Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-04
LOCAL FIRE LADIES
Effort to Make More Efficient
the Departments Work.
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL
Precautions Adopted to Prevent
CONGREGATIONS.
OUNCE OF PREVENTION" PLAN
Means by Which Annual Loss I.
Cut Down to Advantage
of Community. I
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL
OUNCE OF PREVENTION" PLAN

''One OF the items in the estimates Of
the District Commissioners for :he ensu-
ing fiscal year which It is hoped will at
tract the favorable consideration OF the
appropriation committee of the House of
Representatives." an official OF the Are
department said to a Star reporter, rs
the request for fifty additional prvates
for our department.
THE proposition IA one which should
appeal to any one at all informed as to
the domestic sacrifices which now have
to be made by the officers and members
OF the department. and 1t is urgently
hoped that the relief sought may be given
by our lawmaking body.
1T is desired that the members of the
department may be allowed twenty-four
hours on duty every fourth day instead OF
every fifth day. as at present. and VISA
the additional force asked for the men
could be allowed to go off as proposed
without in any way weakening the eff
cheney of the department.
In fact. the Commissioners were urged
to make such arrangement as would per-
NIT OF this detail but, though the propo-
sftfon was carefully considered. it was
decided to be impracti cable with the pres
ent number of men. as It was feared that
the strength of the various companies
under such an arrangement would be SO
materially decreased that they would not
be able to render proper service at fires
Aid in a Worthy Cause.
THE department is in much need OF
these additional privates in any event,
and surely 1t will be aiding worthy
cause. both from the standpoint of the
protection of the city - Washington as
against fire and the giving of a hlttl,
well-earned liberty to a force OF men
whose bravery. devotion to duty and eff
fciency are matters in which both their
officers and the citizens of the capital
take a pardonable pride. Indeed, the at
tention of Congress is invited TO the eX-
cellent work of the department through
out last year-and previous years. for that
matter-which Is evidenced in the reduced
fire loss. and we justly feel that credit
should be given to the officers and men
for their cheerful. energetic and skillful
work In safeguarding the people and the
property of the District.
I'm fact. 1t should be stated for the ben
eft of all concerned that the losses from
fire during the past year. as compared
with the losses of the preceding year.
were considerably reduced. largely due
to the fact that the inspection of all bust
ness houses, hotels. theaters. public halls
and private residences was vigorously
pursued. All conditions which would in
any manner cause or have a tendency
to promote fire carefully watched.
exis. they are ordered abated at once
or within reasonable time.
THE results accruinR from this rigiu
inspection of property by the fire marshal
and his competent force of assistants are
most satisfactory. as they tend to prevent
fires and also to produce feeling of Sc
curity and safety on the part of property
owners.
Precautionary Efforts.
"One of the main features of our work
is what We do to prevent fires, though 1t
is carried on SO quietly that 1t is not
observed by the general public; our Ell
forts in their extinguishment can more
readily be seen. Take our theaters. for
instance They are regularly inspected at
least twice a week to ascertain whether
or not the fire regulations are complied
with, and 1t may be said parenthetically
that there are few cities in this country
where the audiences are better safeguard
ed by precautionary measures against
fires than in the capital. Men are always
on duty on the stage during per
ances, the safety skylights. the stand
pipes. Waterman connections. fire cur
tain adjustments, hand fire-fghting APP
pliances. exits and fire escapes and scores
of other matters are most r,sidly IN
spected daily by the men detailed from
the various companies to stand on duty
during the performances, and notning IS
left to chance that can reasonably be
guarded against as the result of long ex-
periencc In such matters.
"All of this calls for detailed mon from
the regular force, and is another reason
why our plea for additional privates
should be needed by Congress. Our regu-
lations are strict that they require
that all the scenery of travelling com
panies be treated with fire-resistinS
material before use in our theaters This
&c, nd Monday
morning before the first performance OF
the week. proper affidavits are required
from the managers, and where the
scenery fails to stand the test the
manager is required to comply with the
regulations before he is allowed to use 1t
In the performance. This rule extends 10
public halls. churches and other pubic
places where bazaars and entertainments
are being held.
Other Needful Items.
Another item which the department
hopes Congress will favorably act upon
is that making allowance for clerical
assistant for the fire marshals ONCE.
There is much more work attached to this
office than is generally understood. In
spection is made of all mercantile houses.
and others in the instances to which L
have adverted. and when it is remem-
bered that about 5000 Of these inspec-
tons are annually made the necessity for
q recording clerk ought TO De apparent,
as the records must be systematically kept
and filed so as TO be ready of access at
any time. With an assistant the Office
system now in vogue could be improved
upon, better and more work could be
accomplished in the keeping of the rec
ords and other clerical work which Is
now neglected could receive proper at
tention.
There is a unanimous sentiment on the
part of property owners in this city, es-
peciaIiy in the downtown sections, that
Congress give US the hgh-pressure serv-
ice Two practical demonstrations were
given during the past year of this val
liable and much desired service, and tha
tests were made from the hydrant con-
nected with a twelve-inch water main To-
Gated at 18th and U streets northwest.
This hydrant lies eleven squares north OF
the highest point of area which 1t Is pro-
posed to protect by the high-pressurs
service, yet 1t was shown that no less
than eight large and effective streams
could be obtained from this single hydrant
and thrown a distance OF Isl feet
when the diminutive size of the water
main feeding this hydrant Is considered,
as compared with the water main which 1t
Is proposed to install. II will readily be
seen that great results could be obtained
IL the necessary appropriation could bs
had for the installation of the entire sys-
tenn and one OF the favorable features OF
the proposed system and one which