The Washington times., 1917-07-22
WAGNERPUTS
APPROVALON
TWO-PLATOON
FIRE SYSTEM
Veteran Chief Says He Wants
Men to Enjoy Life As Other
Men DO-Says Cost Would
Be Met Without Complaint.
By BILL PRICE.

Fire Chief Wagner will recommend
TO the District Commissioners the
two-platoon system for the fire
fighters Of Washington. He wants
his men to have opportunity to feel
the human bond Of companionship
that other men in the world enjoy.
He knows that this Is denied them
under existing conditions Of duty
covering all Of the twenty-four
hours.
The grizzled veteran Of many g
fight with the flames Is worried
about only one thing-whether Con-
gress viii give him the extra men
he thinks win be necessary should
the hremen be accorded q twelve
hour day shift.
Men Are Optimistic.
IAN I want Is sufficient men to safe
guard the lives and property Of the poo-
pie Of the District" he declares He es-
Inmates that Il may take Q considerable
increase in the force should there be q
change to two-platoons, each working
twelve hours. but he Il sure that the
public viii not consider dollars a.
against humanity; money against
homes. mothers. and children.
Backed by Chief Wagner and the al
most daily indorsement Of their desires
by big organizations and influential men
in the District; especially pleased with
the attitude Of The Times, Washington
hremen are optimistic today. They are
confident that the District Commission
ers will urge Congress to grant them
some freedom with their families and
with mankind generally.
Commissioner Brownlow. they point
out. has been a steadfast friend to the
Police Department In securing better
conditions and more pay. He has not
been IN charge OF the Fire Department,
but in the absence Of Commissioner
Newman. in training at Fort Myer for
the reserve corps Of the army, he will
dictate many Of the items that win 70
to Congress in the next estimate for APP
propriations by Congress. They look
confidently TO him 10 point out to Con-
gress the severe conditions under which
Washington fire fighters work. and to
ask for additional men, IL 1t Is decided
that an increase will be necessary.
Sergt. W. A. Smith. of No. 8 truck.
secretary of the Firemen's Associa-
ton, is sure that when Commissioner
Bnownlow gives the men q hearing
they will be able to convince him
that additional men will not be need
ed and that the efficiency OF the de-
partment will be as great under the
proposed new system as under the
present one,
A Battered Helmets Story.
The battered helmet that saved the
life OF Sergeant Smith three years
ago lent interest to the talk OF The
Times representative with him. Ser
geant Smiths company was on a run
to a fire on Pennsylvania svenue. 4
taxicab struck the truck and turned
It over into the Avenue. Half a
dozen fremen shot like lightning to
the asphalt pavement None was
killed, but some were MANNED for
life. Captain Dixon, now OF No. 8
truck. still gamely sticking to his
duties because q fremen's pension
would not support his family. was
one OF these.
Sergeant Smith struck upon his
head and lay there stunned and I'M
conscious. His thick helmet had
three great holes and was battered
out Of shape. The surgeons at the
hospital told him three days later
that It had stood between him and
death. The scars Of the cuts in his
head still tell OF his experience.
He weighed 1875 pounds when this
accident happened. He has lost
weight until today the scales show
135. The doctors tell him that the
shock Of that day affected his nerves