The morning call., 1891-06-05
BROAD is FIRED.
A Very Lively Session Of the Fire
Commission.
Attorney Clunie Questions the Commissioners,
but to No PurpOse-Broad VIII Not
Give Up the Keys.


Fire Commissioners was held yesterday, to
further consider the charges of insubordina-
ton against Charles E. Broad. the Clerk of
the corporation yard, in having refused to
answer certain questions asked him con-
corning affairs at the yard
Commissioner Schmitt opened the ball by
moving that the examination of acting
Chief Engineer Sullivan be limited to
fifteen minutes.
Attorney Clunie, on behalf of the board,
objected, but the motion was carried by the
following vote:
Ayes-Ames. Schmitt. Parsons.
NoeS-Newman, Martin.
This vote was maintained all through the
proceedings, Commissioners Ames, Schmtt
aud Parsons acting always in unison.
President Newman ruled before the vote
that it was out of order. but was defeated
on a vote to sustain the Chair.
When the vote was against him, New
man stated that there was plainly no use
for him there, and retiring from the chair
left the room.
Commissioner Sehmitt took his place, and
Suilivan'S crOss-examination was CON-
menced by Clunie. Nothing relevant to the
case was brought out, but when closely
QuCoNlOlCQ ny OtuBto as W WHY CiblLSilo
were given old pieces of broken hose to use
as brake blocks, he told Clunie shat he had
stood enough of his impertinence and
wanted no more of it. If he. Clunie. per-
sisted in attempting to lead him there
would be trouble" Clunie disdained try
ing to cause any trouble, aud Sullvan's
fifteen minutes being up he was allowed to
retire.
ONE HOUR FOR THE DEFENSE.
Clunie then made number of objections
to the legality of the boards trying Broad.
but they were all disallowed.
Commissioner Parsons moved that Broad
be given one hour III which to present his
def3nse Despite Clunie's protests, during
which he was warned by AmeS, who re-
| lirved Schmitt in the chair, to behave him
self, or he would be elected, the motion was
! carried by vote Of 3 ayes TO Commissioner
| Parsons no.
Commissioner Sehmitt was sworn and
asked a great number of questions by
! Clunie touching his relations with Sam
Rainey, Martin Kelly and Commissioners
AmeS and Parsons with reference to dis
missing Broad from the department To
some OF these he made strong denials, some
he declined 10 answer, and In reply TO
others he informed Clunie that ut is none
of your business"
He denied having told R. B. Mitchell that
che (Schmitt was a dandy and running
pUAAAlCSs Ahdt at tilbbuuCU W SuNA0Fu Dunn
ley, and that Broad was a -" Clunie
and the witness had some lively verbal eX-
changes, in which honoTs were easy. On
motion of Parsons, Schmitts examination
was ordered closed, nothing relating to
BroRd'S characterization having been
brought out.
Commissioner Parsons was next ques-
toned about the same subjects that Schmitt
was. Most of the questions he declined to
answer, and Schmitt made the motion That
Parsons examination be closed, which was
so ordered by Ames.
Clunie came again TO the front with nu-
mer0uS objections, but no attention was
paid 10 them. Ames and Clunie had an-
other tilt in which Clunie referred to Ames'
legal career. No blood was shed. Ames
again told Clunie he would be elected If he
We're not more respectful to the board.
QUESTIONING TIE BOARDS RIGHT.
Robert B. Mitchell, subpenaed by Broad,
was called, but did not respond, and Clunie
asked for an attachment. A messenger was
sent for Mitchell, but he could not be found
Clunle then read at length several legal
authorities 10 support of his claim that the
| board had no right to dismiss employees,
! but only to suspend them, until tried by
/ some judicial court
| Ames eontended that the board had full
! power to try and dismiss, and oVerruled
! Clunie'S claims. Clunie was given FIVE min
| utes over the hour and was then stopped by
| would not recognize its power of dismissal.
| He desired TO have three or four hours TO
| present BrOadS case and had three or four
| witnesses to examine.
Broad was then called upon by Ames TO
| testify, but by Clunle'S directions refused
| to answer any questions, to testify. or TO
| make any motion at all that could be con-
| StTued int either assent or dissent. Clunie
| Kept on talking and protesting, and Ames
| called IN Chief Engineer Sullivan to put
| Ciunie out II he would not be still.
Schmitt moved the case be closed, which
was carried by to 1. Ames left the chair
| and Schmitt took his place. Parsons moved,
| seconded by Ames, that the charges of in
| subOrdinatiOn against Broad be sustained;
| carried; Martin voting no and stating
! he thought Broad had not had a fair and
| impartial trial, and begging to be excused
| from further voting
BROAD SUMMARILY DISMISSED.
Parsons moved that Broad be dismissed
| from the department. Carried by 8 ayes,
Martin excused. Broad was asked to give
up the keys of the yard, and through Clunie
declined to do so. For moment it looked
| as if the board would order Sullivan to take
the keys from Broad by main force, and a
| motion 10 that effect was indistnctly made,
| bnt it gave place to one instruclng Sullivan
to take such steps as he considered neces-
sary to protect The city's property at the
! yard.
Ciunie offered some suggestions "as a
| citizen, which we're not needed aud the
| board adjourned until Saturday.
| After adjournment the Commissioners
! seveTally stated that BrOad's successor had
not been selected yet and that they had no
names Tor the position under considera-
! ton.
Broad stated that ne would not give up
the KEYS nor his position and would test the
boards authority to dismiss him.