Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-15
MYERS URGES CHANGES
FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
Declares He Can Save City $50, 1000
Annually if Granted Proper
Appropriation.
WOULD MoToRIZE SERVICE
Advocates Selling Engine Houses on
Broad and Third Streets and
Erecting New Station-Two .Po-
lice Patrols Are Needed.

Director OF Public Safety Myers last
night told the Finance Committee of
the City Council that if Richmond
would give him the proceeds of bond
issue OF $1iS.000 for the Fire Depart
mcnt he would give bond that he would
save the city S3o,U07 Il year. He en-
pressed the opinion that the saving
would be $4,000 a year. but declared
that lie would not guarantee over $35.-
O0r. He SAID that the department
should be motorized and that the en-
CINE houses on Broad and Third Streets
should be sold and the proceeds used
Tor the erection of fire station on
Marshall Street.
The director spoke for three hours
and was asked many questions relat-
ing TO the departments ana bureaus
under his control. lie declared that the
city was endangered by the existence
OF an antiquatcd lire alarm system,
and pleaded with the committee 10
recommend an appropriation OF $4,000
Tor new tire alarm equipment.
For Gods sake, gentlemen. do not
cut out th:s item" he said
TWO NEW PATROLS
NEEDED BY POLICE
Colonel Myers further told the COM
mlttec that II WAS necessary for the
police to have TWO new patrol wagons.
one OF the present ones being out OF
commission entirely and the other be-
ing old and run AT Il great expense.
In regard TO this he said:
can haul prisoners i'll hired autos
ana furnish them with decent cigars
at less cost than | can haul them with
the present patrol wagons
The director said that the entire
North Side was practically without no
lice protection as criminals could hear
the IootDcats Of the horse ridden 10y
the mounted patrolman and would hide
until he was miles away. lie said that
he intended 10 remedy this condition
by the use of motorcycle policemen
and police scntinels that could easily
be reached by telephone. For this
cycles.
Changes in the Police Department
were explained by the speaker who said
that he had provided for tho creation
OF six leu,enancics. one of the men
promoted to this grade was TO have
charge of the traffic squad. another
the other four would be distribute ~ over
me city TO m2hs Inspections a@ see
that the patroimcn were Keeping up
gate. as reductions had been made and
officers who were doing clerical work
were being put out on street duty.
Policemen were TO he paid S127.75 a
month.
POLICE PAYROLL. ron
NENT YEAR INCREASED
The budget as presented last night
shows an increase OF $322i in the pay
ron Of the Police Department.
Director Myers discussed the needs
oil other divisions under his control
lie declared that the chief OF the Blu
reau Of Weights and Measures had been
receiving SoJ.Ju Il month from the cit
and about $500 year from fees
lic had dcciued TO pace this Officials
/ az; a STRICT salary basis OF $2.l0U i
MS actlon, ne said. met win me ap-
pruval Of the chief.
IN regard TO the Building 1nspcc-
tors l'urchu, Colonel Myers stated that
ne expected to recommend legislation
NAT Wonl" probably make this bureau
revenue producer, or at least self
supporting. He expressed the belief
that the Bureau OF Weights and Meas
sures would soon be selfsupporting
DAY night, nj o'clock. when Director
OF Public Utilities 1rafford will be
heard.