Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-24
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A Citizen Rises to Remark on the Under
handed Work Against Chief Strong.
To the Editor of the Globe:

handed Work Against Ch1et strong.
To the Editor of the Globe:
ST.. PAUL, March 23.-Thanks for
your comments upon the manner of
the appointment of a chief engi-
neer of the fire department in
this mornings issue. You may we'll criti-
else the action of the commission in the
matter of the appointment, but with equal
propriety you might extend your criticism
to the whole course of the fire underwriters,
its representative in the fire commission,
and one or two members of the council, to
disgrace and depose R. C. Strong, the present
chief. After scheming for months to get
hold of of some neglect of duty or error
of judgment upon which proceedings
could be based for his removal, these
schemers thought they saw an opportunity
in the Nicols & Dean fire, and howl was
got up in the chamber of commerce.
backed by threats of further advance in
the rate of insurance unless the depart
ment was improved. The result was that
the chamber of commerce made an ex-
haustive investigation of Mr.
Strong's management of that fire.
resulting not only in his com-
plete exoneration, but in bringing out in
strong relief his fitness for the position.
In fact Mr.. Dean of the firm, who has con-
siderable experience in fire matters, end
who watched Mr.. Strong's course, though
greatly outraged by the delay of the de-
partment in getting to the fire, unquali-
fedly Endorsed Mr.. Strongs' management.
Having thus failed in their effort to
disgrace and remove Mr.. Strong, the IN
derwriters' agent commenced scheming
for the reorganization of the board, and
having got such reorganization partially
completed in their interest, they finished
up the dirty jobs, evidently not daring to
trust the full board.
1 have not word to say against Mr..
Shay. I understand he is very compe-
tent man. But it is the injustice done Mr..
Strong of which I complain. With
half organized working force
and machinery VIGOROUSLY both
in number and capacity insufficient to cope
with and master fires in our great blocks
Mr.. Strong has accomplished wonders
Mr.. Shay, when in st. Paul a few days ago
after seeing the character of our business
blocks, declared that the least that the de-
partment ought to be expected to get along
with was eight first class engines. Mr.
| Strong now has one first class
| three second class and one third class en-
CINE, the four last old. The fact is, and
these schemers know it, the inefficiency o.
the department is in the lack of machinery
and in not having all full paid men, but t.
be successful in their war upon Strong al
the shortcomings are charged t.
him. To prove that the wa
is permanent one upon Strong
it is only necessary to say that Mr.. STA.
Is promised, if he accepts the position,
full paid department, and that as fast a
possible he shall have the additional ma
chinery, aud other additions, necessary t.
make the machinery department first
class. Is anything more needet
to show the outrage contemplated.
trust you will continue agitating the mat
ter until tits fully understood by the pee
pie. When they do understand I believ
they will reach the conclusion that tn
time has arrived for retiring the under
writer's agent from the management o
the fire department and devolving the re
sponsibility again upon those whom the,
elected for that and other duties. w.