The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-15
MYERS APPEARS
BEFORE COMMITTEE
Financial Branch OF city Government
Hears Report Of Director Of
Public Safety.
NEED FIRE FoUIpME N IT
Richmond I1ame Fighters Should Be
z r.'"inpe.i With J9spS. TrncSs in
order 10 t.xpcdftet HSSfva. VA.
FHrcs--ssshaI Connections Intoi-
cradle.

Colonel William II. Myers, director
of public safety, appeared before the
meeting of the finance committee in
the council chamber at the City Hall
and carefully went over the figures OF
the estimated expenses for his de-
partment for the coming year. The
report shows that Colonel Myers esti-
mates for 1919 are slightly in excess
Of the money appropriated for the de-
partments OF the city during 1918.
This. however, Is accounted for by
the fact that during the year salaries
OF, employees Of the city we're increased
twice, 1t was pointed out by the d.
rector that a majority of the employees
OF the city are in departments under
him
Appearing before the committee last
night, Director Myers advocated that
the committee allow him the sum OF
s14S,o00 from the bond issue SIS a
working basis for his budget and that
by SO doing they might subtract from
his budget each year the sum OF $685.
900 until the bond issue money Is re-
placed
| That 1t Is imperative that there be
several changes in the fire department
OF the city was the opinion OF Colonel
Myers. This city should have a mo-
tcrized fire department % take the
place Of the present department of
motor and horse-drawn vehicles. by
doing this, tho director pointed ont.
the work OF the department would
be speeded IN ard. while the cxpendi-
sture at first might seem large, In the
Tong run II would save a considerable
sum OF money
| The dilar dated condition OF the FIRE
alarm signal system WAS laid with
en phasis before the committee. d.
rector Myers showed that at no time
was the entire equipment in the sig
nal service office new. Some Of it
was bought second hand, while now
apparatua was purchased at various
times The present system of wires
connecting fire headquarters with
engine houses WAS characterized as
being In poor condition and the City
Hall. II was declared. Ia In constant
danger OF fire as IA result of the di-
iapidated condition OF the wiring.
In laying before the committee his
plans for the coming year and the
manner in which nc expected to CON
duct tho departments under him.
Colonel Myers stated that the fire
situation was one that had caused
him great worry and demanded i'm
mediate attention. The new official
intends TO have every residence In the
city insaected during the year by
members OF the lire department. and
steps TO prevent fires will be taken
The condition of present means
OF transporting prisoners from Sec
tons of the city In which they are
arr ested was said TO be intolerable.
Colonel Myers pointed out that the
need for two new wagons was urgent
and that those being used now were
costing the city yearly more money
than new ones would cost, In reach
ing this point In tho budget Director
Myers said: II could hire trucks for
tho purpose OF transporting prisoners
and give each ten-cent cigar cheap
er than I can use the present patrol
wagons"
Director OF Public Utilities Traftord
was present at the meeting last night
and was to have been gir9n IAN oppor-
tunity to present his itldGet to the
committee. but this matyoY was de-
ferred until the next meeting OF the
finance committee.