Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-10
70 PROMOTE FIREMEN
TO BE MADE UNDER
NEW LAW.
Commissioner mcfarland Discussing
the Matter with Chief Belt
Plans Under Way.

In addition to his other duties Comnlis-
sioner Mcfarland Is now busily engaged
in arranging for the reorganization OF the
District fire department, which is to go
into effect July 1, as was authorized by
Congress under the last appropriation act.
There will be a number of important
changes appointment and promotions. ana
the members of the fire department are
awaiting, with considerable interest, the
action of the Commissioners. In providing
for the appointments and changes incident
to the reorganization Of the department
Commissioner mcfarland is consulting
Engineer VIM. T. Belt as to the records of
the men eligible for promotion and their
Present qualifications for assuming addi-
tional responsibility.
The new law creates the position of depu-
ty chief engineer, at a salary of 81, 500 per
annum. The title of the three assistant
chief engineers will be changed under the
reorganization to that of battalion chief
engineer, the title of the foreman will be
changed to that of captain, and the as
sistant foremen will be known hereafter as
lieutenants. The firemen on the engines
will in the future be designated as assistant
engineers. The changes in the titles of the
officers in the department are made. 1t is
understood to correspond to the titles of
the officers Of similar rank in the police
department, and, incidentally, it is an
ticipa ted that an effort will later be made
to obtain an increase in salary for the
members of the fire. department equal to
that paid the members of the police depart
ment Of similar rank.
AT present the positions of assistant chief
engineer are held by Frank J. Wagner.
James keliher and A. J. Sullivan while
Foreman John Sherman has been serving
ffv,,n
ststant engineer. 1t is authoritatively stat
ed that Assistant Chief Frank ]. Wagner
VIII be promoted to the position of deputy
chief engineer, after July l. Assistant
Chiefs keliher and Sullivan will be ap-
pointed as two of the battalion chief en-
gineers, but the foreman to be selected for
the vacancy caused by the promotion Of
Chief Wagner has not yet been determined
1t Is understood that the position Of acting
assistant chief engineer will be eliminated
Third Battalion Chief.
With regard to the appointment of the
third battalion chief, it Is stated that the
appointment will be made from among the
foremen, who. after July I, will be known
as captains, and that the foreman at the
head Of the list in point Of length of serv-
Ice will first be considered for promotion
to battalion chief engineer. In making the
appointment of the third battalion chief,
ers viii consider the present qualifications
and proficiency of the men eligible for pro-
motion. In the event the man at the head
of the list Is not considered as at present
possessed of the necessary qualifications, 1t
is understood that the Commissioners win
consider the next candidate On the list and
so on until the man deemed suitable Is de-
termined upon.
The list of foremen who have served In
the past as assistant chief engineer In the
department includes the following: John
Sherman, J. w. Smith, ]. e. Hooper, P. D.
Martin, T. Donohue, c. F. Beers, J. w.
Darlington. H. w. Wright. 8. r. Henry and
P. w. Nicholson. It is anticipated that one
of the men named tn this list will be APP
pointed as battalion chief engineer.
Commissioner Macfarland said to re-
porter for The Star today that he has not
decided whom he will recommend for the
appointment of battalion chief engineer.
He said, however, that he will probably
have the list of changes and appointments
and promotions ready by the middle of next
week.
Mr. Macfarland said also that he has
ben collecting data concerning the con-
structiOn of fire boat for the river front.
for which purpose the last Congress appro-
Iriated $63, 600. He said that from mfor-
nation already obtained he Is ccnhdent
that very satisfactory fire boat can be
constructed out of the amount available.
Chief Belt has written to number of fire
ckiefs in various cities where fire boats are
in use and has obtained from them plans
and descriptions ard other data relative TO
fire boats. 1t is stated that the District
may find it necessary to employ the SER
vices of a naval architect for the construc-
ton of the fire boat, as it is proposed that
the local department be provided with. a
boat fitted with all modern convenlences
and facilities.