LITMIR.BIZ

      Chief of Police — Frank P. Truax, appointed to succeed J. G. Goehring, who had held the position since April, 1915, but resigned in March, 1919. The appointment of Truax was ten years to a day since he joined the force April 1, 1909, as desk sergeant. He was a detective inspector at the time of his appointment as chief.

      As at present constituted the force consists of chief and two patrol sergeants, inspectors (detectives) five, desk sergeants two, police court bailiff, patrol wagon drivers two, traffic officer, department clerk and twenty-three patrolmen — total thirty-eight.

      Fire Chief— W. C. Berkholtz. Assistants— James E. Caldwell and W. A. Washburn. Berkholtz entered the department July 1, 1913, was appointed assistant chief October 1, 1913, and chief November 1, 1917, succeeding John G. Wintemute who had resigned. O. J. Normart entered the service August 1, 1904, and reentered May 3, 1907, became assistant December 1914, and resigned July, 1918. Caldwell entered the service June 15, 1911, was an engine company captain and on Normart's resigning was advanced to first assistant. To the vacant position of second assistant, Washburn, captain of Engine Co. 3, was appointed. The force consists of fifty-nine regular firemen and eight call-men. The department is motorized and the apparatus consists of three gasoline pumping engines, three steamers, three hose, three chemicals and a service truck. The oldest department members in point of service and all having been connected with the volunteer department are:

      W. H. Harris, engineer of Engine one, born Nov. 21, 1855; joined 1887-88.

      Ezra M. Packard, captain Engine one, May 26, 1871; July 14, 1904.

      H. C. Pabst, lieutenant Chemical two; May 9, 1871; May 5, 1905.

      Former Chief Wintemute had for his dates August 4, 1872 and June 9, 1891.

      The playgrounds department which is now a big affair, had a small beginning from a citizens' "labor of love" movement boosted into prominence by the children themselves with parades and their influence on parents and friends to vote for the bond acquisition of grounds inspired by the W. J. Dickey legacy of $10,000. It has now seven established playgrounds taken over and "opened in the following order oi priority: Dickey at Blackstone and Sylvia; Holmes' Athletic Field at First and Inyo named for School Principal Holmes who sacrificed his life at the fair grounds to save injury to children under his charge by reckless horse racing, an incident that gave the playground movement much impetus; the Cosmos at G and San Diego, a veritable "melting pot" for the children of foreign born parentage in that district: the Fink-Smith Field at C and Amador, a donation to the public; the California Field at K and San Diego; the Washington as an expansion of the Washington school ground at Glenn and Thomas Avenue; and the Einstein Memorial playground on Roosevelt Avenue. The pioneer demonstration playground was in the courthouse park and it is annually resurrected during the three hot months of the summer for the small children of the down" town district. Out of the bond issue that the children were instrumental in carrying by such a decisive vote was also bought the site for the municipal convention hall at Kern and M, one block from the courthouse.

      The electric is another expanding department. It has in June 1918 four electrolier street districts in operation as follows: The pioneer down town business street district 488 lights, the block I and J, Merced and Stanislaus, thirteen. South I eighty-eight. South J sixty, Fresno Avenue west in course of completion 118, the extension on Van Ness (K) out to the city limits at California Avenue 108, making with two at the railroad subway a total of 877 electrolier lights.

      Since the

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