The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-20
FIRE CHIEF WAGNER
ASKS MANY CHANGES
Urges Installation of High
Pressure in Business
District.

Directing attention to one instance
during the last year in which the entire
District was without fire protection.
Chief Wagner, OF the Fire Department.
urgently recommends the installation OF
high pressure fire protection service In
his annual report submitted to the Com
missioners today.
Perhaps = no time I'm the history OF
the Fire Department has Washington 8
need for a high pressure system been
more clearly demonstrate than on me
night Of July 1908, when two fires. one
of which called for a second alarm and
the other for a fourth alarm, occurred
at 9:n and $40 p. m, respectively"
says the report. ITO these alarms every
available piece of apparatus responded,
with the exception OF three chemical
companies on the outskirts OF the CITY.
The entire District Of Columbia was,
therefore without fire projection. In
addition 10 these two alarms another
alarm was received at 11:1O D. m, which
called for a second alarm.
No More Engines.
ITO this alarm the department had
nothing to respond but the three chemI-
cal companies above referred to. and IL
was only due to the ability OF the De-
partment to control one OF the first two
fires that engines could be spared to
send 10 the third fire.
Had the business section Of tho city
been provided with the high-pressure
service the three fires could have been
handled without difficulty, and there
would still have been companies in
quarters to respond to any additional
alarms received.
The carrying out Of this project would
result in giving the business section OF
the city three times the protection which
Is now afforded and would also give
double protection 10 the residential cen
tiers, as the steam fire engine now IN
the business center would be trans
ferred.
The advantage of having storage c.s-
terms at various points throughout the
business section or the city has been
clearly shown by numerous tests made
OF the cisteTns now located at Seventh
street and Louisiana avenue and at
Tenth and D streets northwest. Six
other similar cisterns are asked for.
Thirteenth street and PennsvIya MIA
avenue northwest
Thirteenth and F streets northwest.
Fourteenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue northwest.
Fourteenth and G streets northwest.
Ninth and T streets northwest.
Seventh and r streets northwest
Chief Wagner again urges the re-
placement Of hOrse-drawn vehicles by
motor propelled fire apparatus.
THAT such apparatus IS not only eff
Cient but also more economical than
horse-drawn apparatus has been clearly
demonstrated by the experience Of other
departments says the chief. II feel
now that the District OF Columbia
should install at least one in the near
future. The estima es for this depart
ment FOR the next fiscal year. II passed
by Congress, will place az the disposal
of the COMMISSIONS. funds from which
such vehicles can be pun chased. II IS
recommended that this provision he ap-
proved by the Commissioners and ad-
vocated before Congress
Tribute to Belt.
The following tribute 70 the late Chief
william T. Belt IS paid by Chief Wag-
ner:
"A few months ago gloom was cast
over the members Of the fire depart
mcnt by the loss % their chief For
1.e years they had been directed and
Defricnded by him IN such manner rs
TO command not only their respect and
obedience, but to earn that love and
esteem which can only come 10 an hon
est. upright man. The years that toll
low his demise cannot dim the memory
Of his friendship and kindness. his jus
tlce 10 all, and his magnificent ability
Fifty additional men are recon-
mended. The members OF the depart
ment are allowed only one day off in
five and the balance OF the time are
required 10 be on duty day and night.
They ask that they be allowed one dav
Off every fourth day" says the chief
and I believe that this request is rea-
sonable and should be compiled with.
This can be done II fifty additional men
are provided"
During the year 1000 alarms were re-
Ceived. The total loss was $500, SOL 50,
covered by insurance Of $3.50 .941. Six
teen fires resulted in a loss Of Sl65 07J
leaving loss Of $50 4S6 % for the re-
naming 951 fros.