Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-31
GEORGE S WATSON
|S;MADE FIRE CHIEF
Successor to Frank J. Wag-
nef Takes Oath of
Office.

Retirement of Fire Chief Frank J..
Wagner after forty-one years of
service and the appointment of Fire
Marshal George S. watson to succeed
him was announced by sthe Commits
sioners last night.
The oath of office wassadministered
to the new chief today by Daniel E.
Garges, secretary to the board Of
Commissioners. in the presence of En-
gineer Commissioner Charles w. KutZ.
The veteran retiring officer also was
present.
+ Commissioner Browniow, who has
supervision over the fire department,
was not at tho District building to-
day and members OF tho fire. depart
ment were in tho dark al to who
would be named fire marshal to sue
coed watson. The selection of a fire
marshal will create other vacancies
down the line.
{ Chief waxner.s retirement was not
unexpected, since IL has been his de-
sire for more than a year to leave
active service. dispersion will be 81. 900
/ Surprise in Selection.
Selection of the fire marshal to fill
the vacancy was somewhat of a. sur
officers Of the department who were
in line for promotion.
Chief Watson is forty-four years
old and was born in Cairo, Ill. He
was brought to Washington by his
parents when a small boy and received
his education in local schools.
He entered the District service in
1891 as secretary to the health officer,
where he remained until 1906. In that
year he was appointed chief clerk Of
the fire department. which position
he held until 1918. when he was named
fire marshal. His appointment as fire
marshal followed the promotion of
Fire Marshal P. w. Nicholson to dep
uty chief.
Deputy Chief Andrew J. Sullivan and
Deputy Chief Nicholson were next in
line to Chief Wagner.
Entered Service In 1879.
Chief Wagner entered the fire de-
partment April 1. 1879, and advanced
rapidly in the ranks. He was pro-
NOTED in 1906 from captain to deputy
chief. Two years later he became
head of the department upon the
death of Chief William Belt.
Chief Wagner is .low seventy-seven
years of age and has wanted to retire
for fully two years. During the war
he asked Commissioner Brownlow to
release him from active. service, but
the Commissioner asked him to re-
main because Of the vast amount OF
government property and buildings
which had to be protected from fire
during the war period.
Chief Wagner said today he felt it
his duty to remain then. but feels now
that the emergency has passed. About
year ago the chief was badly in
jured by fall at one of the engine
houses. and while he has fully recoy-
cred from the effects Of the accident,
he feels that he should now relinquish
the responsibility attached to the Of
flee of fire chief.
II hate to get out of the harness.
said the veteran fire fighter. as he
spent his last day at headquarters.
Letter q Tribute to Services.
Chief Wagner wrote to Commits
asking to be retired. and in reply
the Commissioner paid high tribute
to the services the retiring officer
has rendered the city. The Commits
sioner's letter follows:
May L take this opportunity to
thank you for the splendid work you
have done for the people of Washing
ton during the many years of your
service as a member of the fire de.
partment, and especially as its chief
During the whole Of my term of office
and your. administration and I am
sure that all the people of the city
| will share my regret that you are
leaving the active service.
| wishing for you many years O,
peace and comfort, believe me to be
louis BRowNLow."