The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-21
FIRE DEPAR TMENT
GREAT ON PARADE
But Crowd Watching Show Ad-
mits That 1t Is Even Greater
in Fighting FLAMES.
HAD AN NUAL INSPECTION
Men Highly Commended by
Commissioners for Excellent
Appearance.

with every strip OF metal on engines
and trucks glitterlng in the sunlight,
we'll groomed horses plunging and
prancing as they drew the heavy ma
chinery, and men resplendent in new
uniforms and shining brass buttons,
the Fire Department passed in review
before the Mayor and the Board OF
Fire Commissioners yesterday after
noon, and made the most credltable APP
pearance in the history of the organ
ization In lees than half an hour af-
ter the parade formed at Third and
with the exception of three companies
held in reserve, covered the distance to
the City Hall, had been inspected, and
every company was moving to its en-
CINE house in one part of the city or
another. After the parade had been
dispersed the Board of Fire Commits
sioners held a short meeting and
adopted q resolution instructng Chief
Joynes to commend the captains of
each company on the excellent appear
ance of their men, horses and equip
ment.
Crowd Watched Parade.
Promptly at 3 o'clock the depart
ment. with the exception of the reserve
companies, assembled at Third and
Broad Streets and were lined up un-
der the direction Of Chief Ioynes
When the procession moved east on
the commission and several guests oc-
cupied carriages at the head of the pa
rade. They were followed by the chief
and his assistants In their wagons. and
then each company with It's engines.
ladders and trucks. Down the south side
of Broad Street, which was lined with
spectators, the procession had the right
of way. Reaching the City Hall. 1t
swung to the right. making the loop
around the building. and halted before
the headquarters of the Fire Depart
ment in a glitterlng line that extended
from Eleventh Street beyond Eighth.
With a snap and precision that re-
minded one OF a crack artillery corps
the men, all save the drivers, who had
their hands full with their fiery horses,
lined up before their machines and sa-
luted as the inspectors passed down the
line. As rigid as we'll trained soldiers
they stood until the last company had
been inspected. and the signal was
given to break ranks, and the restless
horses began the journey back to their
stalls. Hundreds of spectators who
stood on the sidewalks also returned
to theii york, but with conviction
stronger than ever that Richmonds
facilities for combating flames are sec
ond TO none in the country for its size.
Spectacular Work.
Incidentally, the scene was enlivened
by the performance of the hook and
ladder companies, which ran their life
saving ladders far above some OF the
high buildings on Broad Street. and
with the hose tower showed how
stream could be played in any direc-
ton from height more than that of
the ordinary building. while the men
operating it remained on the wagon.
During the inspection the services of
severa! extra policemen were necessary
to keep back the crowd and clear tho
street car tracks There was NOT a
single accident.
In the board meeting following the
inspection the resignation of w. j.
Botto, recently elected to the police
force, was accepted. r. b. Southland
was promoted from call man In No. I
engine house TO grade b fireman in
truck company No. ., succeeding Mr.
Botto. Substitute James NJ Bowles
was elevated to grade in engine com
pany No z.
Company No. IS, of South Richmond
and Company No. IL, of Church Hiu
We're held in reserve, while the reserve
company occupied No. 3 engine house