Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-07-12
D.C.F|RE LOSSC|TED
TO SHOW NECESSITY
FOR HIGH PRESSURE
$2,074, 096 of Past Year
Nearly Doubles Figures of
Preceding Period.
BUSINESS MEN LAUD
STARS FIGHT FOR PLAN
Water Department to Ask for Pre-
liminary Funds to Start Laying
of Mains for System.

Washington's fire loss for the fiscal
year Just ended went up nearly
100000, 1T was learned today. and
this is stressed as one of the most
conclusive arguments in favor of
high pressure water system for fire
fighting in the business area by It's
advocates.
The fire loss for the past twelve
months amounted to $2,074,096, the
fire marshars records show. Com
pared with s1,179,903 for the previous
year, this is an increase of $s94,293.
Although the total loss did not oc-
cur in the business district that would
be covered by high-pressure water
hydrants. 1t was pointed out the en-
tire city would be afforded better
protection if these mains are in
stalled. The territory outside the
high-pressure section would be bene
flied. as the pumping fire engines
now assigned downtown could be as
signed to outlying neighborhoods
Will Ask for Funds.
The proponents of the high pressure
system won their initial victory to-
day. The water department. it was
learned, will include in its budget for
the next fiscal year an appropriation
sufficient to start the installation of
high pressure mains. but the Com
! missioners, who pass on these esti-
mates, have not yet declared their in
| tentions.
Gratif1ed over The decision of the
water department. the trades bodies
and other organizations in the fight
are planning to again impress on the
| Commissioners the urgency of the
high-pressure system as protective
| need for the city. If they can sue
| coed in having the Commissioners re-
tain the item in the District bddget
| a concerted drive will be made on
Congress to have it approved.
Board lis to Take Up Issue.
President Anton Stephan of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
| citation has called meeting of the
board of governors for Wednesday
morning at IL o'clock, at wlich the
high pressure water system rill be
among the subjects discussed.
The problems which the boird OF
governors of the association Will be
! called on to consider at next We'd
nesday's meeting will concern not
| only our immediate welfare but that
| of the future" said Gen. Stephan.
The Merchants and Manufacturers
Association. In common with the civic
elements of our citizenship: have from
| time to time been appealing for the
| installation of high pressure service
! in the downtown section.
| Praises Fire Department.
! II am convinced that the move
| largely because I believe that the
! entire community is of one mind that
| there shall be no further delay in
| remedying the jeopardy that exists
to life and property through mad
| eQuate f1re-fghting facilities.
i Il have the greatest admiration for
/ the high type of efficiency that has
| for years been exercised by the per-
| sonnet of the Washington fire depart
ment, but even though we had the
very finest of apparatus if the all
essential water is not available in
| quantities, and with Il force that
would carry IL to the high buildings
\ and distances that are necessary they
are of themselves futile in anything
| but purely local fire.
Looks to Future.
| Speaking as one of the members
! of the board of governors, I believe
| that Washington should approach
| this matter in a broad spirit, realiz-
| ing that the community is not only
! expanding in territory, but that the
| downtown business section has been
! builded upon to an extent that to-
! day exceeds even our ambitions of
earlier years. and with nothing to
mar Washington's fortune-ideally
situated as is the community-it is
the most practical consideration pos
sible that we should at once antici-
pate our future needs az well as care
for the possible dilemma of today
THE federal government has a very
great deal at stake and the admins
traitors of federal affairs should be
quick to realize it.
Points to Losses.
practical business men realize only
too well the disaster that lies in fire
| They all cover themselves with in
surance of every conceivable char
acter, but experience has proven that
even 100 per cent insurance does not
and cannot compensate for the loss
that ensues to any business that is
visited by a fire. Our hope is ever
and always that the fire-fighting
forces be backed up. as they must be-
by an adequate supply of water. This
is of primary consideration, in order
to minimize fire hazards to the small
est extent possible.
first consideration is human life.
! There should be no picayunish policy
! permitted that would ever be the
means of sacrificing a human life"
Praise for The STAR
| Officials of the trade organizations
| were loud in their praises today for
! the support of The Star in the move
ment to secure high-pressure water
service. At the Board of Trade il
was pointed out that The Star has
stood by the organization in its fight
| of more than twenty years for high
| pressure hydrants, from the humani-
| tartan standpoint and the saving of
lives and property.
David NJ. Lea, president of the Tn
| derwriters Association of the District
| and chairman Of the insurance oorn-
| mittee of the Board of Trade. who is
/ leading the fight for hleh-pressure
service for the body. said that The
Star has rendered "a magnificent
! service" In the present movement. as
well as those of past years.
Stephan Pays Tribute.
/ CONGRATULATIONS are in order to
/ The Star for the vigorous manner in
/ which 1T is carrying forward the fight
for high pressure water service in the
downtown section" said President
Stephan of the Merchants and Manu-
| facturers Associa ton.
| I'm making this observation / not
only have in mind the present-day
| activities, but those for many years