Evening star., 1902-08-12
ESTIMATES FOR 1904
Chief of Fire Department
Submits Interesting Figures.
INCREASES ASKED FOR
ENGINE COMPANY DESIRED IN
SOUTHWEST SECTION.
Coal to Cost $4,000 and Forage $4,000
More Than Last Year
High Prices.
INCREASES ASKED FOR

Mr.. Robert W. Dutton chief engineer of
the fire department. this afternoon submit
ted to the District Commissioners his estl-
mates for the maintenance and increase OF
the department during the fiscal year end
ing June 20. 1904. Mr.. Dutton asks for a
total of s4S9. .22o. which is an increase Of
$3.50 over the amount appropriated tals
year. This is recaptulated as follows:
Salaries, S2T5,36o. increase Of s2S.0 .0S0; mis-
cenaneous expenses, $S0,3GO, increase of
s14JOO; increase of fire department, $500,
which is $50 40 more than was allowed
this year The estimates in detail follow:
Superintendent (now chief engineer),
81. 800: increase of 500. Note: Since May
l, 1901, the chief engineer. the ranking
officer of the department, has been charged
merely with its executive work and man
agemeut. Hence the recommended change
of title.
Chief engineer (now senior assistant CHIEF
engineer), 5000: increase of $3.50. Note
Since May l, 1891, the senior assistant enter
engineer of the department has been lts
chief fire-fghting officer, and because OF
his long service, excellent record and abiI
tiles, the increase Of salary Is recon-
mended.
Three assistant chief engineers. at 81 500
each. an increase of one and advance IN
salaries of two of $500 each, $500. Note:
IneSe OfflCerS IN Inc absence OI the Slllci
engineer. command the force at fires at
tended by them. being in immediate charge
also of battalions averaging nearly l'g
men Their responsibilities are great anu
many. and being no less, 1t is respectfully
submitted, than those of a captain OF tle
police force, it is recommended that they
be given the same salary.
Clerk 1920: increase Of 5000. Note:
Years ago when the department was not
more than half as large as it is today, 1t
had. as now, one clerk. While the depart
ment has doubled in size since then, the
amount of clerical work now required TO
be done has increased fourfOd at least.
The Department. clerk has not only to
perform usual clerical duties, but is also
required to keep the accounts of the de-
partment and its yOlumfnOuS records, super
intend the distribution of supplies, and
stenographically report all cases coming
before the trial boards. 1t is therefore be-
Heved that he is entitled to the increase
OF salary recommended.
Increase for Fire Marshal.
Fire marshal. $1,000; increase of $500
Note: The work and responsibilities of this
officer have been added to year by year
until he now occupies one Of the most i'm
portant and responsible positions under
the District government, and the increase
of salary recommended is not believed to
be disproportionate to his increased labors
and responsibilities
Machinist, 81 200; Increase of 5000. Note:
The machinist or master mechanic of the
department is held responsible for the
proper working condition of It's apparatus,
vehicles and innumerabie appliances, and
all repairs to the same are either made by
him or under his personal supervision. He
is subject to duty, day and night, the year
around, and the salary now paid him Is
less than that of an ordinary mechanic.
Twenty-six foremen, at s1,2OO each, an
Increase Of one (tO command the truck
company 20 be located in the southeastern
section OF the city), and an increase of 500
per annum in the pay of each, s31,20O
Note.-The foremen of the department re-
ceiye the same pay today they have re-
ceived for thirty-twO years, notwithstand-
ing that their work and responsibilities
have grown as the city and District have
grown in the past thirty-twO years. They
are men who have spent. as rule. the best
part of their lives In the department, and
1t is respectfully submitted that they have
well earned and deserve the increase of
salary recommended.
Fourteen engineers, at 81 900 each, 81. 900;
fourteen fremen, at 800 each, sl2, 600;
twenty-six assistant foremen, at 500 each,
3 100.
Note While there is no such officer of
the department in law as assistant fore
man, to every company Is assigned, under
the authority of the rules and regulations
governing the department such an officer.
He assumes in the absence of the foreman
not only the command of the company, but
also all the responsibilities of that officer.
In law, however, the assistant foreman Is
recognized only as a private, and receives
the pay of private, $40 per annum, ex-
cept in the truck companies. In these COM
panies he Is both assistant foreman and
tillerman. The tillerman Is not only rec
ognized by law, but also receives $500 per
annum. Therefore there exists this rather
unjust condition: The assistant foremen of
truck companies receive $500 per annum
and the assistant foremen Of engine and
chemical companies receive but $40. The
appropriation OF s23. 400 for the twenty six
assistant foremen really means an increase
Of bnt 81 for there ShOnld ha hednpra1 o
from the apparent increase Of $4,000 the
sum of $500 for seven tillermen Zone for
the truck company to be located in South
east Washington and six now In service),
and si5.S6O for the nineteen privates now
serving as assistant foremen.- Should this
Item for twenty-six assistant foremen be
not approved then there should be one in
serted for seven tillermen at 500, Sc 800.
Twenty-seven drivers, at $500 each, an
increase of one. for the truck company in
Southeast Washington, s24,3OO.
One hundred and sixty seven privates al
$50 each, a reduction Of three, or 81 500
$40. go. Note: The promotion of nineteen
priyates to be assistant foremen, above
recommended, would provide, by the ap-
pOintment OF men to take their places as
privates, a sufficient number to man the
new truck company and strengthen exist
ing companies. Should, however, the item
for twenty-six assistant foremen be not
fayorably considered. then there should be
provided 1856 privates, instead of the 161
now recommended.
Twenty-six watchmen. at $500, an in
crease Of one Ior the truck company in
Southeast Washington. $4,000 One la
borer. $3.50 One stableman new, 500
Note: The stable for the department pro-
vided for in this last appropriation act
has been completed and occupied for sew.
eral months, and ii has been necessary tC
detail private to take charge Of 1t in the
absence of provision for stableman. The
department has hardly sufficient men &c
man its twenty-five companies, and the
stableman recommended is badly needed.
Miscellaneous Expenses.
Repairs TO engine houses. $4,000 increas,
of 81, 500. Note-While the current appro
priation act increases the allowance for re-