The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-06

Deputy Chief Maher Will Get New
Administration Medal for His
Rating System.

Manhattan and has seen fire
duty In the financial section. His
name appeared on the roll OF merit OF
1903 as having rescued with two other
fremen Capt. Collins of Engine Com
pany 10 from the hold of a burning
ship at Pier Is. East River.
Another important proposal, and one
which has been put into immediate
effect, was that advanced by Capt.
Charles T.. Field of Hooo and Ladder
Company 1O7. Capt. Field proposed
that uniformed men should be drilled
in various physical exercises in
order to keep them constantly Mt for
their work. He has long been inter-
ested in athletics and was n OF the
first members Of the Brighton Ath-
letic Club.
Capt. Field was born in New York
in 1869 and entered the department
January II, 1891. He vas attached to
Hook and Ladder Company 107 when
he met with a disastrous accident.
He was acting as tillerman n night
and responding to an alarm when in
crossing the Long Island Railroad
tracks his truck was struck by a loco
motive and he was so severely injured
that one Of his arms and all of his
toes on one foot had to be amputated.
He was in such good physical condi-
ton, however. that he was back at
work in the department within three
months. Owing to his severe injuries
he was detailed to clerical work Mt
Brooklyn headquarters.
He subsequently became inspector
of forage. fuel. gas and electricity and
had charge of the hospital and train
ing stables for horses. He was one Of
the first to suggest that the depart
ment do its own horseshoeing.
Capt. Field attributes his remarkable
recovery from his accident to the
physical exercise in which he was in
Mt that time. In a letter which he
wrote to the Commissioner with ref
erence to his proposed exercises he
| said:
1T is one of the most essential quail
fcations required for members in this
department to render good service az
all times to have a regular daily ath-
letic drill in company quarters under
the direction of company commander
at such time as the officer may desig-
nate. dumbbell exercise. parallel bars,
&c. tending TO develop muscle and
strengthen physical condition 4 com
bat with the severe strain attending
work at fire.
"On entering the department the
men have practised and trained &c
pass h athletic examination re-
Quired. but after appointment the
training stops and the men put on
extra weight. The older men are
considerably overweight for their
height and care very little for any
exercise or additional work. conse.
qdently the Fire Department is not
using or developing their physical
strength in keeping the men in con
dition for any emergency, and as tho
most important duty is r%escuing life
men ought to be in the best possible
active physical condition"
The suggestion made by Capt. Field
was put into effect in the early par,
of May and was a pronounced sue
cess from its inception. Certain diff.
ficulties as TO the best method OF
conducting the work. OF course. hat
to be overcome. To teach calisthenit
exercises to 5000 men required NJ
little organization.
a certain number OF men were ARE
fully selected by chief officers from
each company and required to repor
for instruction at the West Side Youns
Mems Christian Association, Manhat
tan. These men were put through
rigorous course of drill and thorough!
instructed in the various exercises
After becoming efficient drillmaster