Evening star., 1903-10-24


gence. it is yet little early to accurately
Judge OF the results of these mental exami-
nations. 1t cannot be denied, however, that
from year to year the work OF the nre
fighter becomes more and more OF what
may not be improperly termed science.
demanding higher degree of intelligence.
This being so, it would seem that munich
palities are fully justified in selecting as
members of their fire-fghting forces intelli-
gent men and rejecting ignorant ones. An
examination of the personnel of the fire.
nghting forces of most of the great cities
of this country, certainly Of those fire de-
partments governed by merit alone, VIII
demonstrate that the day of the clustering.
disorderly and ignorant fire fighter has
passed and that that fire department is
most efficient whose members are sober,
disciplined and intelligent men,"
Pay of Men insufficient
Mr.. Dutton declares that the pay received
by the District fire fighter is neither in
comparison with the dangers he faces nor
with the service he renders. Nor is it such
as to make his retention in the service rea
sonably certain. Indeed, he asserts it is
just the reverse. the consequence being that
many of It's best men are yearly lost to it,
1T is claimed" says Mr.. Dutton. that
the District fire fighters the poorest
paid in this country. and the claim seems
to be we'll supported. 1t is certain that the
dangers they face and the service they rem
der are as great and as eXacting and neces-
Sary as those faced and rendered by the
local policemen. Yet the local polceman's s
pay rs considerably greater than that re-
ceived by the District fireman. The Off
GERS and members o.. the District police
1orce are fully en- led to every penny paid
them: but the officers and members of the
Hfe department are. 1t is respectfully sub
mitted, as fully entitled to equal compen-
sation."
Charging that the insuficiency of the
supply of water for fire-fighting purposes
tir,,1 ~ i,~ Ir,.-;
ness section of the city. has often been
demonstrated. Mr.. Dutton says that the
18th of last February, at the fire in Moses
u Sons warehouse. 14th and Il streets
Senior Assistant Chief Belt complained that
there was not water enough available to
supply the steamers engaged. This, Chief
Belt stated at the time, was especially true
as to the three extra first-class engines, it
not being possible, he and the department
machinist reported, to run one of them to
its capacity because of lack of water in the
mains The department, says Mr.. Dutton.
believes many more fire hydrants should
be erected not only within the city limits
but also in the suburban sections. In the
business section of the city it believes there
should be a fire hydrant on every street
corner.
Mr.. Dutton renews his recommends ton of
year ago that a hgh-pressure water
system for fire-fGhting services be installed
in the city, declaring that such a system
would mean both quicker and much more
elcctlNe service lilan could De fenGefeu Dy
double the number of available fire engines
under the existing water supply. and would
indeed render unnecessary the presence OF
a fire engine in that territory. The high
pressure water system for fire-fighting serv-
ice he says. it is confidently believed by most
fre-hghting authorities. will in the near
future supersede the steam fire engine in all
cities where such system is possible and
the District department is Is confident that
its Introduction here would mean greater
economy in the maintenance of the fire
fighting force and greater security against
fire.
Recommends Fire Boat.
At the time of the disastrous river-front
fire in April, 1902, Mr.. Dutton strongly ad-
vocated the construction of a fire boat for
the use of the fire department, and he earn
estly rerews that recommendation. Two
serious fires on the river front have since
occurred. the three entaiiing n loss of
about $1Go,G00, a sum about twice as large
as the estimated cost of a suitable fire
beat. Referring to the fact that at each
of these serious river-frOnt fires it becomes
absolutely necessary to call into service
about every steam fire engine in the de-
partment, with the result that for the time
the rest of the city is left practically unpro-
tected against fire, Mr. Dutton says this
would not happen if the department pos
sessed a fire boat another powerful and
convincing argument why one should be
provided, in his opinion.
Inspection of Oils.
The fire marshal being required to in
spect and test oils for Illuminating or
heating purposes sold or brought here for
sale, and to examine and report upon all
premises on which authority to sell these
oils is sought, Mr. Dutton finds that it is
practically impossible for the fire marshal
to perform these and his other numerous
duties, and he recommends that an in
spector of oils be provided and empowered
and required to collect fee for every in
spection and test made by him. Such fees.
lit is understood, are imposed in a number
OF the states. and Mr.. Dutton believes that
were they authorized here they would not
only provide the salary and expenses of
the inspector, but also add materially to
the revenues of the District.
Mr.. Dutton recommends the establishment
IN the department of a school of instruction
for the newly appointed men, and earnestly
urges better quarters for the men, recon-
mendiug that engine houses and and
chemical engine l be replaced by modernly
constructed and equipped structures He
states there was much less sickness among
the men during the past year, the surgeons
having issued 46 less sick cards., and haV-
ing paid 3i3 less visits than they did the
year previous. No member of the depart
ment died during the year, and not one was
permanently injured, the record in these re-
SDects being that Of the previous year The
surgeons examined 232 applicants for ap-
pointment accepting 101 and rejecting 12J.
Three members OF the department were
placed on the retired list and each pensioned
at $50 per month -Four pensioners died,
the widows of two being pensioned at $50 a
month, and three minor children the
pension list reaching the age of sixteen
years the allowance thereupon ceasing. The
total amount paid to pensioners was in
creased but S15 month. from S1.,09 to
81 ,524 or $50 annually. The strength of the
department was increased by the appoint
ment of the seven men to form the Congress
Heights company. Thirty resigned, num-
Der of them doing so to accept more deSir-
able positions. No member was dismissed,
although several resigned rat er than face
charges. All vacancies We're pi omptly filed.
The filing of charges against men for trivial
CffenseS was discouraged. and men perform
ing exceptional service were promptly re-
wardad by promotion or by granting them
extra time
Every Fifth Day Off.
Recognizing the fact that the members of
the department were the most closely con-
fined of the District employees, Mr.. Dutton.
Just before leaving the department, made
provision for granting them one day off
duty in every five, beginning July 1, 1908.
Two years ago they were. on mis- recommen-