Evening star., 1915-01-31
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Columbia engine No. 3
M,s, Mas qlenched fierce fires for you and me;
With gallant nremen. bnvc and free.
FOR more than one long century.
Columbia engine never fails
To quickly go where human walls
Or roaring hlazes through the night
Produce wild terror and alright.
Columbia freinen. brave and true
VIII quickly know just what 10 do
When fre alarm fills the ni-
And thrills the heart with fear and car.
JOHN A. JOYCE.
Engine Company No. was known as
the Old Columbia Engine Company
many years ago. 1t was organized in
1904. Col. Joyce, who died only a few
days ago. was frequent visitor to
the company's quarters.
Members of the citys various fire
companies are anXiously awaiting n
third District Commissioner to have
immediate supervision of the depart
ment during the past two years.
so many changes In quick success
sion: said a member Of the depart
ment. ARE hardly calculated to be pro-
ductive of the most good for the de-
partment, although often new broom
does good work"
When Henry B. F. Macfarland was a
member of the board of District Com
missioners. it is stated. he took an un-
usual interest in the department. He
met the rank and file of the depart
nent and always had a pleasant word
for them
Mr.. Macfarland has not lost that
interest" said fire fighters. To-day he
is one of the best friends the firemen
have, but there Is no reason why Mr..
Brownl0w may not become deeply in
terested in us
There are many members of the de-
partment who are anxious to have
Commissioner Brownlow visit their
quarters, make inspections and ac-
company them on a trip responding to
an alarm.
January Is is Il favored time for
members of the rc-fighting force.
said member of the department, "for
then it is that we are permitted to be-
gin taking our vacations.
Many of us are in humor for little
holiday about that time. after sticking
close to our work during the winter,
he concluded.
Under the rules of the departme mt
firemcn are not permitted to take leave
between December Is and January 15.
except for some reason that cannot be
anticipated. Not many leaves are
granted during that period.
1t has always been a custom to have
the full force on duty during the
Christmas tree fires claimed the atten-
tion of the department. but during re-
cent years only few such fires have oc-
CURED, and the time may come when
the rules will be changed SO that many
ffremen will be able to spend a holiday
with their families.
Forty applicants for positions in the
department took the physical exami-
nation Wednesday at the quarters OF
tion was conducted by the full board
four police and fire departments sur
geons. Drs. H. F. Sawtelle. W. H: r.
Brandenburg, Alfred Richards and
Huron w. Lawson. 1t was the first ap-
pearance of Dr. Sawtelle in that capac-
ity.
There are seven names on the eligi-
BILE list of the department and nc
vacancies. Sixteen other applicants
have passed the physical xamination
and are waiting for an opportunity to
take the mental test. 1t is probable
of No. engine company will he ex-
amfned by board of surgeons in the
near future to determine his physical
condition. He is one of the several
firemen imprisoned at the and 10
cent store fire more than i year ago.
Chief Wagner and Superintendent of
Machinery Thomas NJ. Robinson expect
to go to Baltimore next month to pur-
chase several horses for the depart
have to be obtained in May.
The department is not purchasing
as many horses as formerly" said one
of the officials. "and l hope the time
will soon come when the purchase will
be thing of the past"
Motor vehicles are rapidly replacing
the horse-drawn vehicles of the de-
partment
Patsy" the Irish terrier pet pup of
~ c ha ufClf
list. The pet got in the way of the
horses Monday night and was injured.
Patsy" was cared for at the house
until the return of the members of the
company and the suggestion was made
that it be killed
members. who fully appreciated the
gift of the dog by Patrick Cannon, and
the wounded pet was taken to DIR. Col
Inns hospital for animals.
Patsy is only six months old, it is
stated. and by the time 1t RECEIVERS 1t
may be old enough to be called the
company's mascot.
Driver Michael Gallagher and grt-
Yates Frank Newman and Stephen
Porter of No. truck company are on
the sick list.
company. took three days leave of alb
sence last week TO enjoy trip to
Occoquan bay. the first member of the
department to take fishing trip leave
this year. He was advised that II
might be well to take a net. with him
so early in the season.
Private r. w. Stine of No. 9 truck
company is on the sick list. He has
been i'll for about two weeks
Last week was moving time for Pri
vate Carl Lewis of No. 4 truck COM
pany. He moved from the vicinity of
9Th and o streets to Mount Pleasant.
Privates G.. G.. Fletcher and c. W.
Staples of No. 5 truck company were
on the sick list last week.
Patrick Leahy. member of No. 6 truck
company. enjoyed four days holiday
last week.
Private Robert J. Huntington of No.
IS engine company, reported sick sew
eral days ago. He was not seriously