Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-07

points.
The urgent need for this system can
not be better illustrated than by fnvit-
ing attention to the conditions which
| night of July 8. 1905 On that night the
occurrence of three fires almost stimuli
| taneously. each Of which called for add
| tional alarms. threatened the city with
| severe loss, and had it not been for the
fact that two of these fires were In the
same district and apparatus could be
promptly moved from one fire TO anotner,
| the fire department would have been
helpless. As 1T was: during the time. the
department was fighting the three fires
referred to, practically all of its appa-
ratus and men were in service, and the
| balance of the city was without fire pro-
! lection.
/ The cost of this system has been esti-
mated at $50 900. and this cost would be
the only one. as there would be no cost
| ly pumping stations to install and main
| tain, as have been required elsewhere.
The Commissioners urgently renew their
recommendation that the necessary ap-
| preparation for this purpose be provided
at an early date.
Inspection Work.
| In 1901 the Commissioners began a
| systematic effort for fire prevention in
the District of Columbia BY their di-
rection the fire and other departments
4 concerned started an inspection of all
| theaters. hotels, apartment houses, mer-
camille establishments. asylums, hospitals
schools, etc. for the purpose OF ascer-
/ tanning whether the laws and regula-
tons provided for the protection OF life
and property from fire were being op-
served and If any additional laws or resu-
| lations on the subject were required;
| These inspections, followed by addltlonai
regulations and maintained with in
creased efficiency each year, have reduced
| fire hazards. This is plainly shown by a
comparison of the fire losses, which DC
not increase in proportion with the popu-
lation and with the increase in building.
Theaters.
| Prior to 1902 the theaters i'll the city
| of Washington, while provided with fire
protection which for a number of years
| had been deemed adequate. were not
subjected to close supervision. Realizing
the danger from fire in such buildings.
the Commissioners adopted new and more
| stringent regulations and can at the
| present time confidently state that" in no
| city in this or any other country is the
public more zealously guarded from fire
| in theaters and other places OF pubic
+! assembly than in the District of Column
| bia. These theaters are required to in
stall the most complete and modern fire
protection which he obtained: they
are subjected to constant inspection; all
| scenery used therein must be strictly
| freproof; uniformed members of the fire
department are detailed for duty on the
stage of each theater during perform
ances-these men being required to eX-
| anime all appliances for fire protection
and assure themselves that they are
in proper working order before the rise
of the curtain, and no effort is spared
to insure security.
The number of moving picture theaters
in the District of Columbia still con-
tinues to increase, and the generally
crowded condition Of these theaters rem
ders necessary their strict supervision.
These establishments are kept under the
closest supervision, and the regulations
adopted by the Commissioners regulating
tehir maintenance are most rigidly en-
forced.
Additional Men.
The Commissioners feel that their eff
forts to perfect the fire department will
not be entirely successful until fifty
additional men are provided. With the
present number of men the members
of the department are only allowed one
day off every fifth day, the balance of
the time they are required to be on duty
day and night. and in event of the sick
ness or injury of any member Of COM
pany the other members must be de-
prived of this day off. The matter has
been frequently brought to the attention
of the Commissioners, but 1t has been
found impracticable, with the present
force, to allow the men more time off
duty. Should fifty additional men be
allowed. the officers and members of the
department could be granted one day off
every fourth day.
In Memoriam.
The death of William T Belt chief
engineer Of the fire department. Deem
Der 13, 1905 was a great loss to the COM
munity. Chief Belt had been at the head
of the fire department for five years
prior to his demise. and the important
duties devolying upon him had been per-
formed in such a manner as to merit the
highest praise. not only of the Commits
sioners, but the community in general.
Safety in Schools
The commissioners have for number
of years given close attention to the mat
ter of fire protection for teachers and
pupils in the public schools. BY their
direction the chief engineer of the fire de-
partment. about two years ago. personally
visited each public school building in the
District of Columbia, and submitted de-
tailed reports to what should be pro-
vided for the safety of the occupants
thereof. Upon receipt of these reports
estimates were prepared and Congress
was asked for the necessary appropria-
ton to provide such protection. A por-
ton of the amount necessary has been
appropria ted.
The commissioners have provided that
a committee consisting Of an assistant
engineer commissioner, the chief of the
fire department.. and the inspector of
buildings must visit each school building
and before it's use for school purposes the
fire protection deemed necessary by this
committee must be provided.
Motor Vehicles.
| In the estimates for the expenses Of the
! fire department for the coming fiscal year
| the commissioners have included an item
, for motor-propelled apparatus. The ne
cessty for such apparatus has been clear
| ly demonstrated, and the successful oper-
alton of such apparatus in fire depart
ments of other Jurisdictions indicates that
| the District Of Columbia is backward in
| this regard Such apparatus is no longer
| in the experimental stage. and the com
| missoners believe that the fire depart
| ment should be afforded an opportunity
| to install the same. 1t is earnestly recon-
mended that the appropriation for this
| purpose be granted.
Fire Loss.
According TO the report of the chief en-
| gneer, there were received during the
| year 5O6 bell alarms ana 494 local alarms
| of fire The total estimated loss is $500
5sl. covered by an insurance of 1895,
| OH
| year shows a decrease of S2665O over the
| loss for the preceding wear This de-