Evening star., 1939-12-10

truck houses S. 6. 7. 10 and 13, s12,-
200; fire alarm alterations at engine
companies /, S, 10 and IL. $11 1,650:
new running books" to show the
changes in stations which would an
swer specific fire alarms. $2.500; for
construction of a three-lane engine
house on property owned by the
District at Hawaii avenue and Al
lison street, including fire alarm
installation, $4,000, and purchase
of the proposed new fireboat. $75,-
000-making total of $191.350.
The idea for the survey generally
is attributed to Representative Ross
Collins, Democrat, of Mississippi,
former chairman of the District
Subcommittee of the House Appro-
priations Committee, who protest
ed that Washington's fire stations
were erected in keeping with horse
drawn equipment, whereas modern
apparatus is much faster. The sur
vey plan was adopted about the
time Congress was acting on de-
mands for legislation for a shorter
work week for District firemen.
Findings on Wages and Hours.
The Survey Board made the fol-
lowing findings on questions as to
hours wages and other conditions:
That Washington has greater
number of firemen per 1000 popu-
lation than the average of eight Sc
Iected cities, four of which are larger
and four smaller than Washington;
that Washington has fewer firemen
per square mile than the average for
these cities: that Washington op-
Grating costs per square mile for fire
protection were less than the average
of these cities; and that Washing
tons per capita costs of operation
and maintenance were % per cent
higher than the average of the eight
cities for the flve-year period 1892
1896. However, the board added
there has been a reduction in WASH
ington's per capita cost from $4.51
in 1886 to $3.71 in 1899.
The board also found that Wash
ington firemen receive pay higher
than the average: Privates of the
first grade in Washington receive
approximately II per cent above the
average; privates of the second
grade about per cent more; and
privates of the third grade some
per cent above the average.
Working Hours 3,4A.
1t also found that Washington
firemen's working hours per year,
excluding sick leave, amount to
3,444 or 1872 per cent of the average
of Abs; that Washington firemen's
working hours per year, after apply
ing a sick-leave allowance up to Is
days per year to all cities. amount
to 1924. or 819 per cent of the aver
age of 1882; that the average rate
of pay per working hour for Wash
ington f1remen is 696 cents, or 1873
per cent of the average rate of 522
cents (excluding sick-leave allow
ances); that the Washington fire.
mems work week consists of 10-hour
day shifts, 14-hour night shifts, g.
day Of 72-hour week, whereas the |
great majority of cities work fire.
men an 84-hour week.
The eight cities with which WASH
ington was compared in such con-
nections were Pittsburgh, San Fran
cisco, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Minne-
apolis, New Orleans, Cincinnati and
Newark. In response to the con-
gressional call for the survey, the
Commissioners had asked the survey
group to make a report on wages,
hours and similar features, as well
as on physical plant conditions. On
the wage and hour questions, the
group merely reported its findings Of
facts, without recommendations, ex-
cept to state that some savings IN
personnel are possible"
Provision Of quad service for
the area east of the Anacostia River |
will be needed In the near future,
the board held. Quad" service is
the Use of apparatus combining IN
one unit ladder. hose and water
pumping equipment.