Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-14

fed with the Washington Lodge of Eiks
since its installation. He was a charter
member of that lodge. ,.
Many tributes were paid to Chief Bert
| today by officials Of the District.
Mr.. Macfarland's Tribute.
Commissioner Nacfarland said:
1.-The death of Chief Belt. SO unexpected
to me, was a shock and will be sorrow.
Ever since he became chief engineer. In
1903. as the Commissioner in lmmediate
charge of the fire department l nave seen
him almost daily about its affairs. and =
have seen his work at every important
fire. e., -.
skill and courage. AS an ADVISER ne .au
the knowledge of long experience ana 'he
advantage of good common sense.
He executed the policies adopted o!
the Commits sioners with zeal ana uiso a.
ton. All the work that he personaiiy oiu
was thoroughly done.
when he became chief we had estap-
,ished the fire-prevention system by sys-
tematic inspection, which has done 81
much to reduce the number of nres. anu
he did his full part in carrying 1t on. IN
1902 we had adopted on the sugSes.lon ot
the superintendent Of the water depart
ment the high-pressure hre-piot sts ,,n
project When Mr.. Belt became cniel WIG
annual demonstration of what could De
done with gravity pressure, most Vdio-
able object lesson.
His service in the volunteer ana pau
fire departments was honorable throus.i-
out and is an example 10 ali Tue iheh "
the fire department.
Serious Loss, Says Mr.. West.
Commissioner West said:
..The death of Chief Belt is a serious
loss to the District He was an e1pe-
rienced and intelligent fire fighter and
brought to his work an enthusiasm and
industry that resulted in the splendid de-
velopment Of the force under him.
..He was constantly on the alert for I'M
provement and did everything In his pow
err to bring the District fire department
scientious and faithful and in every way
valuable public servant.
Praise From c. c. Rogers.
Charles c. Rogers. collector of taxes
said:
The death of Chief Belt is a great
loss to the fire department over which
he SO ably presided and to the community
at large He was a capable and broad
minded man and loved by all who knew
him. His death was shock to me.
Efficient as Disciplinarian.
DIR. William Tindan. secretary to the
DIR. William Lindall, secretary to the
Commissioners, said:
Besides his eminent skill and courage
as a fireman. his efficiency as disci-
plinarian is a monument to his goodness
of heart and sagacity.
.Instead of discouraging his men by
undue punishments for trivial offenses,
+ infa Self-reSn6cf
by discriminating lenity in the matter
Of immaterial breaches of discipline.
where the imposition Of a penalty would
have impaired their ambition and eff1-
cheney
THE loyalty he thus inspired in his de-
partment was manifested by the cheerful
alertness with which it responded to every
demand Of duty"
Discussing Officers Comment.
Louis C. Wilson, disbursing officer. said:
I'm the death of Chief Belt the District
will mourn a very able official and man
Of many lovable traits
During his career as the head of on,
fire department he had not only main
tanned a high standard of discipline and
efficiency. but had endeared himself with
every one with whom he came in con-
tact"
Predecessor Praises Belt.
Robert w Dutton, deputy recorder of
deeds, predecessor Of Chief Belt, said:
although I had been told months ago
by one of the police and fire surgeons
that Chief Belt might die suddenly Of
heart disease at any moment. 1 was in
expressibly shocked to learn this morning
of his death last evening.
t, During the two years and two months
l.
partment Chief Belt was its re-fghting
head 1t never having been the intention
or thought of the Commissioners or my
self that I should be more than the ex-
ecutive chief of the department. During
that time I had many opportunities to
closely observe the work OF Chief Belt.
His progressive ideas, his energy and
his faithfulness caused me to regard him
as one of the great flre-fghting chiefs
of this country. the home of the greatest
and most progressive fire fighters of the
world So, when Congress decided that
the head of the department should be
practical fireman. l recommended. upon
my resignation, Chief Belt to the Com
missioners as my successor
His work as Il fireman fully confirmed
my estimate of his abilities. Chief Belt
died, as he wished in the harness. and the
District loses a most faithful servant and
the fire department progressive chief.
Grief of an Old Comrade.
F. j. Wagner. deputy fire chief paid the
following tribute:
1.-The death of Chief Belt was a most
rightly shock to me. We have been Of
ficers of the fire department and close
comrades for the past thirty-five years.
and during those years of close friend
ship, although we have been in many
tight places together. he was never found
wanting.
"A splendid officer and a faithful, true
comrade / can say that no more noble.
honest, true man ever lived than my
friend Chief Belt. Not only myself, but
every officer and member of the fire de-
partment mourns today the loss of our
chief.
WEATHER FORECAST
Fair Tonight, With Unsettled
Weather TueSdav. Warmer