USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume I > Part 27
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The fire which levelled the large wooden building rivalled in in- terest the spectacular scenes which had attended the destruction of the Grand Central thirteen years before. The structure burned from the top downward and because of the stillness of the evening made "one of the prettiest sights ever witnessed in the city," according to onlookers. The insurance on the building was only $25,000.
In the year 1889 the Oakland High School building was twice burned by fires of mysterious origin. The first fire occurred April 6th and the second November 6th of that year. The blaze in each case
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started a little before eight o'clock in the evening and for this and other reasons incendiarism was suspected. The building was a fine- looking, three-story frame building, which stood at the corner of Twelfth and Market streets. The loss was fairly well covered by in- surance, the policies on the property amounting to $23,250.
One of the most persistent and valiant fights against the flames ever waged by the Oakland Fire Department was during the destruc- tion of St. Mary's College, on Broadway, on Sunday evening, Septem- ber 23, 1894. From about 5:45 o'clock in the afternoon until 9 that night the fire laddies labored to save the building and to prevent the spread of the blaze to adjacent structures. When discovered, however, the fire had already gotten a good hold. The upper stories of the building were destroyed, with a loss estimated at $100,000. When first observed, the flames were shooting up through a waste shaft and threat- ening the upper floors, but it was supposed that the fire had originated in some rubbish at the bottom of the shaft.
There were a hundred students or more in the building at the time, most of whom were sent to their homes in San Francisco and other towns. After the fire the building remained as the flames had left it for several months, and then it was rebuilt and reoccupied by the Christian Brothers who had erected it in 1888.
THE DEPARTMENT IN 1879
The condition of the Oakland Fire Department in 1879 is sug- gested by Mayor Andrus in his message to the council of February 3rd of that year.
"The chief engineer of the Fire Department has already submitted to you his annual report, which is a very complete and exhaustive docu- ment," the mayor pointed out. "He recommends the placing of hy- drants in certain localities. It is the result of my observation that it is cheaper to erect hydrants near together than to buy hose; and that these sources of water for our engines should be so near to each other that in any possible case one reel of hose would be sufficient to reach the fire. In neighborhoods remote from engine-houses, it would be pos- sible to extinguish incipient fires before the arrival of engines. Prop- erty-owners might procure hose of their own, to be used in such emer- gencies.
"The old Hook and Ladder apparatus in East Oakland would be of great use if a horse were purchased and a driver hired. The ex- pense would not be much, and in a few minutes it might save thousands
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of dollars worth of property. East Oakland covers a large area; it has but one fire-engine, and it seems to me that it should have better means for extinguishing conflagrations.
"The house of Phoenix Engine Company, No. 1, is not fit for the purpose for which it is used, and, instead of being located on a side- street, should be on some one of our prominent thoroughfares, and I would suggest San Pablo Avenue. A commodious structure should be erected so that ordinarily decent quarters may be provided, not only for the firemen, but for the horses. This improvement ought to be made at once. In this connection, I desire to make a suggestion in reference to salaries paid to firemen. By comparison I find they are 40 per cent lower in Oakland than in other cities on the Pacific Coast. In Oakland the engineers receive $60 per month; in San Francisco, $140; Sacramento and Virginia City, $100; and the same disparity exists as to the other employes. I think that the pay of our firemen is too small. They have to be ready for duty at all times, and I do not think that the compensation is fair. I would suggest a remodeling of the schedule of salaries so that the men may be paid what their services are reasonably worth."
Mayor Andrus also commented upon the completeness of the fire alarm apparatus recently installed in the City Fire Department, which he considered "probably more complete than in any other city in the United States." "This is a very broad statement," he admitted, "but it is fully justified by the municipal reports that come in from all quar- ters. The automatic system is most complete, and the planning and operation of the fire-alarm telegraph reflects great credit upon Mr. Carleton, the superintendent. It has been erected at a cost that seems nominal when compared with what is expended for similar purposes elsewhere. The efficiency of the Fire Department is largely due to the promptness with which alarms are given."
In 1883 the Oakland Fire Department was officered by a chief en- gineer, two assistant engineers, and a superintendent of fire alarm and police telegraph. The salary of the latter officer had been fixed by muni- cipal ordinance of August 17, 1887, at $150 per month. On February 8, 1888, the council passed an ordinance making the second assistant engineer ex-officio fire-warden and prescribing his duties. The entire personnel of the department included fifty-eight officers and men. The mechanical equipment consisted of four steamers, five two-wheel hose carts, carrying 3,700 feet of hose, and two hook and ladder trucks. Throughout the fire limits were 160 hydrants, five cisterns, and forty-
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six fire-alarm stations. Water for the use of the department was sup- plied by the works of the Contra Costa Water Company.
An ordinance of October 23, 1889, fixed the salary of the first assistant engineer at $125 per month; and that of the second assistant, $100 per month. On June 14, 1890, the salaries of drivers, stokers, tillermen and stewards of the fire department were set at $75 monthly. In March, 1891, the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners were au- thorized to appoint four extra men and one foreman for Truck Com- pany No. 2, and one driver for a hose company to be designated and known as Hose Company No. 2, both companies being stationed at 1235 East Fourteenth Street; and two men for the chemical company to be stationed at North Oakland and two men for the chemical engine com- pany to be stationed at East Oakland. The salary fixed for the driver of the Hose Company No. 2 was $75, and that of the men for the chem- ical engine companies at the same amount. In June, 1892, an ordinance was passed fixing the salaries of the "extramen" at $20 a month. On July 1, 1894, another ordinance was passed providing for the appoint- ment of one driver, one tillerman, one foreman, and seven extramen for Truck Company No. 3, to be stationed at West Oakland; and one en- gineer, one driver, one stoker, one foreman, and five extramen for Engine Company No. 6, to be situated at East Oakland; and one driver, one foreman and four extramen for Hose Company No. 3, to be situated at Seventh and Magnolia streets in the Fourth Ward. On the same day another ordinance provided for the appointment of a steward for Hose Company No. 3, at $75 per month.
The provision of the new city charter adopted by Oakland on No- vember 6, 1888, and approved by the State Legislature on February 2nd of the following year for the administration of both police and fire department by a board of three commissioners has already been men- tioned in the history of the Oakland Police Department. The new char- ter further provided that the Fire Department should consist of a chief engineer and as many drivers, hosemen, and other employes as nec- essary, not exceeding a total of seventy men. The City Council was given power to increase this number by ordinance, if need arose.
FIRE LIMITS OF 1890
The fire limits of the city of 1890, as described by city ordinance, commenced at the point of intersection of the center line of Webster Street and the center line of Seventh Street, thence westerly to the center of Franklin Street, thence southerly to the center line of Fourth Street,
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thence westerly to the middle of the block between Franklin and Broad- way, thence at a right angle southerly to the center line of First Street; thence westerly to the middle of the block between Broadway and Washington, thence at a right angle northerly to the center line of Fourth Street, thence to the center line of Clay Street, thence northerly to the center line of Seventeenth Street, thence to a point 100 feet east of the easterly line of San Pablo Avenue; thence southerly parallel with San Pablo Avenue to the center of Sixteenth Street, thence east- erly to a point 100 feet west of the westerly line of Telegraph Avenue, thence at a right angle northerly to the center line of Seventeenth Street, thence easterly to a point 100 feet easterly from the east line of Broadway, thence at a right angle southerly to the center line of Four- teenth, thence to the center line of Webster Street, thence southerly to the center line of Seventeenth Street.
In 1883, when M. W. Wood published his "History of Alameda County, California," the department included four steam fire engine companies, two hook and ladder companies, and one hose company. Wood describes these as follows :
"Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1 .- Located on Fifteenth Street, near City Hall; Third Class Amoskeag engine, drawn by two horses; and hose-reel carrying 800 feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver are perma- nently employed. These, together with the engineer, foreman, and five extra men, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire com- pany.
"Steam Fire Engine Company No. 2 .- Located on Sixth Street, near Washington; second class Silsby rotary engine, drawn by two horses ; and hose-reel, carrying 750 feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver are permanently employed. These, together with the engineer, foreman, and five extra men, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the en- tire company.
"Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3 .- Located on Eighth Street, between Campbell and Willow; one second class Rotary engine com- plete, drawn by two horses; and hose-reel, carrying 750 feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver, are permanently employed. These, together with the engineer, foreman, and five extra men, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.
"Steam Fire Engine Company No. 4 .- Located on East Four- teenth Street, near Thirteenth Avenue; second class Amoskeag engine.
