The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-23
FIRE CHIEFS PLAN.
He Submits a Scheme of Re-
trenchment.
THE fIREsoAr's EFFICIENCY.
IsterestIng Meeting Of the Fire Com
missfoners-The Council to Be
Asked to Modify the Bill.

The meeting of the fire commissioners
held last night opened with Mr.. John
Kahaley in the chair, and Messrs. Faegre
and Foster in attendance. but the mayor
and Mr.. Clark arrived later. The prin-
cinal business was the consideration of
report submitted by Chief Kellogg in &C
eordance with resolution passed at the
last meeting.
In resposse to your request that submit q
( nan vbeeeby the expenses of the department
rsyht b curtailed without impairing its eff
cheney. Tsubnit the following. The only diff
ecnIfs hat presents itself 10 me, and of which
hsye sny doubt, is the proper regulation for the
6,sboas, and this difficulty only prevails by rea-
a 81 the marine laws which we are compelled
n fespeet though know of no reason why the
marine laws on Puget sound should be different
frou marine laws governing ireboats in New
York or Boston harbors. But In order to con-
form 70 the instructions received from the
United States officials, no change has been
recommended a. to the manual force employed,
simply bringing her under the same reguIa-
tious governing other companies of the depart
ment This done, the work now performed by
two men would be accomplished by one. and
thus do away with the necessity for two men
now employed.
The suggestions presented to you are, in my
opinion, fair and equitable. While in some in
stances II may provoke individual protest from
some members of the department, IL is in ac-
cord with the best sentiment consulted, and GER
tainly In accord with the plan of retrenchment
that have from the start conceived to be neces
ssry. / hope and expect that 1t win receive
careful consideration at your hands.
The proposed plan divides the department
into classes and pays each class in proportion to
shework performed and the amount Of expert
epce had.
would classify the companies and officers
into first and second class
would classify the members into first, second
and third class with pay according 70 the class.
Iwould make engine companies /, 2, 8, 5,
hook and ladder truks /, 2, and chemical /, first
class
would make engine 4, chemical and sec
0ndclass companies.
iwouldput the freboat under the regulations
governing the Chicago, New York and Boston
ffebostu they being all the same), being guided
solely b. their experience obtained only by
service which opportunities we have not had.
Iworld dispense with the service OF two men
from truck
feel that this proposition will meet with
strong opposition and only the necessities
prompt me to suggest it.
would make all members now in the depart
kH~Ht WHV nave beEFeu u TERM oi one OF more
years first class. All who have been admitted
into the department within the past twelve
months second GLASS; and all hereafter admitted
shall enter as third class; that hereafter the
lime OF service for all members before they can
enter the first class shall be two years. This
nay be changed so that q member entering a
hrst class company may reach the first class in
)ne years service, but q member entering a Sec
,nd class company must serve two years before
entering first class. The reason for this Is that
he experience gained in a firBt-class company
n one year would be greater than In Q second
Hasa company in two years. Then. in the event
81 an applicant into this department bringing
With him an experience acquired by service in
other departments. he may, at the discretion of
he commissioners, after having served . can
fidacy Of few months, be advanced TO first
class without having to serve the time other
wise required.
For full information showing difference be-
tween present and proposed reduction OF salary
and force reference is had to schedule attached.
Schedule OF monty salaries as at present and
proposed, showing reduction: