The morning call., 1892-04-24
ONLY FIVE ARE LEFT.
Three Unpaid District Engineers
Compelled to Resign.
Two Firemen Tried By the Commission FOR
Decentralization and Using Obscene Ian
gusge Relating to officers.

Matters Of unusual interest were consid-
cred at the weekly meeting of the Board of
Fire Commissioners yesterday afternoon.
All the members of the board, except Mar
tin, were present.
Hector Brodie, foreman OF chemical en-
CINE 2, resigned and Joseph Burnett was
appo inted 10 fill the vacancy
Resolutions to the respect of the late Cor
don f. Sloss were presented and adopted.
Commissioner Ames made an unsatlsfac-
tory report in reference to dispossessing w.
b. Bradbury from the Fire Department lot
on Bush streer. Ames said that the Mayor
and the attorney Of the board had promised
to take out writ Of execution, but as the
board could not understand what the Mayor
had TO DO with the matter the report was
not cheerfully accepted.
The matter was finally Strengthened out
by Chief Scanneli promising 10 investigate
and report at the next meeting.
For over an hour the commission listened
to testimony against the firemen accused of
characterization and using disresp ectful lam
guage about officers of the department
TALKED ILL OF HIS sUPERIoRs.
Charles Matthews. truckman of truck 4,
was tried on a charge Of having used OBJ
scene language relating to President Maurice
Schmitt and Assistant Chief Engineer Den
mis- Sullivan. There were half dozen wit
nesses who heard Matthews use the uncom-
plimentary language. Matthews called one
Of the Witnesses, II. J.. Beanfield, ga liar"
Beanfield created amid sensation by spring
ing from his chair and, shaking bis fist at
Matthews, shouting, ''Pll smash you, as
big as you are" Accused aud witness were
quickly separated, and the excitement SUBJ
sided.
Schmitt gave up his seat as presiding
officer to Commissioner Edwards aud As
slstant Chief Sullivan acted as special prose-
eutor.
Matthews asked for weeks continuance
in order to secure witnesses. but his request
was denied. The charge against him was
sustained and he was dismissed from the
department.
John Dougherty. driver OF engine s,
was tried on charge Of using vulgar Ian
guage relating to Sullivan and of neglect Of
duty. Although he vigorously denied both
allegations the charges were sustained.
The board decided to suspend judgment for
a week.
THREE ENGINEERS RESIGN.
Then came the sensation Of the day.
District Engineers John Wills, 4. +. Nc
Kittrick and George III. Walsh handed in
their designations, Their communication
stated that they had not received any salary
for two months. aud that they desired 10 Sc
cure more lucrative employment
The designations were accepted. In ex-
planning his vote Commissioner Schmilt
called attention 10 the unfortunate circunl-
stances that compelled the men TO resign.
While there were nc better men in the de-
| partment IL was due TO them to allow them
to procure employment for which they
| would be paid.
Commissioner Edwards moved that the
| Offices held by the resigned men be abol-
| ished. and the motion was adopted without
comment.
Chairman Schmitt said that at a confer
| ence held with the Board OF Supervisors
last Wednesday an understanding was
| reached In which it was agreed that three
| new fre-engines should be put into service
1t was therefore decided to ask the Super
| visors TO place the new engines in commits
| sion, the new engine companies to be
[ known as conf anies 10. % and 81.
With the curtailed force of only five dis
| trict engineers Commissioner Edwards
wanted to know nov fire and Fire Warden
duty could be properly attended to. Chief
Scannell promised TO do the best he could
and the board adjourned.