Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-22

SrEC1AL MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
The Board of Fire commissioners met last
evening TO take action on the bids received at
their last meeting for furnishing fire apparatus
Before the board was called to order Mr.. w. B.
Reed handed TO the president (Mr. COllins) a
paper purpOrting TO be an opinion Of the AttOr-
ney General sustaining his (Mr. Reeds, right TO
a seat I'm the board, which the president read
and returned to him with the remark, that il
might be satisfactory document TO him but it
did.nOt seem TO be addressed TO the Board of
Fire commissioners.
Mr.. REED CLAIMS TO BE MEMBER OF THE
BOARD.
After the meeting was called to order and the
minutes read, Mr.. Reed said, Il would like 10
inquire III my presence here has been recorded?
mo, sir, replied President Collins ..If moi =
continued Mr.. Reed. Il would suggest that the
board adjourn until tomorrow evening until
lhis matter can be settled. Ii the board does
not choose TO do that, want the secretary TO re-
cOld my protest against any action which the
board may take in my absence" Mr.. Collins
Inc secretary can record no such protest.
Inc president added that himself, and so far as
he knew, his colleagues had the kindest feelings
toward Mr.. Reed, but could not recognize him as
a member until he presented proper credentials
from the District commissioners, when they
would gladly welcome him aS one of them. NJ.
Hume stated that he entertained the kindest
feeling towards Mr.. Reed, but they had no au-
tEority for recognizing him as a commissioner
"Of whom does the board consist?' asked Mr.
Reed. Three commissioners, appointed by the
District Commissioners" replied Mr.. Collins
IL.
TO the board letter, in which he said:
''In appearing before the Board OF Fire Com
missiOners at Gas this D. H., requested after
presenting my authority, to be recorded as be-
ing present. you refused TO do so. / thereupon
stated that did not wish to retard the progress
OF our work for the evening by entering a pro-
test: You then replied that the decision of the
United states Attorney General not being be-
fore you officially, also the letter of the Hon.
Secretary CT the department of the Interior with
Instructions TO me- you could not permit me to
no fiE afal hnra INV,
proceedings may have been transacted this
evening is hereby done against my protest.
This letter, being signed Nv. b. Reed, United
states Fire Commissioner District of Comm
ia. was not read nor entered ON the minutes
and the board then proceeded TO consider the
BUSINESS
FOR which il had assembled A commitment i'm
was received from the District Commissioners
requesting the board to make an annual repOrt
and TO furnish an estimate OF the expenses OF
the fire department for the year ending June
80 1850. 1pquiSiti0n of superintendent Miles
for electric apparatus for the new houses was
returned TO the board for an estimate of the
cost. A communication was received from the
District Commissioners disappearing the appli-
cation OF superintendent Miles to have Stephen
X. Turner retained for one year as reparei. of
Wires at salary of s35 per month. Applica-
lions for positions in the department were re-
ceiNed from VIM. McGrath james Kinney
and John +. Bailey.
PRAISE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The board then discussed the bids received
1Of furnishing fire apparatus. During the dis
CuSsi0n, Mr. Bacon stated that Lieutenant
SWafnsk1. tie swedish naval officer who was
mere some months ago, had made Il report to
ms government in reference TO fire departments
and IRE apparatus, in which he stated that he
had Visited and Inspected the principal cities OF
Europe ana America, ana in his Judgment the
W dShlngtOn department is the best.
AS TO PURCHASE OF APPARA-
TUS.
The board unanimously adopted reconnen-
cation 10 the District commissioners TO award
The contracts 10 the following:
Fire englneS-Clapp Jones, Of Hudson. v
one 1rSt-claSS engine, s., 100, and one second
class, 1920. they being The lowest bidders
Hook and ladder truck-Buckey q Merritt of
New York city; flSt-claSS. Sl.,49.
TWO hose carliageS-Nc DermOtt a Bro of
ID. c., 500 each. Adjourned
ATTORNEY GENERAL DEvEN'S OPINION
upon which MI Reed bases his claim to the
Office OF tnited States Fire Commissioner iOr
the District says: aAS the Commissioners of the
District have not the power to appoint the in
cumbentS OF this Office it is not held under
them and In my Judgment it is not within the
intent OF the act OF Congress OF June 11th ISIS
that they should have the power to abolish il.
have not considered. nor in the above ODiaiOa
do intend 10 touch, the question which might
arise II the commissioners of the District OF
Columbia we've TO abolish or attempt TO do
away with the entire Board OF Fire Com