The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-08
REINSTATED IN
THE DEPARTMENT.
Kentzell Foreman Again of a
Truck Company.
a Bit of History Connected With the Action of
the Fire Commission-New
Substitute Rule.

At the meeting of the Board of Fire Com
missioners yesterday the application of
James w. kentZell for reinstatement in the
department again came up for considera-
ton. On the 3lst of May Kentzell was re-
duced from the rank of foreman of Truck
and transferred to Engine as an extraman.
His plea for reinstatement is that he had
been reduced in rank without cause.
Commissioner Schmidt urged that the ap-
location should be put on file, as no vacancy
existed.
Chairman Newman moved that Kentzell
be allowed to withdraw his resignation, and
that he be reinstated as foreman of Truck 4.
Mr.. Schmidt c0ntended that the transfer of
Kentzell had been properly and lie sally
made and if reinstated he would have good
grounds for suit against the city to recover
back salary. As an amendment, he moved
that the matter lay over for one week for an
opinion on the subject from the City and
County Attorney. The amendment was put
to vote and lost, Newman, Parsons and
Martin voting against it,
OPPOSITION is MANIFESTED.
Commissioner Ames then vigorously OPP
posed the reinstatement, arguing that Kent
Zell had come in after a lapse of eight
months when new conditions existed in the
department and asked 10 be reinstated
Time had run against him and common
sense would show the unpOpularity Of put
ting him back in his old position.
Schmidt muttered something about "crea-
lures If the department." which caused the
Chairman to answer with warmth: II am
not creature under the control of any man
or hOdy Of men,"
81 did not insinuate that you WERE" re-
torted Schmidt, "and if you had listened
you would have heard me say that all the
employees are creatures OF the department.
We have had more trouble with Truck 4
than all the rest of the department. The
Chief Engineer disrated Ken1zeIl for in
competency and we had perfect right to
transfer him to another company. If we
reinstate him we open the door to hundreds
of others who have either resigned or have
been transferred.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Then Mr.. Newman told why he was so
anxious for Kentzclls reinstatement He
said that some 600 or 700 veteran fremen
thought that Kentzell had suffered an injus-
tice and should be reinstated. The speaker
renewed his motion for kentz.lPs rein
statement, and 1t was carried by the votes
of Parsons, Martin and Newman. Ame5
and Schmidt voted against it.
Kentzell, who was present, said that he
would sign an agreement to waive ali claims
for back salary.
Ken.Zel! was a member of the old Volun-
teer Fire Department and has been con-
nected with the present department for over
seventeen years. Some time ago he in
CURED the dlSpleasure Of Sam Rainey and
other henchmen of the deposed Car Chris
topher A. Buckley, by failing to take an
active part in swelling the ranks of a GER
tain Democratic club with the members of
his company. After his resignation the
Ratchet was buried and by some arrange
ment the new Republican members of the
board, Martin and Parsons, were induced to
vote with the Democratic Chairman for the
reinstatement.
QUANDARY PRESENTS ITSELF.
The reinstatement having been disposed
of the board found itself in quandary as to
what was to be done with Foreman John w.
Kelly of Truck 4 1t was finally decided to
transfer him to Engine IA, from which Fore
man McCrote, who has been on three
months leave of absence, is expected to
soon resign.
Mr.. Newman submitted an amendment to
the rules, providing that all substitutes
should be appointed by the assistant engi-
neers in the various districts, and that
drivers, stokerS and stewards shall be ap-
pointed by the board. The matter was laid
over for one week.
Chief Engineer ScanneH reported ad-
versely on the petition of property-owners
to establish and operate hose company in
the house Of Engine Is. He said that there
Is not sufficient hose or apparatus to estab-
lish such company rs the property oxners
desired TO operate, pending the organization
of the engine company.