Evening star., 1914-12-27
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

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Christmas celebrations were indulgei
in at some of the quarters OF ths fire.
companies, but only on a small scale.
Battalion chiefs and captains arranged
schedules for the various companies in
order that the fremen might cat din
ner at homo with their families This
arrangement proved satisfactory to ths
men, and all the latter had 20 do was
to arrange their dinner hour at differ
ent hours.
Our dinner would. have been much
more enjoyable" remarked r,emau.
IF Congress had presented Us with 3.
suitable and substantial pension meas
ure-
But he added, "wc- arc satisfied
that our campaign of publicity is CALL
ing the pension question to The atten-
ton of those who have not hereto ore
understood the questions involved in
the proposition"
Private o. H. Barteman OF Nc 10 en-
CINE company and L. W. Collins who is
taking friendly interest with the
Firemen's Association in he matter of
endeavcring to get an adGqua'e 1re-
mems pension measure pa Used py .,on-
gress. interested members OF the East
Washington Citizens Association ia
the affair at a meeting of the associa-
ton last Monday night
Barteman made favorable impress
si' upon the members OF the assoc.a-
tion and succeeded in getting a strong
resolution adopted. Copies of the r@so-
luton have been sent to committees OF
Congress, and, it is stated. members OF
the association are going to assist in
getting favorable action on bill that
will give the tremen assurance "f as
sistance for their families should they
get killed or disabled at fire.
Auditor Tweedale recommended that
the present pension law be amended
Barteman told his hearers, and ;liat
the appropriation for the pension fund
be made either wholly or one-haif OUT
of the revenues of the District.
But" he added, I'VE want it paid un-
der the half-and-half plan"
Deputy Fire Marshal Seb is never q
welcome visito" along Louisiana ave-
nue. between 9Th and 10th st. eets.
There was time when persons em-
ployed along the market line welcomed
and chatted with him.
But that is thing of the past
commented q member of the depart
ment. land all because he performed
his duty in the matter Of guarding
against fire"
The change was brought about by
the fire marshal putting a stop to the
use of tin-can stoves. Persons en-
ployed in front of business houses were
in the habit of having fires in cans to
keep themselves warm, but the deputy
fire marshal thought the danger Of
starting serious fires was too great and
put stop to the practice.
There was a time when I would get
a grasp of the hand" said the deputy.
but now it is something said IN tone
that is not audible"
The vacation season is over and only
in emergency cases are the firemer
permitted to take a days holiday. Chief
Wagner likes to have his full compile
n hra hlF ~
holiday season, realizing the danger OF
Christmas tree and store fires. and, It
is stated, members of the department
take their vacations accordingly.
But we were given ample time to do
our Christmas shopping" said mem
ber of one of the companies. Our cap
tains, with the sanction of the chief.
gave us as much time off as he could.
ut was few hours at a time the
fireman said, but plenty to get rid of
our cash..
Members of No. 1 truck company ex-
pect to give an oyster roast shortly
after the first of the year. They have
had two enjoyable roasts this season,
and it was suggested that a thi,d one
be held during the holidays.
Capt. Schrom thought it best to hold
the event after recollections or the
Christmas turkey had disappeared. His
thought was shared by others, and the
roast will be held the middle OF Jand-
airy.
Private Stephen Porter of No. engine
company became suddenly ill Tuesday
last His ailment was diagnosed as an
attack of appendicitis, and he was hur-
ried to George Washington University
Hospital, where an operation was per-
formed The operation proved success
full, and the patient is on the road TO
recovery.
Capt. p J. Sullivan of No. truck
company. who was seriously III and on
duty the greater part of the month. Is
able to sit up. He may be able 10 re-
turn to duty next week.
Members of Nos. and 25 engine
companies, No. truck company and
the harbor company have made num-
ber Of worsted shawls and neckpiecas
during the past month and presented
them to their friends
They make an attractive ChrlStmas
present." said one of the hrenien.
The shawls are made on frames. and.
1t is stated. more than 5000 haif-
bitches are taken in each one.
Private H. F. Hooff Of No. engine
company constructed Christmas house
during his spare time before CHRIST
mas. and the house is now forming
part of an attractive display under
large tree.
Members of the department receiVeu
Christmas greetings from Commits
sioner Siddons, who has immediate SUI
pervision of the department: and Chief
wagner Commissioner SiddonS said:
ITO all of you I extend the seasons
greetings and my sincere wishes that
Christmas day will bring to each oc
YOU and your families much happiness
and good cheer.
Chief Wagner's greeting was as fol-
lows: Your work during the year
1914 has been performed with-the same
efficiency and careful attention to duty
which has been SO characteristic of the
past, and as chef engineer OF the tire
department I wish to assure you of
my sincere appreciation of your efforts
to uphold the reputation of our de-
partment and to command the respect
of our fellow-citizens and offlciaIs Of
the municipal government.
II extend to each and every one OF
YOU all the good wishes of the season
and trust that you and yours will have
a most happy Christmas and a prosper
Gus New Year"