St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-24
MEETING OF THE FIRE BOARD.
Chief Black Reelected for Two Years-The
DaytOn's Bluff ROw-PrOviding for
Disabled Firemen.


Disabled Firemen.
At the meeting of the fire commissioners
last night great deal of business was trans
acted, and as an election of fire officers was
to take place there was full attendance OF
the board.
Communications were received from sew
eral sources of minor Importance, and one
from Goodrich & Co., Offering to furnish 20O
feet OF four-ply chemical hose; accepted. Inc
mayors of Winona and Red Wing sought IN
formation about the old steam whistle form
erly used as fire alarm, with view to It's
purchase. Offers to furnish supplies were
opened and read. John A. Prindle 81 Co.
of Cleveland wrote that any swinging har-
ness in use in this department not
bought of the owners of Sullivan's
patents should be settled for at once, and
his bill OF 1888. 30 was allowed. Goodrich u
Co. explained the cause of bursting OF hose
furnished by them in plausible manner.
petition was received from the residents
of Post Siding asking that proper fire protee-
ton be furnished them by the placing OF
hydrants, an engine, hose reel and not less
than 1000 feet of hose in their section, which
petition was referred to the fire committee OF
the council
A resolution was adopted providing that
all disabled firemen after April 1 shall file
with the secretary physicians certificate Oh
disability and its cause at the end OF each
month; also execute IA release to the city as
required by law, and on default of such
action the secretary should omit the name OF
such injured fireman from the pay roll.
The following was also adopted: The
secretary shall make record of injured and
1fcah o1yi atn
jury and time, not exceeding six months after
date of same.
THE DAYToN's BLUFF ROW.
A letter was read from City Attorney Muir
ray to Charles Otis, chairman of fire COM
mittee, making complaint against the cap
tain of chemical No. 2, for dereliction OF duty
in not using telephone Oh the night OF the
row on Dayton's bluff, and saying this was
not the first time these instances had oe-
CURED, whereupon an investigation was
called for. Mr.. Otis had indicted a letter
upon receipt of this to Mr.. Delano, president
of the board, which said in substance that
the charges above set forth should be invest
igated; that he could not think it possible
that the statement was true, but considered it
should be looked into, and if the statement
should be substantiated he asked that the
person guilty should be dismissed for want
of intelligence in the performance of duty;
further, the want of harmony between the
fire and police departments was notorious
and detrimental to the public interest, and
speedy action should be taken to correct the
matter.
Mr.. Delano presented the circumstances OF
the case to the board as he had gathered
them. The foundation of the complaints
had been laid before the board. Provision
had been made for the answer
ing Of the telephone. Previous thereto
it became iutolerable for the chief
or his assistants to answer the phone at all
hours of the night. The engine house tele-
phones were not connected with the central
office at all and code of signals governed
those instruments, which made it necessary
for no one but those acquainted with them
to use the instruments. 1t had several times
happened that policemen had rushed into
engine houses and given one long ring such
as is used to call the central phone office,
which to the iremen meant an alarm and
was sufficient to call each fireman and horse
with run into position for fire somewhere.
IN THE DAYToN's BLUFF MATTER
it was that a young boy under the influence of
liquor had first asked the Waterman to send
for the patrol, and afterward two men who
were also under the influence of liquor had
called for the same purpose. They were not
known and no message was sent, since 1t
was understood that the chief of police would
not send the wagon such distance Unless
the request came from an officer or some
citizen known to him. The section
was constantly in a turmoil, and often
the patrol had been sent for and
by the time it could reach them the need for
it was at an end, and the participators in the
racket dispersed. However, the matter should
be ina uired into. Chief Black said his men
were instructed to telephone for anyone when
necessary. The indiscrminate use Of these
instruments could not be allowed, for they.
had no connection with the telephone com
pany's system and had signal arran cement
of their own; the department was
always at the service of citizens,
and the police had been extended
all the courtesies that could be furnished.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Jenkins said
that he had built a line Of wire from head
quarters to the police station to facilitate bus
mess. and In order that messages coming
from engine houses might be transmitted
through headquarters without calling the
central telephone office.
CITY ATTORNEY MURRAY,
who was present. explained that the officer
on Daytou's bluff at the time of the row men
toned had in charge three prisoners and
could not himself go ~ the engine
house, and that he had sent the messengers
there. He hoped it would be investigated.
The president suggested that an investiga-
ton be begun at 2 to-day to take evidence
and continue until the matter was finished.
The letters were placed on file and motion
passed that the examination be begun at the
hour named.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The board then proceeded to the election
of officers for the two years beginning with
April /. Mr.. Prendergast offered the name
of John T. Black for chief of the St.
Paul Fire department. The roll was
called, and without dissenting
vote Mr.. Black was declared elected.
John Jackson was nominated for assistant
chief and J. w. Jenkins for superintendent
of fire alarm, and the ballots showed that
their election was also unanimous.
Chief Black returned thanks for this evil
dence of the confidence reposed in him and
hoped that 1t might continue, which would
be the case If individual effort could accom-
plish such a result.
THE PAY ROLL
was allowed, the sum being s6.6S2.50.
Several minor matters we're presented and
discussed, and Mr.. Watson and the president
were appointed a committee TO ascertain the
price OF lots in the neighborhood of the Gar
field school for an engine house location,
with which the board adjourned.
At the close of the board meeting,
An INFORMAL DISCUSSION
Of the matter between the police and The
firemeu was held, In which Nr. Prendergast