2d Session No. 596 REVETMENT WALL AT FORT MOULTRIE, S. C. FEBRUARY 3, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. MCSWAIN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 9154] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 9154) to provide for the construction of a revetment wall at Fort Moultrie, S. C., introduced by Mr. McMillan, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment: Line 5, strike out the word "five" and insert in lieu thereof "four". Fort Moultrie is a Regular Army post situated on Sullivans Island, 6 miles from Charleston, S. C. The purpose of this legislation is explained in the letter from the War Department. Your committee feel that the importance of preventing further erosion at that point calls for early enactment of the legislation. The letter from the Secretary of War is as follows: Hon. W. FRANK JAMES, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives. JANUARY 29, 1930. DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 9154) to provide for construction of a revetment wall at Fort Moultrie, S. C., in accordance with telephone request of January 27, 1930, for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. There are no applicable provisions of existing law on this subject. The present wooden bulkhead extending along the north shore of Sullivans Island from the western edge of Fort Moultrie reservation eastward for a distance of about 2,859 feet, was built some time between 1900 and 1906. The bulkhead has all rotted away and the wash from vessels passing up and down the channel, together with spring and storm tides, has washed out considerable ground just inside the position of the old bulkhead. This is a continuing process and the island upon which Fort Moultrie is situated is gradually washing away into the bay. HR-71-2-VOL 2—13 As the result of a recent study of this situation, it develops that the most inexpensive method to stop the erosion would be to construct a riprap revetment near the high-water line along 2,400 feet of the shore line, at an estimated cost of $25,000. It is believed that this method will prove satisfactory and economical both in first cost and maintenance. The War Department favors the passage of the bill provided it is amended so as to authorize the construction of a stone revetment 2,400 feet long. Sincerely yours, SALARIES OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FEBRUARY 4, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. LAMPERT, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 5713] The Committee on the District of Columbia, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 5713) to fix the salaries of officers and members of the Metropolitan police force and the fire department of the District of Columbia, report same back to the House without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. Your committee reports that the bill was thoroughly considered by its subcommittee on police and firemen and a public hearing held giving all those interested full opportunity to express their views for or against the provisions of the measure, or any part thereof. Citizens representing the following organizations were present and spoke in behalf of the bill: Washington Chamber of Commerce, Washington Board of Trade, Merchants and Manufacturers' Association, Central Labor Union of the District of Columbia, Citizens' Advisory Council, Federation of Citizens' Associations, City Firefighters' Association, Policemen's Association, and many other citizens' associations of the District, as well as the International Association of Firefighters, representing the United States and Canada, and the American Federation of Labor. While the subcommittee held two sessions, not a citizen or taxpayer appeared in opposition to the bill, or any part of the bill, and the subcommittee thereupon unanimously favorably reported the measure to the full committee, and the full committee gave the bill unanimous approval. A brief summary of the duties and responsibilities of each of the positions for which increases are proposed in the bill, for both departments, follows: CHIEF ENGINEER The chief engineer exercises immediate command over a personnel numbering 879 and must take appropriate action to keep the department at the highest peak of efficiency. The department owns property of an approximate value of $2,500,000 and expends over $2,000,000 annually in its maintenance. For this property and the expenditure of these funds the chief engineer is responsible. This involves administrative ability of a high order. With regard to the actual fire-fighting work of the department, the chief engineer takes physical charge of the department at all large fires, and is also responsible for seeing that the personnel, equipment, and methods are efficient and up to date. He is required to be available for call both night and day. The work of fire prevention, carried on directly by the division which specializes therein, is supervised by the chief engineer. The extent of its activities and the proper application of law and regulation in connection therewith are controlled and directed by him. The division of apparatus repair and mechanical maintenance involves specialized work, including mechanical and hydraulic engineering problems. This work, under the direct supervision of a highly trained engineer, is supervised by the chief engineer. The chief engineer must set the appropriate training standards for the department's personnel and see that these standards are maintained in its daily work. The work of this official, and his consequent responsibilities, are much greater than in most municipalities, due to the fact that in the latter, either a board of fire commissioners, a single fire commissioner, or a director of public safety has charge of the administrative duties, leaving the chief of the department in a measure free for fire-fighting work. In the District of Columbia all of these duties are centered in the one individual, as the Board of Commissioners does not handle the multitude of administrative business and personnel problems which arise. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 18 now pay the chief of the fire department more than is paid that officer in the District of Columbia, namely, $5,200 per annum. A list of the 18 cities follows with the respective salaries paid: The deputy chief engineers serve as the principal firefighting assistants to the chief engineer and are responsible to him for their work. They also act for the chief engineer in his absence. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 20 pay the deputy chiefs greater salaries than is paid in the District of Columbia, namely, $3,500 per annum. BATTALION CHIEF ENGINEERS The District of Columbia is divided geographically into six areas, known as battalion districts. Each of these areas is commanded by two battalion chief engineers, who alternate in day and night duty. They supervise the administrative work of the fire companies within their districts and also take physical charge of the units which respond to alarms of fire therein. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 13 pay their battalion chief engineers salaries greater than the rate now paid in the District of Columbia, namely, $3,250 per annum. SUPERINTENDENT OF MACHINERY Particular attention is invited to the duties and responsibilities of this official. In the past few years there have been great increases in the efficiency of the mechanical equipment used by fire departments, and together with these developments, problems have arisen with which the departments of former years did not have to cope. This applies not only to the evolution of apparatus from the horsedrawn type to the present highly complicated gasoline equipment, but also other mechanical appliances which have been added to the equipment, such as gas masks, oxygen breathing apparatus, and the resusitation devices which have played so great a part in the first-aid work fire departments are now performing so extensively. The responsibility for keeping this equipment in proper condition and ready for use in any emergency and for the preparation of highly technical specifications for such purchases, devolves upon the superintendent of machinery. His work involves the necessity for high attainments in hydraulic and mechanical engineering, and also great executive ability. The statement has been made to the committee, and seems to be well founded, that no matter how efficient the personnel of the department may be, if its mechanical equipment fails, it can not function properly. From data before the committee it is shown that the city of Chicago pays the superintendent of machinery the same rate of pay as the deputy chief; Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Newark pay the superintendent of machinery more than the deputy chief; and that Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Boston, Philadelphia, and Cleveland pay this official more than their battalion chiefs. FIRE MARSHAL The committee feels that one of the most important divisions of fire department endeavor is that of prevention of fire and control of fire hazards. It is felt that the fire marshal must be alert and progressive, and, with regard to educational qualifications, must possess attainments of a high degree and diversified character. This officer must possess the ability not only to meet existing hazards, but to |