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drawn by two horses; and hose-reel, carrying 750 feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose- cart driver, are permanently employed. These, together with the en- gineer, foreman, and five extra men, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.
"Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 .- Located on Sixth Street, be- tween Broadway, and Washington streets; first class Hayes Patent Fire Escape Truck, and the usual equipments attached to truck com- panies. The driver and tillerman are permamently employed. These, together with the foreman and nine extra men, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.
"Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 .- Located on East Fourteenth Street, near Thirteenth Avenue; one hook and ladder truck, drawn by one horse, and the usual equipments attached to truck companies. The driver is permanently employed.
"Hose Company No. 1 .- Located on Sixth Street, between Broad- way and Washington streets. The hose-reel is two-wheeled, drawn by one horse, and carries 650 feet of rubber hose. The driver is perma- nently employed. These, together with the foreman, and five extra men, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company."
THE DEPARTMENT, 1905-1915
Like its fellow arm of the municipal service, the Fire Department made rapid strides toward modernization and greater efficiency during the administration of Mayor Frank K. Mott in the period between 1905 and 1915. Under the direction of the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners during the first decade of the century, and later under the new charter of 1911, steady improvements were made in the or- ganization and equipment of the department. Gradually the horse- drawn apparatus was replaced by modern motor-driven machines. Com- plete motorization of the department was finally effected in 1921, when the last of the horses disappeared during the administration of Chief E. Whitehead and Commissioner Frank F. Jackson. By degrees the "call system" was eliminated, until by 1917 permanently organized en- gine, hose and truck companies, with full crews of men had been es- tablished. On September 1, 1917, the permanent department was es- tablished. Since that date, the fire-fighting force of the city has in- creased materially in equipment, personnel, and efficiency, to keep pace with the needs of a rapidly growing municipality.
From 1905 to 1915 the department was increased from 136 to 303 men, and that ratio of gain was also maintained in apparatus. Addi-
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tional fire hydrants were installed throughout the city until there were hundreds as contrasted with the three famous "cisterns" of the '60s. During this period, also, was installed a high pressure salt water pump- ing system, with its mains and connections laid through the central business district and at points of hazard along the southern water front.
In April, 1905, the department included, besides the chief and his assistant, 136 men, assigned to eight engine companies, three hose com- panies, four truck companies, and three chemical companies. The total expense for the year up to June 30, 1905, was $153,527.81; this in- cluded a new engine house at Golden Gate. During the fiscal year from June, 1907, to June, 1908, the force was increased by a new truck com- pany at Golden Gate and the addition of thirteen men. Three new steam fire engines were bought, a new fire house built, and an automobile purchased. The following year the force was increased by the addi- tion of twenty-nine men, including a second assistant chief; four addi- tional engine companies, including a high pressure plant; the building of two new reinforced concrete buildings, to take the place of the old ones; and three additional new houses.
From June, 1911, to June, 1912, the department gained eighty-four men, three new steam fire engines, three combination hose wagons, three automobiles, two automobile combination hose wagons, one new house at Elmhurst and, a lot of land in Allendale. In 1912-13 the de- partment was augmented by the addition of ten men, one engine com- pany, one new automobile, two automobile pumping engines, and one automobile chemical engine. During the same period, three new engine houses were built. In 1914-15 six men were added to the department, while four engine companies, two hose companies, and one truck com- pany were permanently organized.
In 1915 the department had grown to comprise 303 men, includ- ing one chief, one assistant chief, one second assistant chief, and three battalion chiefs, as well as seventeen engine companies, two of which possessed auto pumps; five truck companies, four hose and chemical companies, equipped with automobile wagons; two automobile combina- tion wagons for high pressure service, and two chemical companies, one of which was a motor chemical; and twenty-two engine houses. At this time the department had nine pieces of fire apparatus and two more contracted for, six automobiles for chiefs, 44,200 feet of hose, and 6,900 feet more ordered. The total cost of maintenance and improve- ments for the fiscal year 1914-15 was $401,351. This included the water rental of hydrants, in itself a large item, and also the extra ex-
WILLIAM J. LUTKEY Chief Engineer of the Oakland Fire De- partment since July 11, 1928
SAM SHORT
Retired Chief Engineer, Oakland Fire De- partment. Honorary member of Uniformed Rank Veteran Firemen's Association of San Francisco. Held office of Chief Engineer from July, 1921, to July 11, 1928
THE HORSE-DRAWN "STEAMER" OF THE OLD DAYS
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pense of giving the men one day off in five. In 1915 there were 1,275 fire hydrants as against 534 in 1905. In 1914-15 the department an- swered 765 alarms as compared with 243 in 1905.
