Evening star., 1903-07-01
FISCAL YEAR BEGINS
Changes Made in District
Government Bureaus.
NEW MEN IN SERVICE
FIRE CHIEF BELT OVERWHELMED
WITH FLOWERS.
Other officials Receive Similar Favors
Silver Service for Retiring
Chief Dutton.
NEW MEN IN SERVICE

The beginning OF the new hscal year at
the District building brings about num-
Der of important changes. the most i'm
portant of which perhaps is the elevation
of Mr.. William T. Belt to be chief engi-
neer of the fire department, vice Robert
w. Dutton. resigned. The fire and police
departments have been strengthened ma
terially by the addition of new men, and
the District service generally has been i'm
proved by the addition of clerks, and
slight but general increase in appropria-
tions
Rarely has there been such beautifui
display of flowers as that presented in the
office Of Chief Engineer William T. Belt or
the fire department today. The popularity
of the new head of the department is am
ply attested. Chief Belt was busy all morn
ing receiving calls from his friends in and
out of the department. He was warmly
congratulated.
The handsomest floral offering of the
score or more of beautiful set pieces was
a six-foot ladder composed OF yellow roses,
maidenhair ferns. Bermuda lilies and sweet
peas. The various rungs of the ladder
were marked with red ribbons denoting
the career of Chief Belt as member OF
the department. On the lowest rung was
printed in gold the word volunteer" AS
cending. the various ribbons read: "Pri-
vate," foreman" assistant chief and
at the top ''Cnle1. Inc design Was pc
culiarly appropriate. 1t was the gift of the
men at fire headquarters The card bore
the following message: with congratula-
tions and sincere wishes for your success
Dutton. the retiring chief engineer: Sidney
Bieber, the fire marshal; F. Donnelly, the
chief clerk of the department.: r. J. Grif-
fifth, assigned to duty at headquarters; t.
M. Robinson, chief machinist; william
Coleman. messenger at headquarters, and
Bernard Bosch, representing the American
Fine Engine Company.
Other Floral Designs.
Among the other beautiful offerings were
two immense horseshoes, one from Truck
Company A and one from Engine Company
No. 10. The horseshoes were made Of
| wood ferns. red rose blossoms. with a white
satin bow carrying huge cluster OF tea
roses at the top Of the first piece, and the
second emblem Of good luck being made of
cream roses, pink sweet peas. Bermuda
lilies and a wealth of ferns and tied with
a huge bow Of nile green gauze.
There was a huge basket Of roses from
engine company No. 8. a cluster Of roses
a personal friend of Chief Belt. large
stand of pink and yellow roses. with green
and white ribbon streamers bearing upon
the diverse sides in gold letters the word
Success sent to the office by tfe
members of truck company D. Engine
company No. Is sent pretty floral set
piece and large basket of flaming glad
iolas came from chemical engine company
No. 4 in BroOkland. A gorgeous cluster of
cream water lilies, with white lilies and
ferns. came from truck company F. I'm
CINE companies Nos. 7. 3. and Il sent
huge palms messages of their feeling
for the newly promoted official.
One of the callers who visited Chief Belt
during the morning was Mr.. Frank hauf
man of the firm of Kaufman & Sons Of
Baltimore, who came over from Baltimore
especially to congratulate Chief Belt. First
Assistant Chief Wagner was present with
Chief Belt to receive congratulations.
Receives Silver Service.
The retiring chief engineer of the depart
ment. Mr.. Robert w. Dutton, was last
evening presented with magnificent silver
| service by Chief Engineer William T. Belt
| and First Assistant Chief Frank ]. Wag-
| ner. on behalf of the officers and members
| of the fire department. The presentation
| took place last evening at Mr.. buttons
| home 1926 Columbia road, Mr.. Belt and Mr..
| Wagner being entertained at dinner by
Mr.. Dutton.
Chief Belt stated that he had been au-
| thorized by the members of the depart
| ment to present the service to Mr. Dutton.
| with their best wishes and respects They
| all had the highest respect and affection
, for Mr.. Dutton. Mr.. Dutton replied that
| it was extremely gratifying to him to know
that he had won the esteem of the brave
| fire laddies, and his appreciation of their
| beautiful remembrance on his retirement
was heartfelt.
The service consisted of a coffee urn, tea
pot. cream pitcher. sugar bowl and spoon
holder. Each piece bore the engraved let
ters "R. w. d." and on one side of the
coffee urn was the following: Presented to
Robert w. Dutton by the officers and mem
bers of the District fire department, June
80. 1903"
Engineer Of Highways.
Mr.. c. B. Hunt, recently appointed eng1-
neer of highways of the District of Column
bia by the Commissioners. entered on the
duties of that office this morning, and re-
ceived the congratulations and good wishes
of those associated with him at the Dis
trict building. LINN
Mr.. Hunt has for several years past
been known as the computing engineer, but
the District appropriation BILL which be-