The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-30
Chief Belt Recommends In
Stallation Of High Water
Pressure System.
MORE MEN NEEDED
IN THE DEPARTMENT
LAST Years Loss by Fire S92,053
Greater Than Preceding
Twelve Months.

Emphasizing the necessity for a sys-
tenn of high-water pressure for fire pro
lection such as New York has Just in
stalled, William Il. Belt, Chief of the
Fire Department, in his annual report
submitted to the Commissioners today,
declares that the District is not pro-
vided with adequate protection.
should two or more large fires oc-
cur at the same time" says the chief,
the entire equipment of the Fire De-
paTJment would be called out and II
an additional fire occurred in another
section, great damage and possibly loss
of life would result before aid could be
rendered by the department.
The installation OF the proposed high
pressure system in the business section
OF the city would result in vastly in
creased IRE protection for the resi-
Dental portion OF the District. as the
large steam IRE engines now in the
business center would be Withdrawn
and distributed throughout the resi-
Dental sections OF the city at most ad-
vantageOus points, says Chief Belt.
Attention is invited to the fact that
The first cost OF this system would be
the only one, as there would be no cost
ly pumping stations TO install and main
tain. Within the area covered by the
high pressure system there would be
no necessity for the services Of steam
hre engines, as the hydrants would re-
place the engines.
Appeal to Congfess.
THE tests which have been made
showed ccnclusively the advantages
which would result from its installa-
ton, and it is recommended that the
Commissioners make special efforts to
secure the necessary appropriation of
$4,000"
The appropriation recommended by
the chief is included in the Commits
siOners' annual estimate to Congress.
The estimated total loss by IRE dur
ing the year ended June was S32J,50-,
covered by an insurance of 1888, 8s2
The less Is an increase Of Sg2U5S over
the loss for the preceding year, ac-
counted for by the fact that ten fires
alone, for which extra alarms were
sounded, caused a loss of Sl30.525
Nine hundred and fOTty-tWO local and
ben alarms were received. Eighty-seven
or these We're false. Several arrests
We're made for turning in false alarms
ana the guilty parties properly pun
ished.
The chief reviews the work of inspect
ing the public school buildings and
recommends LldL renewed efforts be
mace 10 have Congress appropriate SUI
hCient funds to provide better fire pro-
lection. Regulations requiring the neces-
sdTy protection for moving picture
shows, according 10 the report, are en-
forced strictly and the danger in these
theaters has been reduced 10 a mimi
mum.
More Men Wanted.
Chief Belt again recommends that the
Commissioners urge before Congress an
appropriation for fifty additional men
for the department. These men are de-
sired in order that the men may be
allowed more time of duty "As Il is
now" says the report. 'the fire depart
ment force is on duty day and night
and each member is allowed one day
or In every five days. In the event Of
sickness or injury 10 the members of
the company, even this day of cannot
be allowed"
Included in the report is a recommen-
dalton for G suitable repair shop. the
necessity for which, says the chief, is
more apparent every day.