The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-16

The nineteenth annual report of the
Fire Department OF ARichmond, cover
ing the work done during the year end
ing December 81, 1905, was communicated
to the Board OF Aldermen at the session
held last night in the City Hall. The
report says, in part:
This department has responded to
3B alarms fire during the year, which
mas been fortunate one In regard to
nre losses; only two serious fires occur
ring, which were quickly suppressed.
The officers and the members have
conducted themselves well. and few com
plants are heard; the entire organization
seerns TO be contentet and jealous In the
discharge of its duty.
Through your consideration, we have an
appropriation OF s97,1s0 for payroll, and
$4,000 for maintenance
Needs More Money.
Your board desires to call attention
tc It's many previous statements for the
necessity of an Increased amount for its
general expense requiremnts. as 1t is we'll
nigh impossible to preserve the past and
present efficiency of the department when
the cost of maintenance has Increased
from year to year, and In comparison
with cities of similar size and conditions
our per capita Of expenses, based upon
population, is less than statistics prove
should be the case.
Some of the engines are beginning to
show the result of severe service, and
ought to be replaced, notably No Z. on
Cary Street, between Ninth and Tenth
Streets, that has under its special care
Mathematician blocks
Our four % trucks, In the evolution
or only few years. are. obsoescent. and
we cannot safely reckon on resculnp
persons from building in reasonable
Tune. These machines can be corrected
and made up-to-date for $1,000 each
Our horses in many cases, have grown
too old for active service. and we need
ne" stock badly. and where weJforrnery
bought horses at our own price. they are
now to us almost prohibitory.
All of the above refers to the material
matters. The pay of the department. par
tcalarly the stationed members, should
be Increased to compensate for the high
cost of living, and 1t is In sharp con-
trast to the rest of the city government,
when you consider that the stationed
force are only allowed three days during
the winter, and four days during the
summer, per month. off from duty, and
the rest of the time they are on duty
hours every day.
We have gradually. as means would
permit made call men stationed, and we
nope at an early date to make the entire
'orce stationed.
Building Inspector.
Among our recommendations for 1905,
which you carefully considered, but could |
lot grant, was to provide us. with sufi- /
lent payroll to strengthen thu central |
and enable us to establish a
light truck company In the east end of
h Getty. These two propositions are for
he benefit Of the present old environ
nents and are essential. not taking into
the annexed portions, which
re will call your attention to in sup
Elemental report.
We again appeal to you to pass suit
bile building laws, and to establish the
flee of building Inspector.
Recommendations.
We renew our application for fourteen
LAY stationed men to strengthen the sew
raj central companies. We also renew
ur request for a truck company in the
'ast End, and refer you to thefollowing
n fire extension for particulars:
We recommend the purchase of an eX-
"a first size engine for Engine Com
any No. Z, Cary Street, between Ninth Z
nd Tenth Streets. the present machine
cling too light and old.
We recommend for the proper main
nance for the present equipment, where
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