New-York tribune., 1911-02-23
AVERAGE FIRE LOSS DOWN
Waldo Reports More BlazeS than
in 1909, However.
WANTS PREVENTION BUREAU
High Pressure and Motor Appa-
ratus Receive Praise of
Commissioner.

The annual report of Fire Commissioner
Waldo. including the reports OF the bu-
reau chiefs q vast amount OF statsucs
and number OF interesting pictures, has
just been published.
Commissioner Waldo reports that al
though the number Of fires in 1910 was
larger than in 1903 the average loss was
slightly lower In 1910 there were ltiO5
fires. with total loss OF Ss,5s1,S3l and an
average loss OF S5e6 45, as against l2'431,
s7,4a.6S5 and 1897 "a in 1909
At the end Of last year there were i,4S2
uniformed men in the department, disirib-
uted among 257 companies. The following
recommendations are made by the Commits
soner
The high pressure system should be es-
rablished as rapidly as possible througnout
the Borough of Manhattan south OF l5oth
street and throughout the densely popu-
lated and manufacturing sections ol Brook-
iyn and The Bronx. The efficiency OF this
system has been demonstrated beyond ques-
ZION.
The extension Of high pressure, together
with the introduction of motor apparatus,
1t Is believed. will bring the equipment OF
the ire hshting force TO the highest efh-
cheney.
l believe that the question of fire preven-
ton should receive the most serious consld-
Grafton. and that bureau OF hre preVen-
zion Of the Fire Department should be es-
tablished. This bureau should be apart
from the uniformed force and under an OF
scial reporting directly TO the Commissioner
The bureau of fire prevention should pe
subdivided into: ,-
/ 4 division Of auxiliary fire appliances,
which should have charge OF the lnstalla-
tion Of such auxiliary fire appliances ana
fire ESCAPES as may be required in various
buildings, including automatic sprlnklers,
standpipes tanks, pumps. eXtingulsherss
etc This division should be in charge OF
competent engineer.
q a division Of combustibles, 10 perform
the work now being done by the Bureau
of Combustibes. this bureau TO regulate the
manufacture sale, use, storage ana trans
porta ton of combustibles
g. A division of inspection. This division
40 carry on systematic inspection u
premises TO determine whether or not all
regulations which may be enacted for the
prevention Of fire are being observed.
4 A burau of violations, under an Official
with legal training, for the purpose OF en-
forcing regulations in the case Of viola
tons. 49,
division to Investigate fires for the purpose
of determining whether or not any crlnll-
rality is attached and bringing Offenders
10 justice.
There are over 100 hremen, the report
rays. detailed TO theatres. which require
their services I'm order to insure public
safety.
'Jf the theatres were required 10 pay
for these men at the rate Of one days pay
for firemen, first grade, for eight hours
work OF any fraction thereof" says the
Commissioner. "the city would obtain
revenue Of over 100000 a year which
could be turned into the pension and relief
fund"
The Commissioner believes the charter
should provide for a fine of not 10 exceed
thirty days pay. instead Of ten days as al
present, as he thinks the discrepancy be-
tween ten days fine and dismissal as a
punishment for infractions Of the rules is
100 great.
Discipline has been improved. says the
report, "by the elimination Of improper in
fuences In the administration of disciple
nary punishments. Injustice and wrongdo-
INK have been ended by making all APP
pointments and promotions in the order
certified by tie Civil Service lists"
The statistics show that G3 persons in
Guiding three fremen. lost their lives at
tres IN 1910. Eleven children were burned
10 death as the result of fire due to playing
with matches, seven by fires due TO care
lessness with cigars or cigarettes. ten by
clothing taking fre from stoves and gas
ranges, six from hres caused by over
heated stoves and eight by the Upsetting
of kerosene lamps or stoves Only four
PERSONS died as the result Of injuries re-
ceived in jumping from burning buildings