In 1905 the fire alarm department was housed on the top floor of a brick engine-house, surrounded by inflammable structures, and in other ways menaced by the very dangers of which it was supposed to give timely warning. At that time the equipment consisted of ten box and six engine-house circuits connected with 117 boxes. There were eight engine companies, three chemical companies, one ten-circuit auto- matic repeater, and the necessary storage battery to operate the sys- tem. Repairs were made in a small machine-shop, as were the special switches and other devices used by the. Department. In contrast, by 1915 the city had acquired a modern fire-proof central station, built on the shores of Lake Merritt.
FURTHER GROWTH, 1915-1928
From 1915 to 1928 the department continued its advance toward modernity and efficiency. The five-year period beginning in 1920 was marked by steady progress. During this time, as has already been pointed out, the motorization of the department was completed. In these years, also, the Bureau of Fire Prevention was perfected; the auxiliary high pressure system was installed, the two-platoon system was established; while the budget was increased from $687,500 in 1920 to $1,047,000 in 1924-25.
At the end of the fiscal year 1927-28, the department was carrying on its rolls 382 officers and men. The officers included the chief, two assistant chiefs, nine battalion chiefs, thirty captains, twenty-three lieu- tenants, and forty-seven engineers. There were 230 hosemen in the service. Throughout the fire limits of the City of Oakland, which in- clude every conceivable form of fire hazard, from inflammable cargoes on ocean liners to the dry grass of the sun-burned hills that rise to the east of the city, were scattered twenty-three engine companies, each with its crew on duty night and day, and connected with headquarters by the most modern alarm equipment. In addition to these engine companies there were seven truck companies, one chemical company, stationed at the City Hall, and one high pressure station at Fifteenth and Oak streets.
The engine companies were distributed as follows: No. 1, City Hall, 522 Fourteenth Street; No. 2, 480 Sixth Street; No. 3, 1681 Eighth Street; No. 4, 1235 East Fourteenth Street; No. 5, corner of Milton
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and Market streets; No. 6, 2228 East Fifteenth Street; No. 7, 1095 Fifty-ninth Street; No. 8, 466 Fifty-first Street, near Telegraph Ave- nue; No. 9, 1311 Magnolia Street; No. 10, 165 Santa Clara Avenue; No. 12, 817 Alice Street; No. 13, 1215 Thirty-third Avenue; No. 14, 3461 Champion, at Pleasant; No. 15, 427 Twenty-fifth Street; No. 16, 3441 Thirteenth Avenue, corner Hopkins; No. 17, 3654 Allendale Avenue, corner of Abbey; No. 18, Fiftieth Avenue and Bond Street; No. 19, 5800 College Avenue, corner Birch Court; No. 20, 1357 Ninety-third Avenue; No. 21, 1451 Montgomery Street, corner John Street; No. 22, 3330 Magnolia Street; No. 23, 7200 Foothill Boule- vard; and No. 24, 6226 Moraga Road. The location of the truck com- panies was as follows : No. 1, 480 Sixth Street; No. 2, 1235 East Four- teenth Street; No. 3, 1681 Eighth Street; No. 4, 427 Twenty-fifth Street; No. 5, 698 Fifty-sixth Street; No. 6, 1700 Fifth Avenue; and No. 7, 1357 Ninety-third Avenue.
The City of Oakland in 1928 ranked favorably with other cities of the same size in the percentage of losses by fire and boasted one of the lowest per capita losses in America. Figures for the years from 1920 to 1925 show that the fire loss was but 3 per cent of the value of the property in the city with a destruction of but $2,951,015.50 of a possible total of more than $95,037,000 worth of property involved.
The loss by fire in 1924 was the largest in the history of Oakland, nearly doubling the figures for 1923 and approaching the total for the four previous years. The $400,000 fire at the Union Construction Company plant in April of that year and the sixty-eight blazes traced to the activities of Oakland's fourteen-year-old pyromaniac, Kenneth William Fisher, sent the 1924 losses to the record total of $1,190,- 305.97, an increase of $500,358 over the 1923 figure. Fisher admitted setting fires from November 8, 1921 to November 1, 1924. He was ar- rested and tried and placed in an institution for the feeble minded.
