Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-06
MOR| MONEY NEEDED
@fcoNTINUED FROM 7FIRsr PACED

attended to promptly It is safe to s.
sert that the uniformed 1iremen Of this
city never were more comfortably quar-
tered than at present; the board having
supplemented every necessary convent
ence.8
Ihe apparatus of all Kinds, both active
and reserve. is in superb condition, and
the officers and men of each company
rival each other IN their efforts to main
tain their supremacy. Much work is
done IN our own shops, and the depart
ment has just finished extensive inn
provements on one of our reserve en-
giQes, saving the city at least $500. We
have also placed In service splendid
combination wagon, built in our city.
saving by that means several hundred
dollars, besides encoura ging home fac
tories. we have in service fifty horses,
and are constantly renewing them, aim
ing always to have frst-class animals,
Decrease in Firelosscs.
we are glad to report great decrease
In fire losses, as compared with the pre-
vious year, though the alarms have main
tanned a high average There were many
serious fires in the beginning OF this
year. notably the Cameron Cameron.
e. W. Gates, Son &: Co.. w. S. Gum s
lumber yard. Cordes & ,Mosby, and =. c..
Younger's, but they were confined to
their premises. as they always nave BEEN
and we trust that this immunity will
continue.
Extended improvements in the water
service have been made and are being
continued, and the most cordial rela-
tions exist in these coordinate branches.
We desire to thank your honorable
bodies for the appropriation for the es-
adjustment of q. new engine company,
which has now been completed, and es-
tablished in the northern part OF the
city, and occupies a responsible position,
responding to sixty-three alarms. This
company and property were placed in
service within the appropriate and we
return with pleasure a balance Of about
$3.50.
We sincerely suggest that you carry
out the rest of our recomm endations
made in this connection, and appropriate
an amount as per estimate furnished for
the organization Of an engine company
in the West-End, not only to reinforce
our present department, but to protect
the valuable improvements that exist and
are being made in that prosperous sec
ton. The commissioners have we'll de-
fined ideas OF what they can do, and it
only awaits your favorable action to
round up and equalize this departm ent,
which would answer for years to come
without further increase, This property
should combine both truck and engine
companies, and would furnish great pros
lection to our citizens in that locality.
We again respectfully urge you to in
crease our expense account of the fire de-
partment which. was fixed by the As
sembly Of 1883, and has never been In
creased. Material and every necessity has
increased in cost, gas and water are
charged to us. and We have so per cent.
more horses besides the new companies
put in existence. We recommend that
you allow $4,000 for our expenses.
plea for More Money.
We also desire to thank your honora-
BILE bodies for the appropriation necessary
for the purchase of a new aerial extension
hook and ladder truck, which has been
ordered, and will in q. few days be placed
in service in Truck Company, No: :, To-
Gated at Eighteenth and Grace streets.
thus replacing an antfquated truck which
has been in service for over thirty Years.
Again. we emphasize that YOU place to
our credit sufficient means to pay our
permanent hoseHen and laddernen SO
per month. instea d of SIS. These servants.
Of the people are beyond question the
poorest paid men in the city government,
and on reflection you will observe that
they are on duty twenty-four hours a
day, confined to- IN engine-house, and
without regarding the dangerous service
they are called on to perform; you will
see from calculation that they do not
average 81 per day. We have twenty
eight in numbers and to average their
pay to SIS per month. would only re-
quire all increase in our payroll of 81
$40 In nearly every case they have fami-
lies and are required to purchase special
uniforms, which are frequently ruined at
fires, independent of the increased cost
of living in these times. The separation
from their families alone is severe az
Fiction, and your most earnest conslde-
ration of the above is requested.
we renew our lamentations for q
building. inspector, and we have had seye
raj object lessons this year Of buildings
falling which indicates that the Office is
necessary.
we urge you to pass such laws as will
require owners of all buildings, over
three stories, to erect stand-pipes and
the necessary attachments to enable the
department to more efficiently attack
fires in buildings Of such height.
Fire Alarm Department.
Our ire alarm service has given the
most gratifying results. and is simply
up-to-date. Through your efforts, $50 eco
was appropriated to place IN a limited ter
ritory our underground system, and we.
are pleased to report that this has been
done, and that efficiently, and the cleo.
trical engineers Of this country and
abroad unite in saying that the system
is unique, original and complete, and vast
ly superior to any other in existence.
which was evolved by the mind of the
City Electrician, ". II. Thompson, and
his associates. You are referred to his
report for detailed information.
It would be q, proper testimonial, be-
sides equity, to increase the pay of our.
electrical engineers at least 10 per cent,
because they are also required to be OH
duty always and are inadequately paid
The thanks Of the board are due to
his Honor, the Mayor, and Il, your hon.
orable bodies for the patient and gene
rous consideration always granted to the
department; and our thanks are espe-
cially due to the honorable Committee
on Water and the Board of Police Cons
missioners. whose kindly cooperation has
been Of such great assistance.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN II. FRISCHKORN.
President Board Of Fire Commissioners.
Much Routine business.
r. w. Grafton, Jr., was appointed sub
stitute in Engine Company No. 5, on pro-
baton.
G. T. Snead was transferred from
Truck Company No ] to Engine Com
pany No. 8, and 6. B. Wood was trans
q ~