The morning call., 1891-05-17
USES MADE OF
CHARITY MONEY.
The Firemen's Fund Shamefully
Mismanaged.
A Searching Investigation Made by the su-
peTvisors-DOugherty, the Bondless
Custodian Of the Sack.

Finance Committee yesterday into the af-
fairs of the Fire Department Charity Fund
disclosed a wretchedly slipshod condition Of
things.
This Charity Fund, as it is called was
established in the Fire Department some
twenty years ago. and its oStenSble object
is to provide fund for the aid of sick and
disabled fremen Every fireman in the city
is taxed 81 a month for the support of the
fund, and whenever a fireman is sick or dis
abled be draws $40 week toward his sup
port
When the fund was first established it
was in the hands and under the management
of the Fire Commissioners, but subsequently
its control was transferred to a Board of
FOremen
Tie apparent objects of the institution, of
course, are most cOmmendable, and have
received not only the moral support of all
but the financial assistance OF many. Well
disposed merchants ana citizens who have
felt grateful TO the fTe-laddies for III, if
heroic work III saving life and property
have from time to time contributed large
sums to this fund, and during the present
fiscal year the Supervisors have aided it TO
the extent of $500, neglecting. however, to
examine into the N anagement Of the con-
Germ or ascertain its stability and liability.
WHAT LED TO THE INQUIRY.
It was this last contribution that led up to
the present difficulty. Chairman Ebert of
the Finance Committee believed the board
had right to know what disposition was
being made Of funds received from the city,
so sent his expert to examine the records Of
the fund.
The custodian of the records refus ed to
permit such examination, and from this the
true condition of a criminaiy msmanaged
institution has leaked cut. 1t diScloses that
over 325 hTemen are being assessed 81 a
month to maintain a sort of contingent fund
for a certain gang of politicians to handle
and GiSbuTse according to their own pleas
uTe and without the slightest restraint
In behalf of the Fire Department there
appeared before the SuperVIsorIal lnqulSl-
ton sam Rainev, whose name is not exactly
household word, and the popular young
attorney Garrett McEnerney.
Mr.. McEueTney stated that he appeared as
the legal representative Of the Board OF
FOremen, and so far as it Is concerned
courted the most searching investigation
E Is. Treeland testified that when he was
Secretary of the Fire Department the Fire
Commissioners were the trustees of the
fund and one Of them acted as Treasurer.
Samuel Newman, President OF the Board
Trustee at one time, but the rules had been
since changed. He believed the fund to be
a purely private concern among the menl-
beers Of the Fire Department.
FREMEN PAY ONE DOLLAR INTO IT
George F. Maxwell, the present Secretary
of the Fire Commission, testified TO the tact
that be, when paying the men their salaries
every month, collected the collar which
they pay into the charitable fund. lie did
not believe there was any law or any power
to prevent those controlling tile fund from
using ii as they pleased.
\ ssistant Engineer MCkttrick, Secretary
of the Board of Foremen, said in reply to
Euert's question, How is the fund disposed
OF?
Well. we use it for any little thing that
we desire"
what do you consider little things?"
"Oh, well, # we wanted 10 erect monu-
ment we could take money out of the fund.
Gould you for any other purposes?
Yes; a portion Of it we can Use for any
purpose we think proper"
Does the amount Of money paid out OF
the charitable fund appear on your minutes
as Secretary" asked Mr.. Ebert.
NO: not as paid Out-luSt turned over. "
McKtttrick explained that it was turned
over for safe keeping
Didn't you consider the banks safe?"
continued Mr.. Ebert.
"Wen we expected change in the de-
partment, and We thought the money be-
/ longpd to us"
Did you think that the city's money be-
/ lOnged to your?
No; we thought that the money we con-
| tTibuted belonged to US.
''DO you Segregate the money!"
''No, sir; but we can do it, We use the
city's money first for charitable purposes"
NO BONDS FOR THE TREASURER.
District Engineer DOlan, Treasurer Of the
| fund, testified that be is not under bonds.
I !. Il
| can be used for legal expenses as well as for
/ sick benefits. The $1,000 found to De In the
! fund had been turned over 10 John Dough-
| erty for legal expenses.
What were the legal expenses" asked
| Ebert.
4 don't know, exert that we thought
| that a new Board Of Fire Commissioners
/ might come in and turn US ali out"
But what were the legal expenses?"
asked Ebert.
DOlan did not reply.
WAS the money to be paid to an attorneys"
| he was asked.
| Yes, SIT.
what att0rney?"
! Garrett MeEnerney was to be retained"
Burling asked whether DOugherty was
member Of the department
No, sir"
/ Ebert wanted to know what the other
members Of the department would receive
/ If the Commissioners were all removed and
! those IN charge of the money should keepit
! The astute Treasurer could not see.
McKittTick had returned with the books
! by this time. Thy contained no entry Of
! payment to DOugherty.
! McEnerney explained that the money was
! not ordered paid at a meeting. 1t was paid
! out on an order signed by the f0remen.
| ElleTt asked whether he knew IL any part
| Of the $1,000 was sent to Sacramento to pre-
/ vent a change in the department.
No, sir, was the reply.
suppose that it would not be used for
! any such purpose" said Ebert.
No, it would not" replied MeKittrick
Assistant Chief sullivan said the money
| given by the city had all been paid out long
| ago. He didn't think any Of the funds had
J been sent to Sacramento
AS REGARDS DoUGHERTY.
Burling wanted to known whether this
man D0ugheTty is a lawyer
Sullivan replied that he was a saloon
keeper.
Dougherty, Chairman Of the Democratic
County Committee, was called as witness.
He said he had been connected with the
Fire Department Tor fourteen years and had
contributed to the fund. He resigned from
the department about one year ago. The
money was, given 10 him for safe keeping.
with instructions To pay II out upon orders
signed by the Board OF FoTemen. Some Of
| it had been paid for counsel TO defend GER
tain suits to GUST the Fire Commissioners.
| The amount remaining in hand is 5000. The
| firm Of McEnerney had received $500 and the
! remainder had been used for incidental ex-
| penseS.
Dougherty regarded the money from the
| city az a gift and tile managers OF the iund
| could use it as they saw ft.
Sam Raiuey said he regarded the fund as
| the private property Of the members of the
| department who had contributed. They had
| a right 10 use it in preventing the Commits
! sioners from being onsted if they desired.
! He admitted that the affairs of the fund are
/ very loosely managed.
Chairman Ebert was curious to know
! something about the rules and regulations
| Of the fund, so asked that they be produced.
| They verify fully what Rainey said, that