William G. Lutkey was appointed chief engineer of the Oakland Fire Department on July 11, 1928, succeeding Chief Samuel S. Short, who became the ninth permanent chief in July of 1921. Chief Short was the successor of Elliott Whitehead, who had held office since July 1, 1915. The first chief engineer of the Fire Department, as organized on a municipal basis, was M. de la Montanya, who took office in 1874. Chief de la Montanya was succeeded in turn by James Hill, James Moffitt, J. F. Kennedy, E. B. Lawton, and W. H. Fair. The last named was succeeded on March 29, 1898, by N. A. Ball, who held office until Whitehead took the reins on July 1, 1915.
CHAPTER XI
COUNTY ELECTIONS SINCE 1914
THE 1914 PRIMARY ELECTION-THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1914-THE 1916 ELECTIONS-THE 1918 PRIMARY ELECTION-RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION-THE 1920 PRIMARY ELECTION-THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1920-VOTERS REJECT CITY-COUNTY PROPOSALS-THE 1922 PRIMARY CONTEST-THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1922-COURT- HOUSE BONDS DEFEATED-THE ELECTIONS OF 1924-PRIMARY ELEC- TION RESULTS OF 1926-THE REPUBLICAN COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE-RESULTS OF THE 1926 GENERAL ELECTION.
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THE 1914 PRIMARY ELECTION
The primary election of 1914 was held August 25. Joseph R. Knowland, the Oakland newspaper publisher, defeated Samuel M. Shortridge for the republican nomination for United States senator. He received a splendid endorsement in Alameda County, capturing 22,414 ballots to 4,695 for Shortridge. Chester H. Rowell, also of local newspaper fame, was defeated by Francis J. Heney for the progressive nomination for that office. Knowland was also given a complimentary vote on this ticket, 874 voters writing in his name.
The candidates who contested for the various county offices were as follows, the two high candidates being named first for each office: Superintendent of schools : George W. Frick, Blanche Morse, Alice H. Dougherty, H. C. Petray and May T. Wilson. Sheriff : Frank Barnet, Ben O. Johnson and Thomas P. Sheehan. District attorney : W. H. L. Hynes, Carl F. Wood, T. L. Christenson and George F. Witter. County clerk: George E. Gross, John P. Cook, Harry L. Boyle and Clara I. Cornwell. Auditor : E. F. Garrison, Henry F. Vogt, Thomas E. Atkin- son and W. F. Serb. Treasurer: M. J. Kelly, F. W. Foss, C. H. Brown and Charles Adams. Assessor: C. F. Horner, Hugh Craig, John A. Wilson, Fred A. Campbell and Charles E. Thomas. Tax
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collector : James B. Barber, Thomas Booth and Oscar L. Rogers. Recorder : G. W. Bacon and George Nesbett. Public administrator : H. B. Mehrmann and W. F. Drury. Coroner: Grant D. Miller, Dr. Charles L. Tisdale, H. K. Albright and Dr. R. O. Baldwin. Surveyor : P. A. Haviland and F. A. Post-Nikov. Supervisor, Second District : Charles W. Heyer, W. B. Bridge, J. F. Hopper, A. Hunse, E. V. Keith, Dr. M. Kibbe and Charles Osterberg. Supervisor, Third District : Joseph M. Kelley, J. N. Helmstein and Mrs. Maud Keaton.
Barnet for sheriff; W. H. L. Hynes for district attorney; Barber for tax collector; Bacon for recorder; Mehrmann for administrator; and Haviland for surveyor, received sufficient votes in the primaries to go on the general election ballots without opposition.
THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1914
The general election was held November 3, when the total vote for. governor in the county was 80,652. Hiram W. Johnson, the progressive candidate, received 47,320 votes for governor, his nearest opponent being the republican nominee, John D. Fredericks, with 25,612 votes. The three leading candidates for United States senator were Joseph R. Knowland, republican; Francis J. Heney, progressive; and James D. Phelan, democrat. Their respective votes in Alameda County were 38,100, 22,580 and 17,665. The county's vote for congressman for the Sixth District was: J. A. Elston, progressive, 36,164; George H. Derrick, republican 30,704.
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