Evening star., 1940-08-14
New Firehouse,
Fireboat Asked
In Estimates
More Men Sought;
Refuse Department
Figure Is Higher

A new nrenOuSe, a $40 UOO new nre-
boat and creation of a new truck
company are asked in the 1912
Fire Department budget totaling ST.
693,155 submitted today to the Dis
trict Commissioners. The amount
Is 1892, $50 over the present appro-
prlations.
Thirty-eight new men are sought,
some to man the new truck COM
pany and Is others to replace Is
vacancies the department was COM
PEELED to allow to accumulate under
provision in the 1910 appropria-
ton bill approved by Congress.
The additional manpower would
bring the department strength up
to 9l0.
Meanwhile. the Refuse Depart
ment yesterday submitted estimates
totaling S2,148,720 calling for new
1885 900 incinerator plant to be built
on District owned land either in the
vicinity of Fort Totten Park or in
the vicinity of the New York avenue
railroad yards. The plant would sup
plement the present two plants and
would have 255-ton capacity.
81 More Men Sought.
In apparent response to an or
ganized campaign for cleaner streets.
the department is seeking 81 new
men and creation of five mobile
cleaning units. Replacement of some
obsolescent trucks is also contem-
plated which it is hoped to complete
in five years. The increase over the
present appropriation is S646,540.
The new frehouse asked by the
local fire fighters is part Of the gen.
eral consolidation program recon-
mended to Congress last December
by the Commissioners on the basis
of a special survey by special COM
mittee headed by Capt. Patrick H.
Tansey, former Assistant Engineer
Commissioner. The station would be
located at North Capitol and Crit
tenden streets on District owned
land and when complete is to result
in the elimination of the present No.
IA Engine House at Alb Eighth street
NV Estimated cost of the new
station is $98.000.
The new fireboat was also recon-
mended by the Fire Survey Board
to replace the obsolete vessel now in
use. 1t was estimated a new boat
would save $4,000 a year in operat-
ing expenses. The boat sought is
steel constructed triple screw gaso-
line propelled boat and would be
fast and of light draft.
A captain, lieutenant, sergeant
and Is privates to constitute, with
some equipment now held in reserve,
a new No Is truck company are
asked by the fire chiefs. The new
unit would be placed in service in
No 10 Engine House at Twenty
eighth place and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. Sc.
1t would serve the territories of
Bradbury Heights, Hillcrest, Sum-
nit Park, Randle Highlands, East
Washington Park, BenningS and the
adjacent property on Good Hope
road, including the German Orphan
Asylum.
Five of the new positions would
replace men to be detailed to fire
prevention inspection deemed nee
essary because of the large increase
In building construction, particularly
of flats and apartment houses.
Reducing the force by Is as pro-
vided in the 1910 act at the instance
of Representative Collins, Demo-
crat, of Mississippi, then subcommit-
tee chairman handling the District
budget has greatly curtailed the
granting of annual leave and has
caused the department to operate at
absolute minimum strength, officials
said in asking that the vacancies be
filled.
Emergency Refuse Crew.
Plans of the Refuse Department
as revealed in the estimates look to
the formation of small mobile unit
that can reach scattered points
which require more frequent clean
ing than the surrounding neighbor-
hoods and now cannot be given such
attention. This unit probably would
be equipped with five three-Wheel
motorcycles and will work principal
ly during the times when the regu-
lar cleaning forces are not available.
In this way. it was pointed out, the
unit will act as an emergency crew.
The new unit would also be called
on to assist in the preventive work
necessary Ito correct the careless
ness of such offenders of anti-litter
regulations as newsboys, truckers,
delivery services, etc
While 81 new men are sought also
in the street cleaning section of the
Refuse Department, additional funds
are also asked to put the per diem
workers on a 40-hour work week in
stead of the Sc hours which is all
present funds will permit. Money
is also asked to take care of the ad
ditional street mileage-estimated at
3 per cent.
Existing incinerators are incapable
of handling the present volume of
trash. it was stated in asking for
the new plant. Not only is the city
growing with consequent increase
in trash but also there has been a
,-l. 1f orlt