St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-01
OFFICIAL.
Proceedings Of the Board Of Fire Com
missioners Of City Of St. Paul.

MlSSlOlGrS Oh lily OIL 81 PduL
Special Meeting.
| OFFICE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS,
ST. PAUL, March 80, 1885.
Board met under special call.
Present: Commissioners Warner, Wat
son and President Delano-3.
Absent: Commissioners Parker and Prem
dergast-2.
| Board had under consideration evidence
| taken in matter of misunderstanding be-
tween Police and Fire Departments regard
| ing use of fire alarm telephones for police
purposes.
President Delano presented the following
report:
ST. PAUL FIRE DEPARTMENT,
March rs, 1885.
To the Board of Fire Commissioners:
GENTLEMEN: Pursuant to your order
have taken the testimony in the investiga-
ton ordered by you on the 23d inst. based
on the communications of City Attorney
Murray and Chairman Otis of the City Coun-
Gil Committee on Fire Department in refer
ence to the use Of the Fire Department tele-
phones by the city policemen and other
officials.
statements taken and reduced to writing
and are herewith submitted for your. exami-
nation and further disposition.
saw the witnesses as examined and could
judge somewhat of the personal feeling
which might exist and influence person in
giving testimony.
I found nothing in the testimony which
makes me believe that there is any great
lack of harmony between the members OF
the Police and the Fire Departments detri-
mental to the public service.
There have evidently been cases OF
''jawing'' or disputng with each other,
which is reprehensible and should be stopped
if possible and before it becomes chronic.
In my opinion few moments conference
between the Chief of Police and the Chief OF
Fire Department would have set matters all
right and avoided any further trouble and
there would nothing occur in either depart
ment but what they could easily settle.
/ think that these matters should be set
tied bv the Chiefs and not made the subject
OF public investigation, such Investigations
generally leaving the public and the officials
| in doubt as to who is exactly to blame and in
most cases only making matters worse.
In my view of the evidence, land which
evidence you will carefully review:) l think a
| misunderstanding has existed in regard to
this public telephone service among the
men, as well as among officials. which should
be corrected at once, and herewith submit
the following resolutions for your considera-
ton. Respectfully submitted,
F. r. DELANo, President
| WHEREAS, The fire alarm and telephone
system of the city has been constructed and
is maintained at large expense for the
Dfli na,,
and other city officers, and for the general
public benefit, and the same should be ope-
rated at all hours of the day and night. That
due allowance and special consideration
should be made 10y all concerned in listening
to the tales of discharged men from either
department. and the publicity of all COM
plants should be discouraged in every posi-
Die manner until said complaints are prop
erly investigated, to the end that the greatest
degree of harmony shall exist between the
| officers and men of the Police and Fire De-
partments, which harmonious action is so
| mportant for the public interest To accom-
| plish this result be 1t
Resolved First-That the Chief Of Fire
| Department make such rules as are neces-
| sary for the sending of telephone messages
| by policemen and other officials and cause
the same to be printed in large plain type,
| and post the same in each engine house and
| office where fire alarm phone is used, and
| the captain Of any company or person in
charge of an office shall only use and will be
held responsible for the proper use of the
same according to the rules so posted.
| Second-That the Chief of Police is
hereby requested to inform the Chief of Fire
Department in writing as to how he wishes
to have the policemen recognized and their
messages sent through the fire alarm 'phones
without delay.
Third-That any com plant for any action
| detrimental to the public service by the en-
| ployes of the Police or Fire Department
| should be made in writing to the Chief of
the Department whose employe shall make
such com plant, and the subject matter of
| the complaint should be settled and decided
| by the said Chiefs upon mutual and har-
monious consultation, if possible, and if they
cannot agree then the matter shall be referred
to the next higher authority, to-wit: The
Mayor as head of the Police Department or
the Fire commissioners as head Of the Fire
Department for their action thereon.
Fourth-That no connections of wires or
instruments shall be made by any person
with the Fire Department wires and instru-
ments for any purpose whatever. except by
CONSENT Vi, anu pcl5Oudl
OF the Fire Department Superintendent Of
Fire Alarm, and when any instrument or
machine 30 connected is not in proper work.
ing order Immediate notice Of same should
be given to said Superintendent
On motion, report and resolutions adopted,
and copy of report and resolutions be forwarded
to City Attorney, Chairman Committee on
Fire Department Of City Council and Chief
of Police.
REPORTS.
To Board of Fire Com missioners:
Your Com mittee to whom was referred as
certaining price Of lots suitable for location
of Chemical Engine house in Sixth ward re-
port in favor Of purchasing the following:
Easterly go feet Of lots and 5, and the
easterly 60 feet Of s n Of lot 3, block "a,
West St. Paul proper, for the sum Of 81, 100,
being piece Of ground 60 by 125 feet on
George street.
Respectfully submitted,
J. J. WATSON,
Z. Z. DELAgo,
Committee.
On motion, report adopted and purchase
ordered made.