Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-29
FIRE CHIEF REPORTS
Says There Were Fewer Fires
This Year Than Last.
DAMAGE TOTAL LESS, TOO
No Additional Time Off for Privates
Just Now.
FIFTY MORE MEN NEEDED
Advantages Of High-Pressure Serv-
ice Set Forth at Length and
Tests Described.
DAMAGE TOTAL LESS, TOO
FIFTY MORE MEN NEEDED

In his annual report to the Commits,
sioners. Chief Bet OF the fire department
notes a gratifying decrease in the number
of fires in Washington during the last
fiscal year There was also decrease in
the aggregate OF fire damage.
Chief Belt credits this reduction in fire
losses to the officers and men of the de-
partment, and says there are no better
or more skilful frefghters in any city
OF the United States.
Daring the past year, according to his
report. AS bell alarms were sounded. q
decrease of 90 over the preceding year.
The local alarms numbered 4l6, a de-
crease of 4 OF the S9t bell and local
alarms As were false, a decrease Of IA.
! The chief was particularly pleased with
| ths big reduction In false alarms, and
attributes it to the law Increasing the
penalty for such oTenSeS.
The estimated loss involved by the 41S
bell alarms IS set at S260. 2Gl, with an In
suranCe of 1857 900. ana that by the 416
| local alarms at $Zs.51} with an Insurance.
Of st72,E3O The total fire loss SLABS
less than the loss for the preceding year.
When it is remembered that the Dis
tTfCt is constantly. growing and the num-
her of buildings to be protected Is con-
stantly on the increase, Chief Belt thinks
this decrease in the amount of loss by
fire cannot but reflect to the credit of the
fire department.
During the year thirteen fires for which
extra alarms We're sounded caused an es-
tlmated loss of 1896. 552. leaving loss OF
only So. DID, for the other $50 fires.
Buildings Being Protected.
Chief Belt quotes the new fire escape
law and says that considering the small
force available for the work of enforc-
ing the law considerable progress has
been made, and that buildings through
out the city arc gradually being properly
protected His department. during the
past year, discovered fourteen cases In
which the regulations governing the stor-
age and sale OF Kerosene, gasoline and
other iniIammable oils were being ViO-
lated. In each case there was correc
ton. In speaking of the discipline of his
force the chief says 1t has been maintain
ed at its usual high standard. Viola tons
of regulations were few. Eight men were
dismissed from the service, one for con-
duct unbecoming an officer and seven
for intoxicaton.
The following persons were pensioned by
the firemens pension board during the
year: w. D. Baxter. August 5. 1903, $50
per month: Mrs. A. V. Beall. November
90, 1906, $40 per month; r. Dickson. April
81, 1907, $50 per month; ]. O'Leary, No
veinber /, 1906, $50 per month; Mrs. VI. E.
Shedd. July l. 1905, $40 per month: J. A
Ctterbach, July l. 1906, $50 per month,
and Mrs. S. A. Young February 5, 1907,
$40 per month.
January %, 1907, Chemical Company
No. g. located at Tenleytown. D. c.. was
changed to an engine company and is
now designated az Engine Company No.
20. This company IS equipped with a
fourth-size Metropolitan steam fire engine
and combination chemical and hose
wagon.
High-Pressure Service.
Chief Belt comments upon the much
sought high pressure service for the bust
ness section OF the city as follows:
1.-TWO practical demonstrations Of the
high pre- ssure service We're given during
the year. These tests We're made from
Smith fire hydrant connected to a 12-inch
water main located at 18th and U streets
northwest This hydrant lies eleven
squares north of the highest point of the
area which it is proposed to protect by
the high-preSSure system. AT this test
IL was shown that eight large and effective
streams could be obtained from this hy-
drant and thrown a distance of 1S2 feet
When the dminutive size of the water
main feeding this hydrant is considered
as compared with the water main which 1t
is proposed to install. 1t will readily be
seen that great results could be 90 aimed
- ZIG iIe>'SHaiS ~eiC
for the installation of a high-pre ssure
system. One Of the features of the pro-
posed system is that the frs cost would
ne the only ona, as there would be no
costly pumping stations to install and
maintain
Time OF for Men.
Concerning additional time off for the
members of the fire department. so as TO
let them get better acquainted with their
nomes and families, Chief Belt says:
During the year the question of allow
ing the officers and members of the de-
partment more time off duty was vigor-
ously agitated, and the Commissioners
were urged to make such arran gements
that the members would be allowed twen-
ty-four hours off duty every fourth day In
stead of every fifth day. as at present
This proposition was most carefully con-
sidered and was decided To be impractical
bic with the present number of men as
the strength of the various companies
under this arrangement would be nlateri-
ally decreased and they would not be able
to render the proper service "a fires
There is no doubt. however that every
effort should be made to allow the officers
and members of the department more
time off. and for this reason l recon-
be asked to provide fifty additional pri-
Yates. With these additional men the
members could be allowed one day off in
every four days without in any wav
weakening the efficiency of the depart
ment."
EAIY