Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-31

your interview with me i'll my office.
make The following statement concerning
this mornings fire at No. 1917 + stree,
northwest
I. Il Was first informed of the IRE by
clerk in our employ, who had noticed a
chcmica, company in service while stand
ing at the corner of 18th and r streets
and Immediately ! went to the IRE
ground
After watching tho firemen connected
with the chemical company work at the
fire a few minutes, and wondering why
the fire department was not coming on
the scene, I approached a bicycle police
man and asked him if n box had been
pulled but receiving no reply to my ques-
ton and having noticed volumes of dense
black smoke coming from the roof OF the
burning building. / proceeded to box 142
at the southeast corner of 18th and +
streets. where l asked the engineer In
charge of a steamer the same question
and he replied that 1t had not l asked
him why, and he said the captain Of his
company was nScharga and that he could
not pull it without orders
Il then asked policeman who was
standing within five or six feet Of the
box. tand who must have heard the con-
versation ] had with the engineer>. II he
would not turn in the alarm. and rcreiV,
ing no more satisfaction from him than
] did from the other gentleman referred
TO, and feeling that the building which,
by this time was in flames, might be de-
stroyed. and that ] had extended the
seemingly necessary courteSieS to the fire
department and to the police department,
as well, I lost no more time. but pulled
the box. and soon had engines and truck
companies on the scene.
Fails to Secure Water
The engine. at 18th and F. did not get
water in the pipes until after the arrival
noticed. after a line of hose was laid
out and was being hauled to the top OF
the building by means of a. rope, that a,
about the time it reached the second
floor II WAS filled with water. rendering
the firemcn practically helpless. and sew
eral more minutes were consumed in get
ting their burden into action.
Having always upheld our department
! was much chagrned at the action o,
Yesterday. and although ! am not ac-
aiIainted with all its rules and regula.
tons II does seem TO me that when a
fire is tiEst discovered. especially by ;,
fireman, in the business section. his frs,
duty should be to summon assistance a,
once and take no chances.
All Liable to Err.
In calling your attention to the facts
it viii he remembered that no man is per.
iecl ana al OF 10 Orc iiapls TO err. Dul
let us correct our mistakes and sec tina,
they are not repeste and in this way Ne
can improve conditions. no matter wla,
our vocations might be.
''ITiremen have not the same ADVANTAGES
as other employees OF the District govern.
Inent but, on tho contrary. have in many
respects much more to contend with.
therefore le, these things be remembered
in our reprimands"
Mr. Grove also said the statement that
before the fircmen had reached the scene
an alarm had been turned in from box
AZ was not true. as he turned in the
alarm from that box To get the depart
mcnt out. He added that he did not
make a complaint to Chief Belt. but that
official went to Mr.. Groves office and
sought the information which is Set forth