Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-20
FOR THEJCOFFEE FUND
OVER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS
ALREADY SUBSCRIBED.
Plan to Provide Tiremen With Hot
Drink and Sandwiches During
Cold Weather.

Wnen Commissions mcfarland opened
his mail at the District building this MORN
ing he was most Pleasantly surprised by
finding among the zstters a number con-
tanning checks and subscriptions to the pro-
posed fund to provide coffee for the mem
bers OF the District fire department while
they are engaged in battling with the
flames during cold weather. The two seri-
GUS con1agrations OF yesterday morning,
with the thermometer almost down to zero,
brought home to the people Of Washington
the suffering the fire fighters have to en-
dure In their combats between the two ele-
ments OF fire and freezing water. During
the progress Of the early morning fire at
the Moses shop on 14th street the thermom-
eter ranged down as low as 4 degrees.
when the first fierce heat of the blaze had
been subdued the water thrown from seven
large MOBILES was blown in freezing spray
coated with ice, and icicles hung from he'll
NETS, and hands were benumbed by the in
tensity of the cold atmosphere and water
combined.
To Fit Up Fuel Wagons.
1t was after witnessing the incidents Of
that fire that Commissioner Mcfarland
made the suggestion, as reported in The
Star last evening. that the citizens of the
District be invited to subscribe to what is
to be known as the firemens coffee fund.
1t was suggested that If subscriptions
amounting to $500 or $500 could be obtained
the four fuel wagons of the department
could be fitted with coffee urns and supplied
with tin cups, sugar, ETC., and that coffee
could be served from these at all confia-
grations where 1t might be needed. In the
same way If the fund obtained be sufficient,
sandwiches should be obtained by the fuel
wagons In cases where the men are called
out without breakfast and compelled to re-
main several hours at a fire working under
adverse physical circumstances and weak
ened from a lack Of food.
The subscriptions received this morning
amounted to SOL and 1t Is expected that
during the day the fund will be materially
increased. Mr.. Macfarland says that be-
tween $500 and $500 will be sufficient to
provide the wagons with urns and purchase
a years supply. It is the idea Of the au-
thorities that the residents OF the District
may be invited to replenish the fund from
time to time as 1t becomes exhausted. The
greatest expense attached to the very hu-
name project is the first cost Of the coffee
urns and other utensils.
The Contributors.
Mr.. Harry Norment wrote to Mr.. Mac
farland, Enclosing his personal check for
$25 and another check for $25 from his
mother, Mrs Mamie E. Norment. Mr.. w.
P. Van Wicl1le Of the Bradbury Piano Com
pany, who Is at Fort Monroe, telegraphed
this morning that he had read of the sug
gestion and that his company gladly sub
scribed $25. Mr. James E. Fitch sent q
check for IS; Mrs. Sarah c. Hughes, So;
Claudius B. Jewell, $; IS. V. X" 81, and
Cherry & Moran Company, $40. All Of the
contributors expressed their approval Of the
fund in enthusiastic terms. saying the fire
men deserve it.
Commissi> her Mcfarland Is naturally
much gratiIied at the prompt and generous
responses that are coming in. He sent for
Chief Dutton Of the fire department and
requested him to go ahead and equip the
four fuel wagons with boilers and tin cups,
coffee and sugar, trusting that enough
additional money will be received to pro-
vide for the entire expense.
A fuel wagon goes out on every second
alarm from any box. A third, fourth or
fifth alarm takes out two more fuel wagons
and a sixth alarm takes out the fourth fuel
wagon. Chief .Dutton has ordered the ma
chinist of the fire department to get bids
for the boilers and equipment, so that ar
rangements may be made as quickly as
possible.