St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-31
THOSE FIRE TELEPHONES.
Rules Adopted for Their Use by the Police

Rules Adopted for Their Use by the Police.
The board of fire commissioners met last
night in special session, with Commissioners
Warner, Watson and President Deano pres
ent. The latter stated that the meeting was
for the purpose of considering the evidence
received at the recent telephone inYestiga-
ton, and reported in writing that he had
heard the testimony based on COM
munlcation of the city attorney Aand Chair
man Otis; thus twenty-one persons were ex-
amined and he could judge from having
heard the testimony something of the per-
sonal feeling which governed the statements;
he found nothing in the testimony which
showed any great lack of harmony between
the police and firemen which was detrimen-
| tai to the public; there had been cases of
''jawing," which were reprehensibe and
| should be stopped before becoming chronic.
In his opinion few minutes conference be-
| tween the chiefs would have squared matters.
Those matters should be settled by the chiefs
and not made the subject of public investi-
CATION, as the officers and public are always
in doubt as to just who is to blame. He
| thought misunderstanding existed in re-
gard to the telephone service among men
and officers. The testimony was read, and
discussion thereon commenced.
Chief Black called attention to the cir
cumstance in connection with the testimony
read, that three of the witnesses who had
been examined were discharged firemen.
Further, the chief thought that the testi-
mony was not as complete in documentary
form as was given before the committee.
After going over the evidence to some ex-
| tent President DelanO presented the follow
ing preamble and resolutions for the board s
consideration:
THE NEW RULES.
WHEREAS, The fire alarm and telephone
system were for the general public benefit
and should be operated at all hours of the day
and night, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the chief of the fire depart
ment should make rules for sending tele-
phone messages by policemen and other
officials, which should be printed and posted
in the engine houses, and the captains in
charge will be held responsible foil their
proper use OF the instruments. The chiefof
police is requested to inform the fire chief as
to how he wishes to have his men recognized,
aud their messages sent through fire alarm
'phones
Complaints of actions detrimental to the
public service by employees of the two de-
partments should be made to the heads of
the same, and the difficulty tremendously
decided by the chiefs; and if they cannot
agree, it shall be referred to the next highest
authority-either the mayor or the fire COM
missioner. Due allowance and con-
sideratiop should be made by all in listening
to talks of discharged men from either de-
partment, and publicity of complaints should
be discouraged in every possible way, until
they are investigated, to the end that the
greatest degree of harmony may exist be-
tween the fire and police departments.
The resolutions were adopted with the fol-
lowing amendment
No connection of wires or instruments to
be made by any person with fire department
| wires for any purpose except by
consent of and under personal di-
rection of the fire department, or superinten-
dent Of fire alarm, and when any instrument
is so connected and not in proper order, i'm
mediate notice of the same should be given
to said superintendent.
Mr.. DelanO thought it would be a good
plan to provide policemen with little differ
ent colored tickets which would be under
stood by all as representing request for a
doctor, police help and patrol wagon, and in
case Of such a circumstance as that on Day
toms bluff, the officer could send his
ticket by any kind of messenger and it would
be recognized.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The board then took up the proposition of
Davis IL Brown 10 furnish lot. for school
purposes in West St. Paul proper on George
street for 81, 100. The committee on the
matter reported favorably on the proposition
aud advised its acceptance, but the subject
was POSTPONED to a full meeting of the board