The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-11
GRANTING PERMITS.
Chief Scannell Disguised With
the Fire Committee.

solid Nine Board of Supervisors" is the
Fire Committee, and yesterday was one of
its particularly amusing sessions.
Chief Scannell was present-he always is
when he is able to attend, and if he is sim
cere in his utterances, should be credited
with being the most Jealous guardian of the
city's safety and staunch adherent of the
law who holds position Of trust in the city
government.
When h walked into the committce-room
few minutes before the committee meeting
was called, he was snugly wrapped to his
ears in magnificent blne brass-buttoned
greatcoat, and noticing this some one
chaffingly asked:i
Il say, Chief. is that fine coat one of the
'perqs' for consenting to the reconstruction
OF that little old shed down on Davis street
that was nearly smashed to pieces by the
tumbling walls of the Wangenheim build
ing?" o
the Chief. al the same time looking mp, some
what surprised. Consent 10 that being re-
built? Not much; why, the whole building
is ruined
THE board has given permission" said
the first speaker.
''Whatl'' exclaimed the Chief in unds-
permit to rebuild that shed ?" He refused
to believe it until assured by the evidence,
and then more disgusted man was never in
ire department.
WELL" lie finally exclaimed, with ire
mendous emphasis, what are these fellows
trying to do? Then rousing from a mo-
mentary reverie, he added: It'll not be
built. I'll arrest the first man that tries it. +"
He looked out the window moment, then
turning, intense disgust covering his face,
he exclaimed:
Whats the good of having any law with
Supl Board of SuparyiSOrS p'
The members of the committee had az
rived by this time and Chairman Barry
called them to order.
The first matter that presented itself was
petition by +. w. Nj. Lange for permission
to construct bay-window in his building
on Sixth and Mission streets, two or three
feet WIDER than allowed by law.
What do you think about it, Chief ?"
inquired Barry sednc lively Its fine
building and it seems a pity not to grant the
permit
Gentlemen, it's no use talking" said The
Chief impatlently; Its against the law and
you know it as well as do, OF course you
can grant as many such permits as you see
fit, but tell you it's against tho law, and
what is the good OF having law if you
don't intend to be governed by il? l think
as long as you've got a law, one that you
made yourselves. you'd better be guided by
1t, or else repeal it; not he all the time break
ing it,"
WV q oOuhu huo STU
onds. Finally kingwell ventured to sug-
gest in timid manner that the window as
designed Is really necessary to the building.
1t would spoil it to make it any smaller.
ms gave Pllster courage and he, too,
thought it would be rather hard to botch
fine building by making it conform TO the
law.
No one doubted that Kingwell and Pilster
in fact, the whole committee, would be
guided by Barry's pointer 1t was. only a
question Of how bold they would he in sup
porting the measure against the Chiefs ad-
vice and clearly against the law.
don't think it would do any harm to let
the man build his window as designed"
again said Barry in his low, melting aud
persuasive tones.
Move it be granted" spoke up Kingwel
quickly, taking the tip in an instant.
Second!' chimed Pister.
Carried" muttefed Barry.
The Chief leaned back in his chair, took
long breath, and glanced around the room.
A blind man could have seen the disgust
fairly oozing from his expression.
Mrs. +. A. May asked for permission to
repair closet and construct new floor in
the building at GA Commercial street. The
Chief said the premises are old !. and tumble
down, occupied by Cinnamon, and the board
should give no encouragement to repairs in
such places.
The disposition was strong to grant the
permit, but the Chief kicked" so vigor-
ously mat only the nrSt part was allowed,
which really the owner is compelled to do
anyhow Tor sanitary reasons.
The Paraffiue Paint Company requested
the privilege of using patent roofing ma
terial within the fire limits, on the ground
that it is fre-proof. The bare appearance
of this request inflamed the Chief as a red
flag does bull. He decried the idea of COW
ering the city with paint-c0vered canvas,
which he declared the material to be.
" Discharge your Fire Department. he
exclaimed, excitedly, tear up your statute
books and turn the city over 10 the flames.
Fire-proof be hanged ~ he exclaimed why,
we gave it a test u short time ago, and the
stuff burned like paper. Here's this mans
petition for the very same thing refused by
the last board" and the Chief emphasized
his remarks by snatching document from
his pocket and showing it in Barry's face.
The committee was inclined to grant the
petition, that was as plain as day. But the
opposition was almost too strong and it was
finally disposed of by laying it over for
week or two to give the company chance
to test it again for the benefit of the Fire De-
parrment authorities.
The Chief complained that tile Superin-
tendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph refused
to put good new gong in Engine-house No.
2 for his benefit, and asked that he be or
dered 10 do it by the committee, and the re-
Quest was granted