Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-20
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

; Fire department officials all over the
country are anxious to find some device
that will assist in reducing the number
of false alarms.
Not only are they annoying" remark
ed local official, but they are ex-
peusive. and it is possible for such
alarms to cause unnecessary delays in
responding to real fires. and thereby In
crease the danger.
Numerous devices have been tried in
this city, but for some reason. 1t is
stated, none of them proved satisfactory
to the persons who were called upon to
pass upon them.
Some of the older members of the de-
caused a flash and an explosion when
the alarm was sent in, while six-inch
gong attached to another device was
calculated to attract attention and as
sist in apprehending person seen run
ming from box.
But for some reason" said a mem
Der Of the department. that was not
acceptable It may be that people are
too hard to please
Rre Marshal Nicholson and his as
sistants are seeing to strict enforce
| ment of the law governing fire preven-
ton at theaters.
During the year. said the fire mar
shall In his annual report. there was not
one case OF violation Of the theater reg
ulations on the part of either manager
Of theater Or travelling production.
The regulations requiring all scenery
to be treated with fire-resistant solu
ton before being used has been strictly
enforced This not only includes the
stock scenery kept in the theaters. but
all scenery brought into the District Of
Columbia to be used by the travelling
companies in their production. This also
applies to public halls using scenery.
Such scenery is tested every Monday
morning. and must be properly treated
and stand a satisfactory test given be-
fore being allowed to be used in any per-
formance.
IT is interesting to study the causes
assigned for fires shown in the an
nual report Of the fire marshal Consid-
erably more than $50 causes were as
signed for total OF 1.42. fires that
The largest number from any one cause
was given as 203-from boys playing
! with fire: the second highest was 146.
from the careless.us of matches.
Lighted cigars and cigarettes, gas
and gasoline caused many fires.
Thirty-eight were attributed to rats
snawing matches. numerous fires in
automobiles We're mentioned in the re-
numerous instances when a blaze start
ed from overheated stoves, defective
fues and sparks from railroad en-
gines.
who are interested in gardens soon will
begin preparations for getting the soil
| In condition for spring planting. Some
OF them started the work before the
last snow appeared. thinking there
would be no more winter weather. but
the freeze caused delay in their plans.
Paul Steinman. assistant engineer of
, No. l engine company: took short va
f.a NJ Ia ct 10 ri M int. m
work about home.
Assistant Driver f. J. Ruffner Of No.
engine company suffered an attack OF
the grip last week. He had such a
to take sick card.
An inspector from the health depart
ment last week visited the quarters of
No. 4 engine company and found the
company lockers in splendid sanitary
condition. They were only recently in
stalled.
81 don't know what he thought Of the
| house and surroundings" said one Of
| the firemen.
1t was suggested that the inspector
probab bly, will recommend the construc-
tion OF a new house in which to put the
| lockers.
| Then" remarked one of the men,
| everything on the premises will be in
sanitary condition.
| company took holiday last Tuesday
| Just to rest up" said member of
| his command.
| Private Fl. II. BicksIer of No. 10 en-
CINE company has returned from sick
! leave.
| Z. l.. HUNT. engineer of No 10 COM
pany. took holiday last Wednesday.
| J. d. Martin. private in Capt. Ros-
siters engine company. had holiday
yesterday.
| Capt. H. NJ. Mcconnell of No 12 en-
CINE company enjoyed day of vaca-
| ton last week.
company recently enjoyed a short va
cation. He was or duty three days.
| Deputy Chief Andrew J. Sullivan who
has been on the sick list for several
| weeks, is able to pay an coca sional
visit to his quarters.
J Marine Fireman n. W. Lee of the
| Firefghter last week took four days
OF holiday. He visited relatives in Vir-
| gtnia.
Private Jeremiah Sullivan of No. 20
engine company was on the sick list