The morning call., 1891-06-02
AT CROSS PURPOSES.
The INSTRUMENTATION Charge
Against Clerk Broad.
An Afternoon Spent by the Board With Little
or No Estimated Finan-
eial Demands.

The Fire Commissioners resumed, yester-
day afternoon, the trial of Charles E.
Broad, clerk of the corporation yard,
charged with neglect Of duty and insubor
dination. TIE latter charge was the out
come of the recent trial of Clerk Maxwell.
charged with violating the rules of the Fire
Department. On this occasion Broad was
called rs a witness, but upon the advice OF
his counsel refused to answer the following
question, prOpounded by Chairman 5 ted
man:
Have you any evidence to the effect that
Mr.. Maxwell received 10 per cent on con-
tracts for supplies furnished while he occu-
pied the position of clerk Of the corporation
yard ?"
This constituted the charge of insubordi-
nation Upon which Broad was tried yester-
day. greatly to the surprise Of his attorney.
A. j. Clunie, who fought desperately for
an investigation of the charge of neglect of
duty preferred four or five months ago An
inquiry into how and why the charge of in-
subordinati0n had been made opened the
proceedings on the part of the defense.
Assistant Chief Sullivan was sworn AMI
testified that the accusation in the form of
written document was made by Clerk Max
we'll, acting under instructions of the
board.
Clune-Did you not make these charges?
Sullivan-YeS, sir.
Clunie-HOw did you make them?
Sullivan-By ordering Maxwell TO draw
up written complaint.
Clune-Why did you do this?
Sulliyan-Because the board ordered me to-
DID NOT SIGN THE COMPLAINT.
Clunie-Did you sign the complaiutP
Sullivan-No, sir.
Clunie-Is it not customary for the AS
sistant Chief to sign such documentsP
Sulliyan-Sometlmes
Clunie-If you did not sign the complaint,
how 60 you contend that you made the
charges?
Sullivan-I have told you once already. 1
made them through Maxwell by order Of the
board.
And in strict accordance" Interrupted
Clunle. with programme arranged to Gust
my client from his position under this
board"
Commissioner Schmitt-I object to such
language. There has been no scheme ar
ranged to Gust your client from his posi-
ton.
"And l object" added Clun lie, "to your
sitting on this trial on account OF your bias.
L shall be- atle to prove before am
through" continued Clunie, "that this bias
is not confined to one member of the board.
but that there exists political conspiracy
TO -"
Hold on!'' shouted Commissioner Par
sons, "none of that! How dare you, sir,
attempt TO defame this honorable body?
Why DO you question the Integrity OF the
members of this commission? BY what
right do you attach odlum to our methodist"
The wrath of Parsons WAS in measure
appeased BY Chairman Newman, but again
be was aroused 10 rage ungaVernable by the
biting saIcasmS hurled at his teeth by Clu-
nIe. The wOrdy war subsidized after few
minutes, and Clunie renewed his exam ina
ton of Sullivan.
INSTRUMENTATION DEFINED.
Clunie-Cau YOU show any rule which
cOmpes Mr. Broad to answer questions
asked by the board?
No, sir; but consider INSTRUMENTATION
for him to refuse to answer"
How did you come to make charges
against BIoad?"
Because the commission instructed me
to-"
you would not have made charges of
your own acc0Td?"
NO, guess not; but I'm not sure"
Then the board seems to be preferring
charges and trying them too"
Commissioner PdrS0uS s1raug TO his feet
and objected 10 the questions.
ION, yau can't smut me off this way"
said CIuuie, " for we are going to sIft the
thing to the bottom"
Tie Chair permitted the line of questions
against which Mr.. Parsons protested.
Clune often stated that the commission
was trying to Job" Broad, and every time
he said ii Parsons moved neryousiy in his
Your opinion of the commission and
mine differ" said Clun e. "but | intend to
express mine to my hearts content"
A DISCREPANCY IN DATES.
At this juncture Parsons moved to close
the cas-, but Cluuie objected, saying that
his client had a great many questions to
ask, aud TO close would work him great
hardship.
Commissioner Ames then examined Sui
livan as to bow the charge was made. after
which he was again turned over TO Clune.
i refusal 10 answer what question in
me list asked Broad on the occasion Of the
trial would cons titute the charge of insub-
ordination" questioned the attorney.
Sullivan refused to answer upon advice of
AmeS
Clunie-Mr. Ames. you have 10 business,
sir. TO advise the man as TO his answers.
Ames-Ihen I'll take the right.
Ciunie-Have you any hard feelings
against Broad?
Sullivan looked toward Ames for sign
and answered no"
There were several objections to this line
Of questioning and sustained by the Chair
man, and Clune PLAYED another card.
''Will you state, Mr. Sullivan, the date of
the charges you ordered Maxwell to make ?''
Sullivan-May 23d.
Clunie-Are you sure?
Suliivan-Pretty sure.
Ciunie-You had better be very sure Re-
member, you are under oath.
SuIlivan-Well. it was on the 23d-
Wednesday.
Clunie-Your complaint says May 9th.
Parsons rushed to the rescue and ex-
planned that Sullivan was little confused.
but that the matter was all straight and
that tire case could hardly be dismissed on
such a techncaity. The further inVestiga-
ton will be continued on Thursday.
ESTIMATES OF NEEDS
A communication from the Chief Engi-
neer, asking for the appointment of an as
sisIant hOstler at AlamO-square stable, was
Endorsed by the board and ordered for
warded to the Board of Supervisors Com
missiOners Newman and Martin voted mo"
COMMISSIONS Schmitt submitted COM
munication, Endorsed by Commissioners
Newman, Schmitt, Ames and Parsons;
Commissioner Martin excused. The COM
municati0n was addressed to the Board of
Supervisors, and stated that the Board of
Fire Commissioners desired to present a
few facts in support Of its application for
increased appropriation Tor the ensuing
year. After reciting the great growth OF
the business section of the city and the need
of additional protection, the communication
goes on:
We have asked through the uditol for
appropriations as follows:
25 steam engine companies increase of 81 $l95 900
10 truck companies CHcrease of 5)........ rs, 600
hose companies (no increase ............ $500
chemical engines increase of 5)....., 27,720
Employees OF Corporation Yard and Alamo
Square 1880
Engineers aud ONCE expenses. 2O.7OO
water tower company. $500
Total $375. 500
For running expenses. 100000
Material. $4,000
Pen lon Fund 5000
6Tand S34l 800
The communication recommended the SUBJ