Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-10
MEETING OF FIRE wARDENs.

wagon.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
BOARD of Fire Wardens was held last
night President Risheill presided and
Wardens MelchiOr, Harlow and Sum-
mers were present.
After the transaction of the average
volume of routine business the wardens
proceeded to consider verbal charge
which, however, had not been formally
made, to the effect that Engineer Smith
of the Columbia had not in person turned
in the alarm of fire last Monday night,
by reason of which all the other a. ra-
tus, together with Chief Pettey, AN
away from the fire instead of proceeding
to it.
Mr.. w. w. Ballenger, member OF the
Hydraulion company, appeared and ask
ed if any charge had been filed with the
wardens against Mr.. Smith, and upon
receiving negative answer said ne was
glad to hear it. He then proceeded to
state a grievance, the result, he alleged,
of the Hydraulion not being properly
notified of the location of the fire on
Monday night last. Mr.. Ballenger said
he knew the alarm had not been proper
ly turned in to the Hydraulion, while
the Columbia engine had been sent d.
rectly to the scene of the fire. A ma
terial witness by whom he could prove
his assertions had refused to be put on
the stand, and he asked that the rule re-
quiring the paid members of the depart
ment to turn in alarms before the ap-
paratus left the houses be enforced.
Mr.. Summers said Mr.. Wythe White,
manager of the Bell Telephone, had APP
peared before the wardens previous to
Mr.. Ballenger entering the room and
stated that the high wind on Monday
night had crossed the wires and that at
the telephone exchange it was impossi-
bic to say from which engine house the
alarm had been sent. Central only
knew it was fire alarm.
On motion of Mr.. Melchior it was de-
decided to send for Messrs. Smith,
Bontz and Clapdore and call their atten-
ton to the rules requiring the engineers
land in their absence the drivers) to send
in alarms before leaving the houses.
In few minutes time these gentle
men were seated before the wardens
when Mr.. Risheill called their attention
to the rule and the penalty for its infrac-
ton ten days's suspension), and said ex-
amples would be made of those who
violated it.
Mr. Smith acknowledged that he did
not personally turn in the alarm Mon
day night. 1t had been given by Mr.
Norman Treakle. Mr.. Smith said he
directed him to announce that the fire
was in the 4th district.
The matter was finally brought to a
close after explanations had been made
and directions given. 1t was also an
nounced that in future Central would
ring up the engine houses at IL m. and
10 o'clock at night in order to see that
the telephones were in working order.
Several other matters were discussed
while the paid employees were present,
among them that concerning the number
of men allowed on hose wagons. Mr.
Bontz said the rule allowed four men, -
three beside the driver. Mr. ClapdOre,
in reply to question, said the rule
allowed but eight men to ride on the
truck, but often many Others hung on.
He suggested that part of the foot board
be removed which would leave standing
room only for the number allowed; be-
sides it would prevent the sagging of the
truck.
1t was determined that the rules limit
ing the number of persons allowed to
ride on the wagons and truck be en-
forced.
The wardens have received a COM
munication from the paid employees
asking for each one days holiday in the
week. They suggest that the wardens
and police commissioners have joint
meeting and endeavOr to formulate a
plan by which the seven engineers and
drivers can be relieved by the snbsti-
tuition of one of the policemen. The
plan is to enable each Of the seven men
to have one day in the week to call his
own. The employees in their communi-
cation also suggest that if the city will
purchase a patrol wagon one of the seven
men can have charge of it and that 1t
can be kept alternate weeks at the re-
spectiue engine houses and one of the
horses of the department used. The
purchase of the wagon, therefore, would
be the only cost to the city. They argue
that tits occasionally necessary to trans
port persons to the aims house or to
carry injured people to the hospital. The
wagon would answer for such purposes as
well as for police work.
1t vas intimated that the Fire War
dens would meet to consider charges pre-
ferred by some one against Engineer
Noble Smith, and it was also rumOred
that the Columbia's engineer had po-
litely but positively stated he would not
accept suspension of ten minutes, and
the wardens were so informed. tits byno
means clear that the power of suspen-
sion or removal is vested in the Fire
Wardens, either under State or city ordi-
nances. The power of appointment or
election to position does not always give
power of removal to those making the
selections. The new constitution in
section 100 leans to placing great power
in the hands of the Mayor when it
says: "The Mayor shall see that the
duties of the various city officers,
members of the police and fire de-
partments, are faithfully performed,
suspend, remove, etc." under certain
conditions. Upon one occasion, Friday,