The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-19
CHIEF AGAINST
COMMISSIONER.
Sullivan Scores Newman at the
Fire Boards Session.
Why Incompetent Men Are Kept in the De-
partment of Firemen-Building
for a Chemical Engine

Everything progressed as merrily as a
Sled on toboggan slide during the session
of the Board of Fire Commissioners, yester-
day afternoon, until several derelict mem
bers of the department had been tried. 1t
was then that Chairman Newman threw
down the gantlet and began criticizing the
conduct of Acting Chief Engineer Sullivan i.
81 would like to know" said he, why it
is that the Acting Chief Engineer permits
unreliable men to fill positions in the de-
artment"
SULLIVAN TALKS BAG K.
"Tll tell you why" shouted Sullivan as
he bounded to his feet: dozens of incom-
petent men have been tried before this COM
mission for neglect of duty or violating rules
of the department. You, Mr.. Chairman,
have always taken the part of the accused,
and while other members of the board have
voted to dismiss the offender from the de-
partment, you have always voted against it.
1t is impossible to put out fires with the class
of men you persist in keeping in the depart
ment. Can you tell me of one instance
where you have voted in favor of discharg-
ing incompetent men? No. you can't; and
now you have the audacity TO ask why such
men are retained in the service"
swell, WE'LL" stammered Newman as his
face turned very red, IF | voted that way
why that's my privilege"
MORE EQUIPMENTS RECOMMENDED.
Before this spicy incident of the me citing
the routine business was disposed of with
mendationS that equipments for the TWO
chemical engines and a hydrant wagon be
purchased and that One-StOry frame
building be erected on Outside Land Block
1873, for the use OF one OF the chemical
engines, were approved.
Morris Finn was appointed an extraman
for Engine T.
Sullivan made report on the petition of
property-owners for the placing of an engine
company on Potrero avenue He said that
while the location was very desirable, the
new company could not be established at
present, owing to the insulficiency of the
funds.
1t was decided to notify the Board of SD
peryisors of the establishment of Water
Tower Company ], and to recommend that
the salaries of the members of the company
be fixed as follows: Captain SIPS a month.
driver $50 and pipeman 800.
FOREMAN OTTO FOUND GUILTY.
Foreman Richard Otto of Truck Company
was tried on charges of missing four
alarms OF fire during June and drunken
boxes and drill. but denied the allegation
of iutoXication.
Otto has been a member of the depart
ment for fourteen years, and foreman of
liuCh loI lOuI years. lHeT6 seems 10
have been a combined effort among the
members of the company to GUST him.
Several testified that he had often neglected
to attend fires, and on the night of the 10th
of June was around the truck-house howl
ing drunk"
Sullivan said that the company was de-
m0ralized and without a head. He had
frequently reprimanded Otto for drunken
ness.
Newman moved that the charges be not
sustained, but the other Commissioners
thought differently of the case and sustained
the charges. The question of punishment
was postponed for one week. 1t is said that
II Otto does not consent to resign as fore
man and take position as extraman in an
other company he will be dismissed from
the department.
GALLAGHER PLEADS GUILTY.
James Gallagher, an extraman of Truck
/, pleaded guilty of having failed to respond
to nine alarms of fire during June. As seven
of the alarms were turned in on one day
while Gallagher was taking care of sick
child and could not hear the bells, the board
dealt leniently with him. He was sus-
pended for thirty days.