The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-20
OGERS DID WRONG.
~fstant Fire Chief to be
Reprimanded.
taacED WITH ..sAck-cAPPINo.'
- serious Charges Thrown Dat
neeaxss Of Delay in Filing Them
-Kellehcr Resigns.

a meeting Of the fire commissioners
D - nisht charges of misconduct preferred
~ ;s;nsf Assistant Chief William T. Rogers
80. investigated, the result being
eaal victory for the accused, notwith-
5.1inp the fact that he was found guilty
- Of the charges. The other three
s1ees we're not considered because they
- barred by the statute of limitations
n : law made by the board of fire COM
ui0ners itself.
& re charges were presented in writing
RI Commissioner ]. l.. Kahaley, and ac-
rrd Rogers of unbecoming conduct, and
go being unqualified to hold his position.
s f2arre No. stated that on various oc-
& IONS Rogers had mismanaged fires
& SRnre he bad been in command, and that
8 unsiderahle damage had resulted there
80 Eleven different occasions were
nuocs5ed in the charge.
4 n charge No. 2 Rogers was accused of
n1aine ID . manner unbecoming an officer
y 1the department and "a gentleman by
ekine % injure the standing Of q subor-
afn1fe officer. Under this head were
uecIied numerous occasions and ways
& which Rogers had attempted to injure
s - sanding of Captain NJ. F. Kelieher by
Z ting him without cause to the chief
"a y circulating derogatory stories.
NJ third charge accused Rogers of pro-
euiine certain articles. which he appropri-
ste1 IS his own use, and of having them
ek1iie1t0 the department. 1t charged
a. e Md procured in this way certain
toiat nl1es at Kellogg's drug store and
90 - loes at a commission house.
B stokgc number four it was charged
- n@Sers had threatened w. E. Lewis,
uheNw appointed by the com mission to
soeod n. ]. Hayter as an engineer in the
dg1ment. and had persuaded Lewis
" % sccept the position, which consti-
{ md an act outside of his duty and was
d iuferference with the right of the COM
ninioners.
After the reading of the charges by the
defk. a. F. Burleigh. who appeared as
Roger4 attorney, said that he wished to
Uter IN objection to the consideration Of
~ first three charges since they were
barred BY the statute Of limitations. Rule
/ ~ Of the rules and regulations of the
department. provides that no charge
agninst . member Of the department shall
y entertained, unless it be preferred
vithin thirty days after the alleged mis-
conduct occurred, and that none Of the
sets charged took place within the last
month.
Nj. Kahaley stated that he had made
ut the charges over month ago, but out
drespect for Mr.. Rogers and his family
lod withheld them, because he had been
Nd by Sheriff Woolery and others that
:1ogers intended to resign. If this had not
hem SO the charges would have been pre-
3Rred within week.
Mr.. Faegre thought Mr.. Burleigh's point
veil taken, and that since the commission
ers made the law themselves they should
abide by it..
Rogers attorney stated that he wished
10 say that his client had given nobody
to state that he would resign.
II was decided by the board that the first
three charges were barred and the consid-
eration of the fourth one was taken up.
w. z. Lewis was sworn and proved a
very unsatisfactory witness by answering
Iii questions in roundabout way. He
II am a member of the fire de-
partment and have been employed as
engineer at the salt water pumps. Last
had conversation with Rog-
ers He said he understood that was to
take Hayter's place and advised me not to
accept as there was considerable back
biting and i'll feeling in the department,
and there was apt to be trouble. As
didn't wish to get into any trouble
brought mp my resignation tonight"
On cross-examination by Mr.. Burleigh
Lewis said 81 am on friendly terms with
Rogers"
"When he told you not to accept did you
consider it as friendly advice or as coming
from an official 2"
.Both as from friend and an official.
understand that when man gets to be 40
pears old he is fired out of the department,
20 thought it the proper thing for me to
resign, as am 80. I didn't think Rogers
made threat He was just giving me
pointers on what was going on on the in
side. do not belong to the Brotherhood
II Locomotive Engineers.
Mr.. Faegre asked: Ibid Rogers inti-
mate that he would make trouble for
your
Not exactly; but l had read about the
trouble in the papers, and thought I'd
better resign"
Rogers went ON the stand and testified
q follows, ''In the conversation with
Lewis l told him l guessed they would
send him up among Us, and that he would
not have as easy a time as he had at the
salt water pumps. Hiywife is paralyzed,
and he couldn't leave her. told him If be
could get another good job il would be
better for him, rs his taking Hayter's
place would only cause more or less talk.
Then it wouldn't be long till he would
come under the forty year rule and would
have to so. i said nothing that was in
tended to intimidate him. l didn't do
THIS officially, but in friendly way"
Rogers then underwent a cross-exami-
nation from the different commissioners,
md answered as follows: when / spoke
trouble referred to his wife. 1t was
aot because of his going to take Hayter's
100 had heard Hayter couldn't stay be-
cause he was too old, but didn't know
soout 1t for certain. l am on more friendly
efms with some of the boys have known
uf years. but never make any distinction
hres. haven't taken part i'm any fac
sonal hight. ! don't want to stay IN the
Impairment holy minute, but | don't
want to go out under cloud, and amt
going to-
Lewis was recalled, but little of impor-
ance was brought out.
Mt burleish said that he wanted to offer
sohie written testimonials by reliable citi-
~ns 10 Rogers character. but Mayor
"alie ruled that they would have no
Sarng on the case.
mere Mr.. kahaley took occasion 10 rise
mo say that while the first three charges
sao been barred, they were nevertheless
Ass and could be proven SO.