The daily gazette., 1878-01-28
A Card from Ci,ierHanna.
~ WILMIsGron, Jan. "a, lS7

MIR. EDITOR AS much criticism has
been accustomed by myaction in suspend
ing ths Reliance and Water Witch Fire
Companies for violation of the rules Of
the Fire Department by attending fire
outside Of THE city limits, ana as much
of this criticism has been not only unfair
but extremely unjust, desire to make a
plain statement on my own behalf, IN
order thar my position may be fairly un-
derstood by the pubic.
It has been urged that the companies
alluded TO had a p srfect right, by virtue
of the orders of the First Assistant Engi-
nesr, to attend the fire in question, uu-
der the provisions of Section g, OF the
Ordinance, 70 further recognizes the Fire
Departn ent, which contains the follow
ing clause: "
"No tire com pany shall attend any Are
outside of the city limits, unless with the
consent of the Chief Engineer or Assis-
tant Engineer Ia charge" Now to show
that this position is clearly untenable,
aad fails to justify the action of the sus-
pended companies in violationg the law,
| would call attention TO Section of the
same Ordinance, in which the following
will be found:
"The Chief Engineer snail have full
control of the Fiie Department at all
fires aud assign to each company their
respective duties when necessary. He
may prescribe rules for the regulation n
and management of the companies at
fires and on going TO and returning from
fires, aud may on special occasions, In
bis discretion, district the city, and as
sign to each company its respective dis
trict."
In accordance with the power thus
vested in me, prepared series of rules
which we're appro yed by both the Assis-
tant Engineers before being made opera
tive. To two of these rules would call
special attention, viz. f.frI.|
"Rule IL. 4 he following companie,
are designated and may attend fires out
side of the city limits until the first of
Decsm Der, 1877, viz: Reliance, Ph~n :
Water Witch and " eccacOe. From
first of Decem Der, 1877, to the 9th of May
1878, the following companies may at
tend, viz: Friendship, Delaware, Fame
and Washington ait
"Rule 13. 1t win be tho duty of the
Assistant Engineers to see that the above
rules are strictly carried out, and to
promptly report any violation of the
same"
these rules were adopted in August
last, and the first violation was commit
ed a few days after they were issued, by
the Fame Hose Company. which attend
ed q tre iu Br0wHtown. As this was the
first violation, l did not then impose any
penalty, but gave the Department iair
notice that therefore the law and the
rules would be strictly enforced. -
Undcr the rules 10 was clearly the duty
of the A -sistant Engineer.in the absence
of the Chief, to see that the law was
complied with, in which case he would
have ordered the Water Witch to re-
main within the city limits, and sent the
Friendship, which was the next nearest
steamer, TO the scene of the fire. Instead
of SO doing he advised the Friendship p to
remain at The top of the hill AMI only
send the carriage down to lead the Water
Witch AT least such is the assertion Of
Mr.. Richard LeIbrant, who was director
Vi the Friendship on the morning of the
fire.. fi1io9 ei'. il
| would also call attention to the fact
that MIR. Thomas, In published card,
stated, over his own signature, that he
ordered the Water Witch Engine into
service; and this assertion is also made
by that company in official communic;i-
tion to the City Council. And yet in his
testimony before the Committees on Fire
Companies of the City Council he denies
having given any such orders, thus
fasifying his ownpublic statsment This
is hardly cr1ditable TO his sho wing OF che
case, AMI If the affair is to be judged on
a question of personal reliability I am
perfectly willing for the public TO decide
between Mr.. Thomas aud myself.
In conclusion / would say that, In my
opinion, the suspended companies com
mittei clear aud palpable violation of
the rules of tho Fire Department, and
that my action in the premises was lus-
tifiable anu right. There Is no use hag-
ing laws for the government of the de-
partment unless they are to be respected,
and II the penalties are not enforced the
laws will soon become imperative and
of no account. The question of attend
ing fires outside of the city limits is an
important one, and if the laws in this re-
spect are not obeyed the whole depart
ment will soon get into the habit of at
tending fires, aud thus leave the city to
the mercy of any conhagration that may
arise.
1t feel that my action has been Just and
proper, anu hope that liberal public
sentiment will support me in the stand l
have taken.
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM HANNA,
~ = In.