Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16
SWAMPED WITH NAMES
STILL NONE SELECTED FOR LOCAL
FIREBOAT.
Letters by the Thousand Put District
Commissioners in
Quandary.

great problem faces the District gov
eminent and the administrative faculties
OF the city's governors bids well to be
taxed to their utmost ere solution is ac-
complished. The great English poet. Mr..
Shakespeare, has asked the pertinent ques-
ton, What's In name?" but if Mr..
Shakespeare had been in the employ of the
District of Columbia for few minutes he
never would have asked anything of the
sort Evidently there is a great deal in a
name and unless some good, kind citizen
comes to the rescue, the local ship of state
is liable to founder.
Way back in the archives of the District
of Columbia there is record of request
made by the Commissioners Of Congress
for fireboat. Since that date the struggle
has been strenuous, but success came as a
just reward, and at the last session Congress
became suddenly and ineXcusably generous
and appropriated money for the fireboat
All of this required work. but the greater
part of the task is ahead. What shall the
vessel be named? That is the question and
upon the answer depends the peace of mind
OF the community. Commissioner Macfar-
land wanted the help and advice of the peo-
pie, and consequently he caused to be is
sued a general invitation for names Each
ties are considering the employment of a
snow plow to sweep the letters aside and
maintain an open passageway.
Everything from ''Fireny' to THE Dorsey
FoultZ has been respectfully submitted"
and still they come. One gentleman sent
name with a brick tied to it, so his sug-
gestlon might have some weight" Mean
While the Commissioners are bordering and
the situation is exceeding grave.
An Industrious representative of The Star
plunged down into this drift pile of sug-
gestions yesterday and brought forth the
following, which contains much of instruc-
tive interest:
Having read in the newspapers a day
or two ago that the Commissioners were
considering names for the new freboat l
take the liberty of referring you to an o.u
book on mythology entitled 'Tooke's Pam
theon of the Heather Gods and Illustrious
Heroes (William and James Neal, Bal
timore. 1889. To these we may add the
story of Campus, a god of the Egyptians
who, by the help of water gained memoir
able victory over the god of the Chaldeans
When these two nations contended about
the power and superiority of their respective
gods, the priests consented TO bring the
two gods together, that they might decide
their controversy.
THE Chaldeans brought their god, Ignis'
Qire) and the Egyptians brought Campus.
They set the two gods near one another to
fight. Campus was great pitcher filled
with water, and full of holes, but so stopped
with wax that nobody could discern them
when the hight began. Fire, the god of the
Chaldeans, melted the wax which stopped
the holes. so that Campus, with rage and
violence, assaulted Ignis with streams of
water, and totally extinguished, vanquished
and Overcame him.
This story would suggest that appro-
priately might the fireboat be named Can
opus Very respectfully,
.(Signed) w. H. WAHLY."
Another chance in the grab bag of CORE
spondence discovered the suggestion APP
pomattox." by Allen Wright, who signs
himself a &c. A. r. man." IF A. W."
likes THE Eagle" and Mr. Anonymous
thinks Aqua" would sound good ]. L.
Wasney likes Alert and "A. G. W." of
Vermont prefers THE Ethan Allen" Mr..
1T. V. NJ" is quite prolific and offers :,
dozen or more suggestions, including Cloud
burst" "Deluge" and Robert Fulton"
an".ne cor,r'nnsca - -..rss ta-.t Nth
suggestions already made. Valiant" he
inquiries. when and where?" Extinguisher
we hope So: Regular--in what: Geyser,
Cataract and Cascade and all landlubbers.
Call the little vessel "Firehy."
To conclude. Lieut.. John ii. Virnstein of
Engine Company No. 8 offers Memoir"
But there are others and there is still room
in the halls and corners of the District
building for more suggestions, IL there are
any citizens not heard from up TO date. The
name will be selected after awhile"