Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-17
Strengthening the Fire Department.

The citizens of the District will be glad
to welcome the motor-driven fire engine
soon to be added to the District fire de-
partment. 1t will be a great aid to the
capitals excellent though understood fire
fighting force. The chief engineer of the
fire department in his annual report for the
fiscal year ended June 80. 1910, urged the
addition of this motor engine to the ap-
paratus of the department He said that
the rapid development of motor-pro-
PEELED fire apparatus and its installation
In most OF the fire departments through
out the country indicates that this city
is rather behind the times In that regard
That such apparatus is not only efficient
but also more economical than horse
drawn apparatus has been clearly dem
onstrated by the experience of other de-
partments. and I feel now that the Dis
trict of Columbia should install at least
one such machine in the near future
The motor engine. reel and truck will
probably supplant the horse-drawn ap-
paratus. Tried in other cities. the newer
apparatus has proved more efficient than
the old. making faster runs and covering
a wider extent of territory.
The next development In line will be the
installation of high-pressure water sys-
tenn. Under the terms OF the present Dis
trict appropriation bill the Commissioners
ARE directed to make an Investigation
as to the necessity of installing a high
pressure fire service system in the busi-
mes section of Washington and to report
the results of such investigation to Con-
gress at its next regular session.
A high pressure service has long been
urged by the District fire department. by
the District Commissioners and the civic
organizations OF Washington. The Com
misioners in their late report said:
"One of the most important improve
ments desired in the fire protection serv-
iceone which the Commissioners have
advocated since the year 19O1-is the in
stallation of a high-pressure water serv-
ice in the business section of the city.
Under conditions as they exist today the
District of Columbia. without this high
pressure water supply. Is not provided
with adequate fire protection. Should
two or more large fires occur at the same
time the entire equipment OF the depart
| ment would be called out: and II another
| fire occurred in another portion Of the
| city great damage and possible loss OF
life would result before aid could be rem
dered The installation of the proposed
/ high-pressure system in the business sec
ton of the city would insure all possible
| fire protection Tor the said section, ana
would also increase the protection now
| afforded the residential and suburban
sections. as the high-power engines now
in service in the business center could be
| transferred to residential and outlying
points.
| The cost of the new system has been
estimated at S75OOOO. The city has mar
rowly escaped fire disaster on more than
one occasion. On the night of July s,
1905, there were three fires, breaking out
lat nearly the same moment and each
calling for additional alarms. which re-
quired bringing into action every piece
of fire-fighting apparatus in the District,
leaving all the city and the suburbs ex-
cept the districts in which the fires were
burning exposed to conflagration. The
high pressure water system in the bust
ness section should he installed