Evening star., 1915-04-11
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

the suburban sections much oVerliho
work during the past few weeks.
Such fires are more troublesome than
fires in buildings" remarked a fireman
shortly after returning to his quarters
after he had participated In fighting a
fire in the woods for moro than three
hours and they wear out a fireman much
quicker"
Members of the department say they
seldom get any credit for extinguishing
fire in the woods, although such fires
are likely to do a great amount of dam
age. In most instances this spring the
department has succeeded in preventing
such fires from reaching dwellings. but
fremen say they may not always be SO
fortunate
One Of the most serious brush fires that
have occurred in this vicinity this spring
carried dremen some distance into Mary
Land
What the fire really meant" said one
Of the men who fought it. was a running
fight for distance Of more than two
miles, and with no water at our COM
mand. 1t was merely a case Of doing
the best we could with the means We
had, and it was fortunate that we pre-
vented the destruction Of buildings"
Many such fires happen in Maryland a
j snort distance across the boundary line,
while some Of them start on one side of
the line and burn their way into the other
jurisdiction
Members of the department are in
terested in the report that the COM
mittee investigating the uniform con-
tract is going to make.
III the report results in reducing the
cost OF the uniforms" remarked a fire.
man. 1T Will be a great thing for us.
What we would like to have accom-
plished, however. would be the enact
ment of measure that will provide
for the District paying for all or part
Of the uniforms.
II am told that the city governments
OF some places pay for the uniforms
of both firemen and policemen. and
while the furnishing of uniforms for
two departments In this city is being
considered, why would 1t not be well to
consider all sides of the question:"
IT is frequently remarked that the
life OF fireman is a lazy one, the cas-
ua1 observer believing that his duty
consists only in responding to alarms
and fighting fires. Such is not the
case. however. as the rules of the de-
partment clearly show
Every member of the department
has to do what is known as house,
watch" said one of the officials of the
department, "and during such watch
he has numerous duties and RESPONSE
bilfties which he cannot shirk."
A man on watch has to look after the
fires. answer telephone calls. see to
the care of horses and that vehicles
der the responsibility for almost every
thing about the quarters.
Capt ]. f. Hooper of No. truck COM
pany no longer has a horse-drawn ap-
paratus In his charge, a motor-driven
truck having been installed in his quar-
ters Thursday morning.
The truck that was turned over to
him formerly was known as No. 10
truck. and 1t was equipped with a
tractor because 1t was much heavier
than the apparatus belonging to No. Z,
the lighter vehicle being transferred
to the house where horses will be in
service for some time.
Members of Capt. Hooper's company
took lessons in the handling of the
vhicle equipped with a tractor, It is
stated. and when it made its first run
no time was lost in reaching tho
scene Of the fire.
An interesting meeting of the Fire
mems Association Is scheduled for to-
night. The meeting will be held at
11th and E streets northwest and a
large attendance is expected.
Fifty applications for membership in
the association will be presented, leav-
ing only about thirty members of the
department not members of the asso-
citation.
Secretary Smith has received re
sponses from ninety-six cities in the
matter of Information bearing upon
the pension question The Information
is being tabulated and will be turned
over to the Commissioners to be used
in the framing of pension bill to be
offered at the next session Of Congress.
Capt William A Dixon of No. truck
company is the only victim of the ac-
cident to the truck at Pennsylvania
avenue and 9Th street who is in the
hospital His condition has improved
very much during the past few days.
Il ha he will ha oh 1n 70
the hospital in the near future.
Private John B. Leavelle, another of
the victims was able to leave the hos
pital last week and go home. Private
mems Association, was the first Of the
injured men to return to duty. He re-
turned Wednesday morning. and Clar-
ence Ruffner reported for duty Thurs
day morning.
Capt Charles E. Schrom and members
tirely satisfied over the prospects of
losing Mike, one of the most faithful
horses in the service. The horse drawn
apparatus soon will give way to a
Mike and the three other horses will
have to go elsewhere.
Mike" has established a remarkable
record of considerably more than
the company say they feel they are
going to lose an old friend.
Private R. NJ. Curtis of No 1 truck
company. who sustained a severe in
jury to his hand while fighting a fire
in Pennsylvania avenue building. ex-
poets to be able to return to duty
early in May. 1t was feared he would
lose one or two fingers. but 1t is now
reasonably certain that the fingers will
be saved.
Private N. S. Bradford of No. 1 truck
company Is enjoying his annual leave
of twenty days at Moundsville. w. Va,
his former home. He took his family
with him
Charles v. Mcintosh. driver of No
truck company, is taking instructions
In the handling of a motor truck. He
partment's repair shop on North Caro-
lima avenue.
Private F. ]. Sylvester of No. truck
company. who is familiarly called Maj
Sylvester, has taken his wife and
Niagara Falls for ten days.
The fireman expects to catch some
large fish while on his outing.
Lieut.. J. r. Steele and Privates r. c.
Glasscock and c. w Rice Of No. truck
have taken their touring cars
out for the season.
The three members of the company
keep their cars in splendid condition
and get thorough enjoyment on long
rides, spending many of their
days eff on the road, and much of their
will be spent in the cars.
Their favorite rides are through low
er Maryland over the state roads. Pri-
vate c. d. Bartelmes of the same COM
pany enjoys motor cycle trips through
lower MARYLAND.