Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-02
Will Remain With Fire De-
partment Until July l.
REGRET OF THE MEN
HIS RETIREMENT THE SUBJECT
OF GENERAL COMMENT.
Record Of the Department Since He
Took charge-Flattering In
dorsement.

Chief Engineer Dutton of the District fire
department, who has been legislated out Of
the office he has so efficiently filled for
nearly two years past, by the terms of the
District appropriation bill as passed by
Congress, stated today that he would prob
ably remain at the head of the department
until the 1st Of next July, when the new
law becomes operative. Since the an
nouncement yesterday morning that the five
years fire service clause had been reinsert-
ed as a limitation to the appropriation for
a chief engineer of the department in the
bill. Chief Dutton has received many mes
sages from his friends offering to do all in
their power to secure a reconsideration of
the matter. Mr.. Dutton said today he was
deeply appreciative Of these kind offers and
the many expressions Of confidence he had
received from business men and property
owners. To them he stated he was salts
fled with the outcome Of the affair, and
wished nothing further done in his behalf
1t is evident that the House committee on
appropriations has deter mined that the head
of the fire department should be an active
fire fighter and not an executive man This
being the case, there was nothing further to
be said on the subject. Mr.. Dutton has re-
ceived renewed assurances from the Capitol
that nothing personal was intended in the
matter.
messages OF HeSreC.
The most gratifying feature of the present
situation to Chief Dutton Is the attitude of
the men Of his command During yesterday
and today he has received from the men in
the ranks innumerable messages Of regret
that he is to leave the department. Since
soon after he was indicted into the office
Mr.. Dutton has inspired the confidence Of
the men under him. This is not only true
Of the privates Of the department. but Of the
assistant chiefs. from Senior Assistant Chief
Belt down. The relations between Chief
Dutton and Chief Belt have not only been
most pleasant at all times. but have been
cordial In every respect. Mr.. DuttOn took
an immediate interest in the affairs Of the
men Of the department. The result was g.
quick improvement in discipline and eff
cheney. Several Of the companies where
matters did not seem to be moving smooth
ly were reorganized and have since become
some of the most efficient commands In the
service. ~.
One of the new chiefs first acts was to
secure the reorganization Of the flremen's
relief association. When he took command
Of the department this association was
without head and did not have a dollar
in the treasury. Today 1t Is a fourishing
organization with Chief Belt as president,
and has 5000 accredited to its account.
Since Chief Dutton took charge several ex-
cursions for the benefit of the firemen have
swelled the fund to it's present size. and 1t
is sufficient now to meet almost any de-
mands that may be made upon it, y.
Success Of His Administration.
That Chief buttons administration of at
fairs has been most successful and has
demonstrated the wisdom Of the Commits
sioners' policy in placing him in his present
position has been conclusively shown by the
results attained. The first year Of his ad-
ministration was marked by the lowest fire
loss the District had known for twelve
years. Chief buttons work has been large
ly of a preventive character, as a number
Of prominent citizens stated to the Senate
committee on appropriations at a recent
hearing granted them. ~.
A delegation of citizens appeared before
the Senate committee when the bill was
under consideration there and the House
clause that was objectionable to them was
soon displaced. 1t was restored In confer
ence, however, although the Senate con-
ferees are said to have held out until the
last moment. At the hearing a paper was
read asking that Chief Dutton be retained,
signed by citizens whose names comma nded
attention. The signers included Woodward
& Lothrop,u c. J. Bell, president of the
American Security and Trust Company
John Joy Edison. president Of the Washing
ton Loan and Trust Company; CIV. F. Swart-
zell president b. H. Warner Company:
Parker. Bridget & Co.. Coroy Brothers, N.
L. Burchell. Lansburgh & Bro. Saas & Co..
q. G. Cornwell & Son. A. Asner, Palais
Royal; 8. Kann. Sons & Co.; Charles C..
Glover, w. B. Moses & Sons and G. W.
Howard, president of the board of fire un-
derwrfters.
The communication closed with a plea
that the restricting provision be stricken
out In order that Mr.. buttons valuable
services might not be lost.
Beneficial Changes.
Mr.. buttons administration has brought
about many changes in the department
He has visited the great fire conventions
and has kept abreast Of the times, spend
ing as much Of the fund at the disposal Of
the department as was available In the
purchase of new and improved equipment
The entire department has been equipped
with the new nozzles which throw solid
stream instead of the old swirling spray.
Life nets have been added to the equip
ment Of all the trucks and face masks have
been provided for the men who must work
In dense smoke. A new truck has been
bought which can be raised in few sec
selected only after a careful study Of the
products of the modern market. Chief
Dutton has succeeded in securing larger
general appropriations for the department
than it has ever had before.
When he took charge the firemen were
allowed only ten days leave each year.
Chief Dutton succeeded in having this leave
doubled. He introduced the merit system
promoting the in the various grades
as they reached the top. No deviation was
made from this principle. Bravery has
been promptly rewarded by promotion in
every worthy instance. Firemen have been
allowed extra days off, for service in ex-
tinguishing fires without the necessity Of
calling In the company.
The Commissioners today stated they
could not discuss the matter of Chief Dut-
at this time. r.
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