National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-21
FIRE COMMISSIONERS.

Proceedings Last Eight-Ths District Com
Eissionsrs Inquire Into the Conduct Of
President williams.
The regular meeting Of the Fire Commissioners
was held last evening at the Columbian building;
President Williams in the chair. Commissioner
Thomas acted as secretary. The others present
were Commissioners TAFT, Morgan and Collins,
Chief Cronin and Assistant Chief Drew.
The secretary read o communication from the
secretary Of the District Commissioners, request
ing the board to make to the District Commission
ers, or before 18th proxlmo,a detailed state
ment of the transactions Of their department since
their last report, with any recommendations that
they might think proper to make, with the object
Of increasing the efficiency OF the same; also, to
forward an estimate Of the amount required for It's
support for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1871.
On motion Of Commissioner TAFT, the president,
secretary, and chief and assistant chief were sp-
pointed committee to furnish the report called
for In the communication.
Publication was made for . fTe-bOx key for
John A. Bailey, a.,
On motion Of ComHtsiOner Coi,ins tad super
intendent OF the ire-alarm telegraph was directed
to report to the board what disposition he had
made OF the master or relief keys given to him
for distribution.
Commissioner Morgan, from the building COM
mittee, requested further time to report upon the
condition Of No. and No. engine-houses.
[ Granted.
The committee appointed to revise the rules was
also granted further time.
Commissioner Morgan read communication
from the District Commissioners, inclosing copy
of letter received by them from the board OF I'M
derwriters Of the District Of Columbia, and ID. 2
words of President Williams in the hrmen's con-
vention in New York. to both OF which the atten-
ton Of the board was invited, with request that
they furnish report OF the facts connected with
the matter at the earliest possible moment.
The inclosed communication from the board OF
to day or two ago, in which the underwriters
requested the dismissal Of Mr.. Williams from his
position as president Of the Ore board unless an
| had not used the language which be was re-
ported to have uttered during the session of the
tion was not reported to the board, and the presi
dent refused TO make It public.
After reading the communication from the
District Commissioners, Commissioner Morgan
| moved that the board go into executive session,
in order that they could thoroughly examine into
the affair and make 1t known to the public at the
Commissioner Collins said that he was opposed
to secret sessions and did not the necessity Of
board had already taken all action necessary in
the matter, and thought that all that remained
to be done by them was to send to the District
Commissioners the official report Of the proceed
| inss Of the last meeting ofthe board.
Commissioner Morgan thought II he (Commis-
etoner Oolltns) had read the com munleatlon more
carefully be would see the necessity OF further
considering the matter.
Commissioner Thomas said that, Ike Commits
sioner Collius, he believed the District Commits
sioners misapprehended the contents Of the CON-
mHnication, and thought that all that was neces-
sary was the Transmission TO the commissiooers
OF the Official account Of the proceedings Of the
meeting at which the matter had been brought up
by the board.
Commissioner Morgan thought that the commu-
nication called for q consideration, and did not
know that the board had finally settled the mat
ter.
Commissioner Collins said that the matter had
not been settled, and AFTER they had sent the
official report to the District Commissioners, II
go on with It.
Commissioners Thomas and TAFT agreed with
Commissioner Collins.
On motion Of Commissioner Collins, the secre-
tary was instructed to furnish the District Com
missioners with the official record in regard to the
matter under consideration, contained IN the pro-
ceedings Of the last meeting Of the board.
The board then adjourned.