Evening star., 1939-12-10
Saving Of Nearly
Mi||ionUrgedby
C..FireSurvey
Cut in Insurance
Rates Asked Along
With Changes
By DON s. WARREN.

of some $4l 500, as against prospec-
tive costs of about $191 900, were
outlined yesterday by the Commis-
sioners' special Fire Survey Com
iaittee in a formal report proposing
an extensive plan for consolidation
and relocation Of fire stations.
Prominently included in the re-
port, which was prepared at the
direction of Congress, was call for
a reduction in fire insurance pre-
MUM rates in the District, on the
ground that present facilities and
the record of losses justifies fur
ther cut and that the loss trend
has been downward since 1890
The survey board. headed by Capt.
Patrick H. Tansey. Assistant Engi-
neer Commissioner. proposed the
elimination of eight fire stations
and the future construction Of three
new houses. in plans for consolida-
tions and relocations. and held that
. the program could be adopted with
out impairment of fire protection
or efficiency. National fire author
tiles were quoted in support of the
plan.
Central Stations Held Bunched.
The survey body held the District
had too many fire stations in the
downtown high value area and that
these stations are too close to-
gether-in view of use of motorized
equipment
The group, which delved deeply
Into statistics to prove it's points,
found that in Washington fire losses
paid during the five years of 1884
1888 amounted to but 23.1 per cent
of the insurance premiums paid, or
lower than any of the States, and
:. 14.7 lower than the average of all
the States and Hawaii for that
period.
The average rate or premium per
500 of insurance for the same
period for all States and Hawaii
was found to be 10 cents, whereas
in Washington the figure was A
cents. The group added: In spite
of the relatively low fire insurance
rates in Washington, current fire
losses and defense seem to justify a
further reduction in rates"
Favors Staggered Hours.
The group also recommended that
the Commissioners consider drafting
proposed legislation to stagger the
hours of Government employees to
alleviate traffic congestion in the
morning. and evening and thus
facilitate the movement of fire ap-
paratus and other emergency equip
ment during periods of peak traffic
loads. 2l&''...
Most Of the anticipated savings
from adoption of the long range
program would come from prevent
ing the necessity of replacing eight
old fire stations in the near future
and from the proposed sale of prop
critics now housing fire stations
which would be abandoned and from
sale of the site for station at Six
teenth and Webster streets NV,
purchased in 1927. but blocked by
property restrictions.
Members of the board, in addition
to Capt. Tansey. were Fire Chief
Stephen T. Porter; Herbert A.
Friede, superintendent of fire
alarms: and Roland M. Brennan,
formerly special assistant to the
highway director and now District
purchasing officer. The group was
assisted by 10 national authorities
on fire prevention and freight
ing and the recommendations made
were approved by the National
Board of Fire Underwriters and the
National Fire Protection Association
and. in great part, by the National
Mutual Association.
Urges Retirement at GA.
The survey board recommended
flrst that compulsory retirement
age of 64 years be established for
f1remen. 1t proposed that the
present f1reboat be replaced by
modern. fast fireboat of light draft,
powered by internal combustion
engines, which the board held would
be much cheaper in operation and
permit the transfer of 10 firemen
now assigned to the boat. It was
estimated $4,000 a year would be
saved by this means and that this
would cover the cost of new boat
within three years.
Holding that the consolidation, re-
location and elimination of stations
as 1t proposed would involve mo
compromise with public safety" the
survey board recommended the fol-
lowing changes in stations.
l. Transfer No. Engine Company
(1643 K street N.WD to Engine No.
16 and Truck No. 3 1018 Thir-
teenth street NWD and dispose of
Engine House No. l.
2. Transfer No Engine Company
1922 M street NW0 to Truck No. S
(3412 Dent place N.W) and dispose
of Engine House No. S, and take
immediate steps to secure the trans
fer to the District of land owned by
the United States at Wisconsin ave-
nue and Reservoir road NV. for
the future construction Of combi-
nation fire station and police station
house.
Would Cancel NO. lU.
3. Transfer No. 10 Engine Com
pany O341 Maryland avenue N.Eo
to Truck No. 13 G343 Florida avenue
N.E) and dispose Of Engine House
No. 10.
4. Transfer No. II Engine Com
pany (3119 Fourteenth street N.Wo
to Truck No. 6 1338 Park road N.Wo
and dispose of Engine House No. II.
5. Transfer No. 13 Engine Com
pany (943 G street S.W0 to proposed
new combination headhouse on
waterfront for fireboat company and
harbor precinct, when available, and
dispose of Engine House No. 13.
6. Transfer No. IA Engine Com
(See FIRE SURVEY, Page B-3)
Shakespeare to Be Topic
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