Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17
CITIZENS CONDEMN
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Handling of DuIin & Martin
Blaze Is Particularly
Attacked.

The District Fire Department came
In for an evening of attack from the
Federation of Citizens Associations at
that bodys meeting In the District
Building last night. In particular the
handling of the recent Dulin a. Martin
Building fire came in for criticism, the
complaint being made that the alarms
after the fourth were unnecessary, and
that the concentration Of fire appara-
tus downtown left the outlying sections
inadequately protected against possible
outbreaks. The federation's action came
as surprise, as only at the last meet
ing, February 2, it had adopted a reso-
luton commencing the department for
its good work at the fire.
The attack conferred around demand
by the Congress Heights Citizens
Association for an investigation of the
handling Of the fire, particularly with
reference to the need for sending out
the sixth, or general alarm and asking
for help from fire departments in sur
rounding communities. The federation's
committee on police and fire protection
reported that by the time the engines
from Baltimore arrived, Washington
companies had already returned to-
quarters, and made six recommendations
for change In procedure In the future.
The one on which most of the debate
turned would compel the chief engineer
of the department to consult with a
deputy chief before sending out any
alarms after the fourth.
Is Stricken Out.
On motion of Harry N. Stull, Stanton
Park, this was finally stricken out, the
IN nf hn IN ri
being 81 to IS. During the debate, N.
F. Janney, who reported as chairman
OF the committee, said that 1t was
well known fact" that George S. Wat
son, chief engineer of the department
had written his resignation out several
months ago and submitted it to the
Commissioners. and that they we're only
waiting for the bill to increase the
salaries of firemen to become q law to
take it out Of its pigeonhole and act
on it." When this statement was later
brought to- Commissioner Dougherty's
attention 1t was fiately denied.
Not only did the department itself
come in for criticism, but the Com
missioners we're said TO have arranged
specifications for fire apparatus so
that certain concerns were prevented
from bidding on them, and thus the
quality of apparatus in service was
below what it should be. This was
denied by J. Louis Goldman. Congress
Heights, but A. II. Gregory Stanton
Park. insisted that he knew this was
a fact.
Purchases Recommended.
The report of the committee, as finally
adopted, recommended purchase OF
eight hose wagons, eight bumpers. three
aerial trucks with 85-foot extensions
for use as reserve; more frequent IN
other large buildings; change in the
building regulations to compel dumb
waiter and elevator shafts in buildings
extending to the roof to be carried
through the roof and covered with
glass: equipment of each company with
gas masks and filling the compliments
Of each truck companies Nos. 8 and IL,
by assigning to them captains now as
signed to headquarters
The federation overwhelmingly voted
support to William NICK. Clayton, the
veteran chairman of its public utilities
committee. in seven amendments he
sought to have Endorsed for addition to
the bill to merge the street railway COM
panies now before Congress. Mr. Clay
ton brought in a report adopted by the
committee urging amendments to the
bill, and when James G. Yaden of Pet
worth tried to add rider to the reso-
luton approving the merger bill even
II Congress decides to refuse the amend
ments asked, Clayton offered to resign
as chairman rather than change
syllable of his report.
Amendments Provided.
The amendments suggested called for |
universal free transfers, inclusion of the |
Washington Rapid Transit Co. in the |
new Capital Transit Co: half fares for
school children on their way to and |
from public schools. incorporation of |
the merged company under a Federal |!
charter rather than under the District |
code, and certain changes In the financ-
ing Of the new company.
Charles I. Stengle, Petworth, asked |
Mr. Clayton If Congress were unwilling |
to accept any of the amendments to |
the bill whether he would be for or |
against the merger. MFR. Clayton re-
fused to answer.
Fl. w. Lynn then moved to lay the
committee report on the table. This
was beaten and the report was adopted |
by acclaim.
The federation voted $40 for the en-.
penses of the civic celebration Of |
George Washington's birthday. approved |
the Simmons bill to authorize expendi-
ture Of $10000000 for school sites and |
buildings In. preference to the FIVE
year building program bill and the prop |
osition to zone a 100-foot strip each |
side of Massachusetts avenue from |
Nebraska to Western avenues resi-
Dental A. restricted, and disapproved |
clause in the appropriation bill |
limiting the eligible list for teaching
positions to the top IS per cent of the |
graduates Of local normal schools.
B. A. Bowles, vice president, presided |
in the absence of DR.. George c. Ha-
yenner. The following members of the |
federation's new executive committee |
were declared elected; Thomas e. Lodge, |
william NICK. Clayton, Allan Davis,
Thomas j. Llewellyn, Capt. @. L. |
Shorey, Mrs. May .. Lightfoot, N. r.
Jenney, J. Louis Goldman, Clayton Emig |
and Hugh M. Frampton. |
Eranv.~n. nAn~ EvUInSns