignment.
Truck Company shall. during such
lime. respond to all boxes on the line
Of Seventh Street and west of Seventh
Street south of Pennsylvania Avenue.
and TO boxes No. is and No II: Truck
A Company shall, during such time, re-
'pond 20 all boxes east of Seventh
Stree, with the exception of No. 16 and
10. Il. Truck Company A and No. 3
Engine Company shall. during such time.
'espond by way of the east front of
he Capitol
In case Of one or the other of the diff
erent companies having to respond 10 ,
IN alarm of fire during such time. they ,
hall use the utmost precaution in !
rossing Pennsylvania Avenue 7
No. Chemical Company's district (
hall be on the south side of pennsyl- ,
ania Avenue 10 Street north, and c
rom Four-and half Street TO Fiji I
eenth Street west ]
The water tower will take station in q
ront of fire headquarters. c Street, be-
1een Four -and-a-half and Sixth Streets.
uring the time. q
The Fire Department will be noti- n
ed of the roping off of Pennsylva MIA 5
venue. and the time that thorough /
are is again accessible.